ABS / traction light on: Codes, Causes & Fixes
When the ABS or traction control light is on, the anti-lock and stability functions are usually disabled while normal braking still works – so allow extra stopping distance, especially on wet or icy roads. The most frequent causes are a wheel speed sensor, its wiring or a dirty or cracked tone ring, followed by low brake fluid and ABS module faults. If the red brake warning light is on as well, or the pedal feels soft, stop driving and have the brakes checked.
65Codes
3.0Average severity
12%High or critical
15%DIY-friendly
Severity distribution
Most viewed
C0035
Chassis
The ABS module lost a valid signal from the driver-side front wheel speed sensor.
Moderate
P0562
Powertrain
The engine computer sees too little supply voltage – usually a charging, battery or ground…
Moderate
U0073
Network
A module saw so many errors on CAN bus A that it shut off its own transmitter.
High
U0121
Network
Other modules stopped receiving data from the ABS module, so ABS and stability control are off.
Moderate
P0500
Powertrain
The engine computer lost its vehicle speed signal – speedometer, shifting and cruise control…
Moderate
P0501
Powertrain
A speed signal exists, but it doesn't match what engine rpm, gear and other sensors say the car…
Low
All codes (65)
C1256
Toyota · Chassis
The brake system's high-pressure accumulator is below its minimum, so power brake assist can't…
Critical
C1300
Toyota · Chassis
The ABS/VSC computer failed its own internal self-test and has shut down ABS and stability…
Moderate
C1391
Toyota · Chassis
The hybrid brake system is losing stored hydraulic pressure internally, so the pump keeps…
High
C1513
Kia · Chassis
The stability control module thinks the brake light switch is lying about whether you're…
Moderate
C1611
Hyundai · Chassis
The ABS/ESC module stopped hearing from the engine computer on the CAN bus and shut off…
Moderate
C2200
Jeep · Chassis
The ABS module found a fault in its own electronics and shut off ABS, traction and stability…
Moderate
P0500
Powertrain
The engine computer lost its vehicle speed signal – speedometer, shifting and cruise control…
Moderate
P0501
Powertrain
A speed signal exists, but it doesn't match what engine rpm, gear and other sensors say the car…
Low
P0503
Powertrain
The speed signal jumps, spikes or reads impossibly high – usually electrical noise or a loose…
Low
P0504
Powertrain
The two contacts in the brake pedal switch disagree on whether you're braking; check the pedal…
Moderate
P0561
Powertrain
System voltage jumps up and down instead of holding steady – often loose terminals…
Low
P0562
Powertrain
The engine computer sees too little supply voltage – usually a charging, battery or ground…
Moderate
P0563
Powertrain
The engine computer sees too much supply voltage – usually an overcharging alternator cooking…
Moderate
P0571
Powertrain
The engine computer doesn't trust the brake pedal switch signal – cruise control usually stops…
Low
P0572
Powertrain
The PCM never sees the brake pedal pressed – brake lights may be out and the car may not shift…
Moderate
P1380
Chevrolet · Powertrain
A misfire was detected, and the ABS module couldn't supply rough-road data to confirm it wasn't…
Moderate
P1381
Chevrolet · Powertrain
A misfire was detected while the PCM had lost contact with the ABS module that supplies…
Moderate
P2504
Powertrain
The charging system is overcharging – too much voltage can boil the battery and damage…
High
P25A2
Chevrolet · Powertrain
The brake module stored a fault and asked the engine computer to turn on the check engine light.
Moderate
U0001
Network
A module found the high-speed CAN network itself misbehaving, not just one silent module.
High
U0073
Network
A module saw so many errors on CAN bus A that it shut off its own transmitter.
High
U0104
Network
The adaptive cruise radar (or cruise module) went silent on the network, so cruise is switched…
Low
U0114
Network
The module that engages the AWD coupling went silent; the car falls back to front…
Low
U0121
Network
Other modules stopped receiving data from the ABS module, so ABS and stability control are off.
Moderate
U0122
Network
Other modules lost contact with the stability control computer, so ESC and traction control…
Moderate
U0126
Network
Modules no longer receive the steering wheel angle, so stability control and lane assist switch…
Moderate
U0128
Network
The electronic parking brake module dropped off the network, so the parking brake may not apply…
Moderate
U0146
Network
The central gateway that links the car's networks went silent, so many modules report errors…
Moderate
U0401
Network
The engine computer is still on the network, but another module doesn't trust the numbers it's…
Moderate
U0415
Network
The ABS module is online, but the wheel-speed data it shares looks wrong to the other modules.
Moderate