5 reasons why your ABS light shows up on your dashboard
Wednesday 30th July 2025
When a dreaded warning light appears on your dashboard, it can be stressful – especially if you don’t know what’s causing it. One of the most common alerts is the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) warning light, which can be triggered by a variety of issues. In this guide, we’ll explain the five most common reasons your ABS light might come on, whether it’s safe to continue driving and what steps you can take to resolve the issue.
What is an ABS system?
The ABS system is a vital safety feature that helps you to stay in control of your vehicle if you need to brake suddenly. Instead of locking the wheels, ABS rapidly pulses the brakes, reducing the risk of skidding. This is especially important in poor weather conditions when your vehicle’s tyres struggle to maintain sufficient contact with wet or icy road surfaces.
One of the main safety benefits is that it allows you to steer when braking heavily, keeping you in control of the vehicle. If you’ve ever had to brake hard, such as in an emergency, you may have felt a pulsing sensation from the brake pedal – this is the ABS system in action.
What happens when your ABS light comes on?
When your ABS light appears on your dashboard, your standard brakes will still function. However, the ABS system itself may be disabled. Meaning that in an emergency, your wheels could lock up, increasing the risk of skidding and losing control of your car.
Why did my ABS light come on?
1. Low brake fluid levels
Your ABS system relies on brake fluid to operate. If the brake fluid level is too low, your ABS system is unable to function, triggering the warning light.
Worn brake pads can reduce the fluid levels in the master cylinder reservoir because more brake fluid is needed to fill the spaces normally occupied by the pads. Leaks and evaporation will also reduce levels of brake fluid over time so regular checks and top-ups are essential.
Read our guide on when to replace your brake pads. Or, if you suspect your brake fluid is leaking, book a free brake check for peace of mind.
2. A faulty wheel speed sensor
Each wheel has a sensor that tracks its speed. If even one of the sensors fail, the ABS system can’t determine whether the wheels are locking or rotating, which triggers the ABS warning light.
Driving in adverse weather conditions can cause dirt, grit and salt to build up around the sensor and interfere with the signal, causing it to fail. General wear and tear, damage or corrosion can also interfere with performance.
3. An electrical fault
As the ABS system depends on electrical signals from the wheel sensors to work, any damage to the system, such as a blown fuse or faulty wiring, can interfere with the sensors and trigger the warning light.
4. A malfunctioning ABS module
The ABS module is the control system responsible for receiving and reading the data from the wheel sensors. If it fails to interpret the data, it can’t manage the brake pressure effectively and triggers the warning light.
5. Wheel alignment or tyre issues
If the ABS warning light activates after having new tyres fitted or your wheels realigned, then they could be the culprit. Improper wheel alignment can result in incorrect sensor readings, as can a tyre change, especially if the tyre is mounted incorrectly, is a different size or is over or underinflated.
That’s why we recommend changing your tyres in pairs, and having them fitted by a trusted professional like Formula One Autocentres.
Can I drive with the ABS light on?
Technically yes, you can still drive with the ABS warning light on, but it’s not recommended. With your ABS system disabled, you’ll still be able to brake, but in an emergency your wheels could lock and you could lose control of your vehicle.
How do I get my ABS light to turn off?
You can’t simply switch your ABS light off. A dashboard warning light is your car’s way of telling you that there’s a problem. To resolve it, you’ll need to address the root cause of the issue.
