What does this cost in your state?
California is the costliest state and Arkansas the cheapest; each square shows that state's midpoint of the estimate.
Lower-cost states ($158)MiddleHigher-cost states ($201)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $201 and AR the lowest at $158, across 51 states.
Counts below are complaints filed with NHTSA, not failure rates: a longer bar means more owners reported it.
Is your car affected?
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is under 50,000 (70%), against 60% for all complaints: the biggest difference between the two.
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is 3-5 years (45%). The biggest difference from all complaints is under 3 years old: 29% against 40%.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
240 owner complaints name this part.
Owners say the dealer could not fix or repeat the problem. If it comes back after a repair, ask what was tested before you pay again.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster leads at 39%.
Owners reported it most often at highway speed. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
How serious did it get for owners?
Among the 240 owner complaints naming this part, being towed is the outcome owners report most often.
What it shows: Towed is the largest at 7, followed by Crash reported at 4; the smallest shown is Injury reported at 1.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 240 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2016 is the largest at 52 (22%); the smallest shown is 2020 at 7 (3%).
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 2 foreign recall campaigns that name wheel speed with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Subaru of America in 2021-11.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-11 | Subaru. | 257 | Description of non-compliance: If vehicle vibration occurs while the EPB is operating, the wheel speed sensor signal may cause the VDC module to interpret the vibration as vehicle motion due to an incorrect control program. |
| 2019-08 | Suzuki Motor | 162 | When the supply voltage drops below 6.6 volts, the ABS unit sends a wheel speed error signal to the inertial sensor. |
How many lives has stability control saved?
NHTSA estimates electronic stability control (FMVSS 126) saved 500 car occupants and 824 light-truck occupants in 2012 alone, and 6,024 occupants from 1960 to 2012.
| Technology | Car occupants saved in 2012 | Light truck occupants saved in 2012 | Car occupants saved 1960 to 2012 | Light truck occupants saved 1960 to 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| electronic stability control (FMVSS 126) | 500 | 824 | 2,420 | 3,604 |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 1 NHTSA recalls that name wheel speed filed 2015 to 2024, 67.4% of the 172 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 56 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Mercedes-Benz Amg Gt | 172 | 67.4% | traction control system |
If this part was recalled, is the repair free?
Federal law (49 U.S.C. 30120) requires a maker to fix a recalled defect without charge for cars first bought within 15 calendar years (tires within 5), and NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for parts matched to a wheel speed sensor replacement since model year 2015, covering about 653,543 vehicles.
| Rule or count | What it says |
|---|---|
| Age limits | The free-remedy duty does not apply to a car first bought more than 15 calendar years, or a tire first bought more than 5 calendar years, before the recall notice. |
| Failure to fix | A repair not done adequately within 60 days of presentation is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time; the maker must then replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price less depreciation. |
| Free remedy | A maker must fix a recall defect without charge. |
| NHTSA recalls matched to a wheel speed sensor replacement since model year 2015 | 3 recall campaigns covering about 653,543 vehicles |
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V-761 | Chevrolet Suburban 2015–2020; GMC Yukon 2015–2020; Chevrolet Tahoe 2015–2020 and 2 more | 652,967 | 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. |
| 19V-213 | Honda Odyssey 2018–2019 | 404 | If the rear wheel speeds cannot be correctly monitored, the anti-lock brake system may not engage properly to prevent the wheels from locking up, increasing the risk of crash. |
| 22V-042 | Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 2021 | 172 | A damaged speed sensor wiring harness can impair dynamic control functions, such as stability and traction control, and anti-lock brakes, increasing the risk of a crash. |
NHTSA defect investigations naming this part (1)
| Case number | Vehicles | Opened | Status | What NHTSA looked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE20014 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 2015–2018; Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 2015–2018 | Sep 21, 2020 | Closed Mar 30, 2021 | Rear wheel speed sensor. |
A bulletin is a repair procedure a maker sends its dealers, not a safety defect: if your maker is listed, ask the dealer whether one covers your car and quote its number.
