# Volkswagen Jetta aBS warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 10 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (6) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 10 owner complaints about the aBS warning light on the Volkswagen Jetta (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (6). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. 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. ## Volkswagen Jetta aBS warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the abs light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 2 | 194 | 1% | | 2016 | 6 | 164 | 4% | | 2017 | 2 | 160 | 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. ## Is there a recall for the Volkswagen Jetta aBS warning light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Volkswagen Jetta has 32 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Volkswagen Jetta page](/vehicles/volkswagen-jetta) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Volkswagen Jetta owners report - "The light with the skidding car, the abs light, and the airbag light came on. As I continued, it happened twice more on my way home." -- owner of a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta, complaint filed 2021 - "When the car gets started I have airbag light, power steering light, tire, pressure light, abs light, and traction control light all on. The lights stay on. But the car drives okay. The lights do not go off. For a while they would turn off after a few mins. Now they stay on while driving." -- owner of a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, complaint filed 2019 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 Volkswagen Jetta abs light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Volkswagen Jetta years have the most abs light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Jetta model years have the most complaints mentioning the aBS warning light, with 6 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Volkswagen Jetta 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 Volkswagen Jetta has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen Jetta warning lights - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/volkswagen-jetta): 35 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/volkswagen-jetta): 14 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/volkswagen-jetta): 110 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/volkswagen-jetta): 22 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/volkswagen-jetta): 14 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/volkswagen-jetta): 13 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/volkswagen-jetta): 9 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 ## Volkswagen Jetta - [Volkswagen Jetta specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/volkswagen-jetta) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/volkswagen-jetta Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.