# Kia Sportage aBS warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 5 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (1) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 5 owner complaints about the aBS warning light on the Kia Sportage (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (1). 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. ## Kia Sportage aBS warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the abs light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 1 | 146 | 1% | | 2017 | 1 | 404 | 0% | | 2019 | 1 | 71 | 1% | | 2020 | 1 | 166 | 1% | | 2023 | 1 | 195 | 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. ## Kia Sportage recalls related to the aBS warning light **[22V051000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V051000)** (2015-2016 models, reported 2022-02-02): 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 install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. **[21V137000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V137000)** (2017-2021 models, reported 2021-03-04): An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs... Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Kia Sportage owners report - "One time I was driving and my ABS light came on and off quickly as if it were stuck and the car started to pull me off the road as I tried to accelerate. I was told there may be a software issue with my vehicle and that they would take months to fix it if they can. I am concerned for my safety at this point." -- owner of a 2023 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2025 - "Engine Overheated lights on dash HECU ABS ADAS CRUISE CONTROL TIRE SENSOR WINDOW DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY AUTO DIMMER RADIO BLANKS OUT WATER PUMP WENT OUT TOW TRUCK DAMAGED MY CAR. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY DAMAGES UNTIL I WAS ACCUSED BY DEALERSHIP I HIT SOMETHING AS I DID NOT. I HAVE WITNESSES N PICTURES." -- owner of a 2020 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2025 - "The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated, and Hill Descent Assist message was displayed. The contact also stated that while in park(P), the speedometer intermittently fluctuated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the wheel speed sensor..." -- owner of a 2019 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2024 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 Kia Sportage abs light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (22V051000, 21V137000) covering 2015-2021 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Kia Sportage years have the most abs light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2019 Sportage model years have the most complaints mentioning the aBS warning light, with 1 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Sportage 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 Kia Sportage has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia 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 Kia Sportage warning lights - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-sportage): 14 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-sportage): 8 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-sportage): 14 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-sportage): 202 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-sportage): 22 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sportage): 76 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-sportage): 19 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-sportage): 8 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 ## Kia Sportage - [Kia Sportage specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-sportage) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-sportage Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.