# Hyundai Elantra aBS warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 12 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (4) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 12 owner complaints about the aBS warning light on the Hyundai Elantra (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (4). 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. ## Hyundai Elantra aBS warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the abs light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 4 | 262 | 2% | | 2016 | 1 | 293 | 0% | | 2017 | 3 | 770 | 0% | | 2020 | 2 | 255 | 1% | | 2021 | 2 | 162 | 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. ## Hyundai Elantra recalls related to the aBS warning light **[23V651000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V651000)** (2015 models, reported 2023-09-22): An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Hyundai Elantra owners report - "My traction control light, (no matter what speed or acceleration/deceleration.) will flicker on and off, make a horrible noise almost as if the ABS is applying but no ABS light comes on, and the pedals will go stiff and the whole car jerks. My 2021 elantra has had a new transmission put into it AND when that didn't..." -- owner of a 2021 Hyundai Elantra, complaint filed 2022 - "The contact stated that he observed that the ABS warning was illuminated. The contact stated that he had not been injured during the incident. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,520." -- owner of a 2020 Hyundai Elantra, complaint filed 2024 - "My EPS, ABS and electronic stability control lights all came on at once and my steering wheel went stiff while driving on interstate" -- owner of a 2017 Hyundai Elantra, 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 Hyundai Elantra abs light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (23V651000) covering 2015 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Hyundai Elantra years have the most abs light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2020 Elantra model years have the most complaints mentioning the aBS warning light, with 4 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Hyundai Elantra 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 Hyundai Elantra has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Hyundai 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 Hyundai Elantra warning lights - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/hyundai-elantra): 24 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-elantra): 26 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/hyundai-elantra): 26 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-elantra): 317 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/hyundai-elantra): 26 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-elantra): 72 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/hyundai-elantra): 67 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/hyundai-elantra): 20 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/hyundai-elantra): 24 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 ## Hyundai Elantra - [Hyundai Elantra specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-elantra) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-elantra Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.