When the ABS warning light and traction control light turn on in a 2014 Ford Escape, it’s usually triggered by a malfunctioning wheel speed sensor. Other causes for both lights to come on may include a faulty ABS module, blown fuse, or low brake fluid.
It’s twice as stressful to have two warning lights illuminated on your Escape’s dashboard—especially if you’re not sure how they will affect the vehicle’s driveability. Is it something you can put off for a while? Do you need expensive car repairs
? To help you troubleshoot what might be causing the ABS light and Traction Control light to turn on in a 2014 Ford Escape, we’ve compiled a list of the most common culprits. 
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Why your 2014 Ford Escape ABS light and traction control light turn on
ABS is short for anti-lock braking system. ABS is a safety feature that prevents the wheels from seizing up—especially in instances when you need to brake hard or unexpectedly. ABS can be the difference between getting into a collision and avoiding one. When the ABS warning light
turns on, it’s your Escape’s way of telling you that the system has been disengaged. The traction control light
functions as both a warning light and an indicator light. You may see the traction control light show up on your dashboard intermittently when you’re driving on a slippery road—that just means that the wheel sensors are prompting the traction control module to send more braking power to the wheels. Once you regain better road traction, the light will go off. If the traction control light stays illuminated when you’re not driving in inclement conditions, this is a sign that something could be amiss with the traction control system (TCS). A traction control light that’s accompanied by the ABS light is likely signaling a traction control malfunction
. It’s important to address the presence of both dashboard lights in your 2014 Ford Escape to avoid a dangerous situation behind the wheel. Here are a few common reasons why this pair of warning lights turn on in a 2014 Ford Escape.
Faulty wheel speed sensors
Your 2014 Ford Escape has a wheel speed sensor
—also called an ABS sensor—located on each wheel. The sensors’ position on the wheel exposes them to the elements. Over time, the sensors can get contaminated with dirt or debris while their wires become vulnerable to damage. The TCS and ABS both rely on the wheel speed sensors to function correctly, so usually fixing one or more faulty wheel speed sensors will repair each system. You can pinpoint which wheel(s) have a problem with the speed sensor by using an OBD-II reader.
Broken TCS/ABS control module
TCS and ABS also rely on the same control module in many vehicles. The control module is a computer inside your Ford Escape that oversees the basic ABS functions as well as stability and traction control.
If the control model stops working, the TCS and ABS are negatively affected. When this happens, it’s common for both the TCS and ABS warning lights to turn on at the same time.
Low brake fluid
Anytime the wheel speed sensors detect a slick road surface or rapid deceleration of the wheels indicative of hard braking, the ABS module quickly delivers brake fluid to each wheel in an effort to regain traction.
If there isn’t enough brake fluid to distribute to the wheels, the ABS cannot properly do its job. In addition to the ABS and TCS warning lights turning on, you may also notice that your brakes feel spongy, or weaker than usual—another sign of low brake fluid. These symptoms should be addressed by a professional technician who can tell you if there’s a leak in the brake system or an issue with the hydraulic control unit that’s responsible for pumping the brake fluid.
MORE: How to check and add brake fluid
Blown fuse
A blown fuse disrupts the connection between the wheel speed sensors and the control module. Once the connection is lost, your Ford Escape’s computer responds by triggering the ABS warning light to come on. The traction control light and check engine light may illuminate as well. Scanning the vehicle with an OBD-II reader can help you determine if a fuse or fuse relay has blown.
Traction control system turned off
It’s hard to believe a warning light could turn on for such a simple reason, but if your traction control is turned off the light is your Escape’s acknowledgment that a key safety feature has been disabled.
Be advised that in most cases, turning off the traction control system will result in an illuminated traction control light, not the ABS light. If the traction control light and ABS light are on simultaneously there’s a good chance something else is the problem.
Can you drive with the ABS light and traction control light on?
Technically, yes but you won’t be able to benefit from these crucial safety features if you do. In other words, if you try to brake quickly the ABS won’t be able to send an extra dose of brake fluid to the wheels. Without the traction control system engaged, you have a greater likelihood of losing control of your Ford Escape if you hit a slippery patch in the road.
Keep in mind that seeing the traction control light come on periodically when you’re traveling in rain or snow, then turn off on its own is the traction control module’s way of letting you know it's working. If the light stays on all the time—your system is disabled or you have a mechanical issue. Remember, addressing maintenance concerns on your 2014 Ford Escape timely and thoroughly is the best way to keep your car in good condition for as long as possible.
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