Why are the ABS and brake lights on in my Toyota Yaris?

Short answer: On the 2007–2011 Yaris, the ABS light and red brake light coming on together very often means a rear wheel speed sensor (the sensor that tells the ABS computer how fast each wheel turns) has lost its signal, usually because the connector behind the rear wheel is corroded. Owners fixed many of these by cleaning the connector and packing it with grease. If the wiring is rotten, the harness or hub needs replacing.

Symptom: The yellow ABS light and red brake light stay on; sometimes the ABS kicks in at low speed when it shouldn't; it often starts after driving in slush, salt or rain.

What to check first

1. Check the brake fluid level and the parking brake first, since the red light also warns about those.
2. Read the ABS codes. C0210 is the right-rear speed sensor circuit and C0215 the left-rear.
3. Pull the rear wheel and look at the sensor connector near the hub. Crusty green or white corrosion is the usual culprit.
4. Clean it with electrical or brake cleaner and pack it with grease, then drive a couple of cycles.
5. If it comes back, check the harness for broken wires, then the hub/sensor assembly.

Likely causes

1. Corroded rear speed sensor connector. The fix that worked for owners in both threads.
2. Rotted rear sensor wiring harness. Owners say the plastic can crumble when you unplug it.
3. Failed sensor inside the rear hub. On this car the rear sensor is sealed in the hub bearing.

What it usually costs

Cleaning and greasing the connector costs almost nothing. One owner paid about $340 at a dealer for the rear sensor and harness repair; another expected roughly £300 for a dealer rear hub with the sensor. Prices are from owner posts.

Is it safe to keep driving?

The regular brakes still work, but ABS (the system that keeps wheels from locking in a hard stop) is off. Leave more following distance, especially in rain or snow, and get it fixed. If the red light stays on, also check the brake fluid. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

DIY for most owners. Cleaning the connector is about an hour with basic tools. Harness or hub replacement is a moderate DIY or a simple shop job.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Service bulletin: Toyota bulletin TSB-0120-08 covers an ABS warning light with codes C0210 or C0215 (rear speed sensor circuits) on some 2007–2008 Yaris (bulletin summary). A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known problem; it isn't a recall, so it may not be free.
• Recalls: NHTSA lists no recall for the ABS or brakes on the Toyota Yaris for these model years (checked 2026-10-23). Other recalls may exist for your car, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• NHTSA complaints: 67 keyword-matched complaints for Toyota Yaris 2007–2011 (of 732 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-23; keywords: ABS, wheel speed sensor, brake warning light). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In ABS BRAKE light FIX sedan on YarisWorld, a 2007 sedan owner whose ABS and brake lights were on all the time found the rear connectors visibly crusty. He sprayed them with brake cleaner, packed them with grease and the lights went off after two drive cycles. Another owner fixed the same lights after Minnesota slush by spraying contact cleaner into the connector, and a UK owner said packing it with grease fixed his too.
• In ABS faults C0210 & C1238, an owner had brief unwanted ABS activation before the lights came on. Members said the rear sensor is sealed inside the bearing, to clean and grease the connector first, then replace the harness, then the bearing. One said the right-rear ABS fault is a typical Yaris problem and the wiring fell apart when unplugged; the dealer charged him about $340.

Quick tip

Before you buy any parts, pull the rear wheels and clean those connectors. It fixes a lot of these.

Vehicle focus: 2007–2011 Toyota Yaris sedan and hatchback.

Safety / mechanic note

With ABS off, the wheels can lock in a hard stop. Verify with a mechanic.