| Maker | Vehicles | Bulletin number | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivian | R1T 2022 | RCA-14-22-002-1 | Jun 8, 2022 | Rivian is initiating a customer satisfaction campaign for some model year 2022 R1T vehicles that may have been built with a low clearance condition between the front wheel speed sensor wire harness and the front dust shield. |
| Rivian | R1T 2022 | RCA-78-22-001-1 | Jan 14, 2022 | Rivian is initiating a customer satisfaction campaign for some model year 2022 R1T vehicles that may experience a rear wheel liner wire harness (electronic parking brake and wheel speed sensor) pulling out of the harness holder during full wheel droop. |
| Jeep | Wrangler 2020–2021 | 9004311 | Oct 21, 2020 | SENSOR, Wheel Speed Please call FCA Redacted Content prior to replacing a rear wheel speed sensor for one of the following fault codes: C003A-1D and or 2F (right rear wss circuit current out of range or signal erratic) C0037-1D and or 2F (left rear wss. |
| Jeep | Compass 2018–2020; Renegade 2018–2020 | 05-001-20 | Oct 2, 2020 | Replacement of Front and Rear Wheel Speed Sensors Due to Oxidation or Water Intrusion Setting Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) This bulletin involves replacing all four wheel speed sensors due to oxidation or water intrusion into the sensor. |
| Ford | Escape 2020 | TSB 20-2323 | Sep 21, 2020 | Some 2020 Escape/Corsair vehicles built on or before 2-Sep-2020 may exhibit an illuminated anti-lock brake system (ABS) and/or stability-traction control lamp with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) C0031, C0034 and/or C0051. |
| Chevrolet | Silverado 2500 2020 | PIT5707 | Sep 9, 2019 | This Preliminary information communication provides information to the dealer about vehicles with the ABS light or Service Stability Message displayed with C050A or C0504 DTC's set. |
35 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
Manufacturer warranty extensions naming this part (1)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep | Wrangler 2007–2010 | Jun 4, 2018 | 05-022 | Front brake caliper hoses corroded at crimps causing fluid. |
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Brought into Ford dealer for diagnosis at 723 miles: Tech notes indicated that the abs tone ring was not manufactured correctly and was hitting the ABS wheel speed sensor.
Just hit 50,000 miles on vehicle, changed front brakes, Rotors and pads as well as the front Wheel Speed Sensors.
Rear driver's side wheel speed sensor began to fail intermittently at 10K miles (confirmed and replaced under warranty by dealership, no longer have access to the failed part but can provide dealer contact info).
Now in late Sept (less than 3000 miles later) the ABS, traction control and Service AWD light on the dash AGAIN and dealership said it niw needs ABS sensor replaced, the module had water in the ABS module.
Check your car
Replacing one wheel speed sensor costs $106–$258 at a $120/hr shop, $134–$313 at $175/hr, and $212–$516 for two sensors. The complaint data shows a manufacturer service bulletin on the owner's model and year in 9.3% (29 of the 311), so ask the shop for the bulletin before you approve the job.
The RAM 2500 (35 complaints, most from 2016, 2017, 2018 models, median 60,000 miles) leads the complaint list.
One in five wheel speed sensor complaints says the dealer could not fix it or the repair had to be repeated
After the warning light, the most common thing owners describe is a repair that did not hold. A 2016 Volkswagen Passat owner wrote: "In less than 51,000 miles 3 wheel speed sensors have required replacement." (NHTSA complaint #11430116) A 2015 Chrysler 300C owner reported a sensor failing about every 2,000-3,000 miles. When a new sensor fails again that quickly, the cause is often the harness, the connector or the ABS module. Before you pay for a second sensor, ask the shop to check those parts.
Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups account for the most wheel speed sensor complaints
The Ram 2500 leads this part's complaints, with most reports on 2016-2018 models and a median of 60,000 miles. The Ram 3500 is second. Together they outnumber every other model on the list, and the Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500 follow.
Frequently asked questions
Do wheel speed sensors go bad?
Yes. Owners filed wheel speed sensor complaints, and the Ram 2500 leads with 35 complaints at a median of 60,000 miles. One in five complaints said the dealer could not fix it or the repair had to be repeated. A 2016 Volkswagen Passat owner wrote that 3 wheel speed sensors had needed replacement in less than 51,000 miles.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA recall file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA defect investigation file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- CalcScrape calculator model scaled by BEA Regional Price Parities data from 2024
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA, Lives Saved by Vehicle Safety Technologies and Associated Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, 1960 to 2012 (DOT HS 812 069) data from 2015
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall quarterly reports (basis of the Annual List of Recall Completion Rates) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- 49 U.S.C. 30120 (Remedies for defects and noncompliance), text via Cornell Legal Information Institute; NHTSA recall campaigns data from 2026
Terms: US government data, public domain.
Observed: records as filed; owner reports are unverified and are not failure rates. Modeled: our estimate, not a quote. Derived: computed from the records; an association, not a cause. Rule: a published legal rule, not a measurement; whether it covers a given repair depends on the car and the facts.
Owner complaints quoted
What is our own estimate
The price range comes from our calculator's formula. Its parts prices, labor hours per job and shop-rate tiers are CalcScrape estimates, not a published price dataset. Checked against RepairPal's range ($234–$310) on 2026-10-06: our default's midpoint is 0% above the middle of that range. Methodology