A modern Mazda vehicle can throw different types of codes and messages and this may annoy you. You don’t expect all those warning messages to pop up in the new vehicle and it may be extremely unpleasant. Especially, when the message tells you “Have the Vehicle Inspected”. Is it meant to be inspected when it’s only half a year old?
One of the common things Mazda drivers encounter is the message saying “Dynamic Stability Control Malfunction”. When I asked a Mazda dealership mechanic what it can mean, he laughed at me and said it could mean basically anything and even dealers sometimes struggle to locate the problem. So, I decided to have a look at this problem.
In short, the “Dynamic Stability Control Malfunction” error message in Mazda means that the sensors, control unit, ABS, or TCS are faulty. Or your car may just be dirty. You need to start with cleaning the vehicle and then checking the error codes in the ECU to learn more about the reasons why this message popped up in your Mazda.
What’s Dynamic Stability Control in Mazda?
Before I tell you more about the possible problems, I want to say a couple of words about the system that triggers this error message. What’s this at all?
The Dynamic Stability Control or DSC system in modern Mazda cars is the unit that operates brakes and can regulate engine torque to maintain the stability of your car on the road. It works together with the ABS (for applying brakes when needed) and Traction Control System (TCS) to understand when the car loses stability and needs some assistance.
You can turn the system off by using the TCS button or just by coding the car but I recommend using the system to keep driving safely.
The DSC is a good feature in Mazda vehicles that helps you get control over your car even when it’s snowy or when the car goes at a very high speed. But the system relies on so many sensors and units that it may malfunction pretty often and attack you with annoying messages.
What’s the reason for “Dynamic Stability Control Malfunction”?
Unfortunately, it’s not that easy to say why this error message may have popped up in your Mazda. Also, the car will most likely insist on having the vehicle inspected.
It’s important to notice that some warning lights may also go on the dash. They will help you understand the situation better and make the right decisions on diagnostics. You shouldn’t rely on the warning lights only because they may randomly go on and off when this error message is on the dash, but they are still helpful.
So, here are the most obvious reasons for the “Dynamic Stability Control Malfunction” in a Mazda vehicle:
1. 360-view camera system problem
Although the 360-view system is not connected to the DSC directly, they interact in the control unit somehow and professional mechanics prove that these two systems may malfunction simultaneously.
It doesn’t mean that the 360-view system is always in charge of the DSC problem but it’s worth checking. In this case, you will see the warning light on the right side of the dash – it shows the car with the icons of radar sensors on all four sides.
If this system is faulty, it may be that the problem is just in some dust or mud that covered one of the cameras. This is not a breakdown that needs repair. You will just need to wash your car well and see if the problem disappears.
2. Traction control failure
If your traction control system in the Mazda vehicle isn’t working properly, the Dynamic Stability Control will also malfunction. One of the consequences of this is that you will see the “Dynamic Stability Control Malfunction” message on the dash of your car.
DSC actually uses the traction control system and its functions to stabilize the position of the vehicle on the road.
Also, one part of the traction control system may not be working. It can be one of the sensors, ABS system, control unit, some wires, etc. Diagnosing this problem and finding the proper solution is not that easy. You need to diagnose every little part of the TCS and ABS to see if everything is OK.
Also, you may have turned off the traction control system in your vehicle and this would just cause the problem with the DSC. In this case, you will see the warning lights showing the car with two squiggly lines under it.
3. ABS problems
I’ve already told you that the Dynamic Stability Control system in your Mazda uses ABS to control braking power on each wheel. But how can it do that? It does this through the ABS. The ABS has access to the brakes and can press or release them on each wheel when needed. So, this system helps the TCS and the DSC system to control the braking power on each wheel of your Mazda.
If one of the ABS sensors is off, the system will get wrong readings and will not be able to do its job. That’s why you may see this nasty error message and also the braking system warning light on the dash.
4. Front crash sensor problems
Another unit that can somehow affect the work of the Dynamic Stability Control is the forward crash sensor that your Mazda most likely has. It’s the sensor that monitors the area in front of the vehicle and sends all the readings to the control unit. Once the unit decides that it’s a dangerous situation and a crash is possible, the system brakes automatically and also sends the signal to you.
I can assume that this crash sensor may interact with the DSC because they both use ABS and other braking technologies to control the braking pressure in each wheel. That’s why a problem in one unit can cause problems in another unit.
5. The car is dirty
As you see, quite a lot of sensors, cameras, and radars take part in the work of the DSC system. When sensors or cameras are covered with mud, dust, or water, they don’t work properly. It means that you will need to keep your Mazda clean at all times to let the DSC and other systems work correctly.
Sometimes, you will still need to put up with those error messages like “Dynamic Stability Control Malfunction”. For example, if you are driving on a highway when it’s snowy or rainy, your sensors and cameras may be covered by water, snow, or mud from the road. It means that they won’t be working and will be sending all kinds of error messages on the dash of your Mazda.
But it doesn’t mean that you will have to clean the car after you drive every single mile. Just put up with these lights and go to your destination.
6. Low battery
As my experience shows, your Mazda may start glitching heavily when the battery is not OK or the alternator isn’t offering proper voltage. When the voltage is bad, your electronic modules and units start malfunctioning. This will lead to random error messages, some systems going on and off unintentionally.
The set of warning lights may be pretty misleading, so checking the battery health is one of the first things you should do if you see the “Dynamic Stability Control Malfunction” message in your Mazda. Of course, it’s not the most common issue, but it’s pretty easy to locate and fix without going to professionals.
Can you drive if you see “Dynamic Stability Control Malfunction”?
Whenever your Mazda says “Dynamic Stability Control Malfunction”, the car just tells you that it won’t help you control the stability when cornering or going on a slippery road. So, you should drive carefully and remember that those silent helpers that hold your car on the road whatever happens are now not active.
Seeing this message doesn’t mean that you have to stop your car and call a tow truck.
But here are some signs that you should take immediate action:
- other systems of your vehicle start glitching and throwing codes and messages;
- you hear some strange sounds from under the hood;
- you feel that your vehicle lost power and became hard to steer or handle;
- gas mileage changed dramatically and is now unusually bad;
- other messages keep popping up and they are pretty serious.
Such behavior of your vehicle may mean that it needs some help. The battery may be faulty or some important module needs your attention. But anyway, if you see a lot of different changes in how your Mazda is working now, it’s not the best idea to just keep driving. You need to figure out what happened with the vehicle first.
Final thoughts
Your Mazda has wonderful features that improve the safety, comfort, and also quality of your driving. But a large number of different technological units and parts leads to somewhat unexpected trouble codes, warning lights, and error messages that you don’t expect to see in a car that is not even 3 years old yet.
So, the “Dynamic Stability Control Malfunction” message may disappoint you. But you shouldn’t worry much – in most cases, you will need to wash your car and unblock the sensors. If this didn’t help you get rid of the message, follow my recommendations in this article and you will see that the problem is easily solved.
If nothing helps you, visit the Mazda dealership. If your car is still covered by warranty, avoid any DIY repairs, always go to the dealership for diagnosis and repair.