# GMC Sierra aBS warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 37 - **Most complaints:** 2019 (13) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 37 owner complaints about the aBS warning light on the GMC Sierra (2015-2026 models), most for the **2019** model year (13). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If only the ABS light is on and the brakes feel normal, you can drive carefully to a shop, leaving more stopping room. ## GMC Sierra aBS warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the abs light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 5 | 818 | 1% | | 2018 | 5 | 305 | 2% | | 2019 | 13 | 658 | 2% | | 2020 | 7 | 484 | 1% | | 2021 | 3 | 599 | 1% | | 2022 | 1 | 603 | 0% | | 2023 | 3 | 506 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## GMC Sierra recalls related to the aBS warning light **[19V889000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V889000)** (2019 models, reported 2019-12-12): If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. **[19V761000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V761000)** (2015-2018 models, reported 2019-10-24): Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Recall repairs are free at any GMC dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What GMC Sierra owners report - "The message "Service Traction Control" was displayed, and the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it had not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000." -- owner of a 2023 GMC Sierra, complaint filed 2025 - "The contact stated that the check engine, traction control, ABS, transmission, and other unknown warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The vehicle..." -- owner of a 2022 GMC Sierra, complaint filed 2025 - "And then came home parked the car few days later try driving it and then the ABS brake light came on warning me not to go over 65 mph and my brakes pad feel really loose now." -- owner of a 2021 GMC Sierra, complaint filed 2022 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the aBS warning light means The ABS light means the anti-lock brake system has found a fault and turned itself off. Your regular brakes should still work, but the wheels can lock up in a hard stop, especially on wet or icy roads. The most common cause is a failed wheel speed sensor. If the red brake warning light is also on, the problem may affect normal braking and you should stop driving. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Failed wheel speed sensor** (most common) 2. **Damaged sensor wiring or tone ring** (common) 3. **Low brake fluid** (less common) 4. **ABS module or pump failure** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [ABS warning light](/warning-lights/abs). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the GMC Sierra abs light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (19V889000, 19V761000) covering 2015-2019 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which GMC Sierra years have the most abs light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2019 and 2020 Sierra model years have the most complaints mentioning the aBS warning light, with 13 for 2019. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a GMC Sierra with the abs light on? Drive to a shop this week. If only the ABS light is on and the brakes feel normal, you can drive carefully to a shop, leaving more stopping room. Stop driving and have it towed if the red brake light is on too, the pedal is soft or sinks, or the car pulls hard when braking. ### How do I check if my GMC Sierra has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any GMC dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other GMC Sierra warning lights - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/gmc-sierra): 18 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/gmc-sierra): 540 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/gmc-sierra): 58 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/gmc-sierra): 57 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/gmc-sierra): 212 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/gmc-sierra): 180 complaints ## ABS warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/ram-1500): 280 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/jeep-wrangler): 180 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-silverado): 89 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/honda-accord): 72 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/jeep-grand-cherokee): 58 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-traverse): 53 complaints - [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-santa-fe): 45 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-sonata): 42 complaints - [Toyota Prius](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/toyota-prius): 40 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-sorento): 36 complaints ## GMC Sierra - [GMC Sierra specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/gmc-sierra) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/gmc-sierra Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.