What is the most common symptom of a failing wheel speed sensor?

The most common symptom of a failing wheel speed sensor is the illumination of the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) warning light on the instrument panel, often accompanied by other warning lights such as the traction control light or stability control light. A failing wheel speed sensor can also cause the ABS, traction control, or stability control systems to malfunction or become disabled. This can result in the wheels locking up during braking, loss of traction, or erratic vehicle handling. The OBD II system will typically store a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) indicating which wheel speed sensor is malfunctioning. Other potential symptoms include erratic speedometer readings or transmission shifting problems, as some vehicles use wheel speed sensor data for these functions. The ABS warning light is the most consistent and common indicator of a wheel speed sensor issue.