# Honda Civic aBS warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 15 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (6) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 15 owner complaints about the aBS warning light on the Honda Civic (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (6). There is **1 recall** 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. ## Honda Civic aBS warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the abs light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 6 | 389 | 2% | | 2016 | 3 | 1083 | 0% | | 2017 | 3 | 607 | 0% | | 2018 | 2 | 596 | 0% | | 2022 | 1 | 889 | 0% | 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. ## Honda Civic recalls related to the aBS warning light **[23V430000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V430000)** (2023 models, reported 2023-06-15): Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Honda Civic owners report - "When driving the vehicle the park brake abs and steering control lights come on the vehicle intermittently when driving the vehicle" -- owner of a 2022 Honda Civic, complaint filed 2025 - "On march 27, 2020, I was driving to work when my car's abs lights, brake system lights, stability control lights, and another light I did not recognize all lit up at the same time. My car began to swerve and suddenly my car's steering wheel and front wheels locked up. I lost control of the car and wasn't able to..." -- owner of a 2018 Honda Civic, complaint filed 2020 - "The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the Electronic Power Steering, Evaporative Emission Control System, Check Engine, and Antilock Braking System lights were illuminated; however, the contact had not experienced any failures or malfunctions while operating the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to..." -- owner of a 2017 Honda Civic, complaint filed 2025 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 Honda Civic abs light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (23V430000) covering 2023 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Honda Civic years have the most abs light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Civic model years have the most complaints mentioning the aBS warning light, with 6 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Honda Civic 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 Honda Civic has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Honda 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 Honda Civic warning lights - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-civic): 59 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-civic): 113 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/honda-civic): 83 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/honda-civic): 18 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/honda-civic): 59 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/honda-civic): 25 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 - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/gmc-sierra): 37 complaints ## Honda Civic - [Honda Civic specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/honda-civic) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/honda-civic Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.