What year cars have ABS brakes?

ABS brakes first appeared on a handful of late-1970s models and are now standard on virtually all new cars.

Today, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are a near-universal feature in modern automobiles. The evolution happened over decades: early experimental installations in the late 1970s, broader adoption through the 1980s and 1990s, and regulatory pushes in major markets during the 2000s that turned ABS from an option into a baseline safety feature. The following sections lay out the key milestones and what the current market looks like.

Origins and early adoption

Tracing the roots of ABS shows a progression from rare, luxury- or performance-focused options to widespread standard equipment. The timeline below highlights notable milestones that helped move ABS from novelty to normal feature.

Informative note: The following milestones mark initial introductions and subsequent broad adoption across automakers.



• 1978: Mercedes-Benz introduces the first production anti-lock braking system on a passenger car, developing the technology with Bosch. Early implementations were limited to certain models and markets.


• 1980s: Several automakers begin offering ABS as an option on more models, often on higher-end or performance lines, as the technology becomes more reliable and affordable.


• 1990s: ABS becomes increasingly common across mainstream brands, with many manufacturers offering it as standard or near-standard on a growing share of vehicles.


• Late 1990s to 2000: ABS moves from optional to widely expected, setting the stage for regulatory pushes in major markets.

In summary, ABS began on select vehicles in the late 1970s, expanded through the 1980s and 1990s, and laid the groundwork for widespread standards by the turn of the millennium.

Regulatory adoption timelines in major markets

Government rules and safety programs accelerated the shift from optional to standard ABS. The following points summarize how different regions moved toward universal ABS across new cars.

Informative note: Regional regulatory actions and industry standards helped push manufacturers to equip more cars with ABS.



• United States: By the 2000 model year, ABS was required on all new light vehicles sold in the United States, helping ensure broad, nationwide coverage.


• Europe: Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, ABS became standard on most new passenger cars in the European Union, with widespread adoption by the mid-2000s.


• Asia: Major markets such as Japan, South Korea, and later China and others followed the same trajectory, with ABS becoming standard on the vast majority of new cars by the late 2000s to early 2010s.

Today, ABS is standard on virtually all new cars in these regions, with very few exceptions in low-cost or very old-stock models.

How to tell if your car has ABS

If you’re buying a used car or just curious about a vehicle’s safety features, here are reliable ways to confirm ABS presence.

Informative note: The following steps help you verify ABS without needing detailed specifications.



• Check the dashboard: When you turn the ignition on, the ABS warning light (usually labeled “ABS”) should illuminate briefly and then go out. A malfunction may cause it to stay lit.


• Consult the owner’s manual: The manual will specify whether ABS is equipped and may provide maintenance notes specific to the system.


• Look for the anti-lock function in the brake system: Some cars with ABS may also show a separate brake control unit under the hood or near the wheel wells, but this is not visible from outside.


• Inspect or inquire about related systems: ABS is often integrated with traction control or electronic stability control (ESC). If a vehicle has ESC, it almost certainly includes ABS.

Conclusion: If you see the ABS indicator light during startup, or you have documentation listing ABS or ESC as features, your car is equipped with an anti-lock braking system.

Summary

ABS brakes originated in the late 1970s on select luxury cars, expanded through the 1980s and 1990s, and became a regulatory norm in major markets by the early 2000s. Today, ABS is a standard feature on virtually all new passenger cars worldwide, with rare exceptions mostly among extremely low-cost or older models. For buyers and owners, verifying ABS is straightforward via the dashboard indicator, the owner’s manual, or a discussion with the seller or dealer.

When did ABS start getting used?

The development of ABS technology began with aircraft in 1929, where it was used to prevent aircraft wheels from locking. It wasn't until the 1970s that this technology was introduced to motor vehicles. ABS was first introduced on mass-production cars by Mercedes-Benz in 1978.

How do I tell if my car has ABS or not?

You can tell if your vehicle has ABS by checking for an "ABS" light on the dashboard that illuminates briefly during startup, consulting the owner's manual, or using a VIN decoder online. For a physical check, you can look for speed sensors near each wheel. 
Check the dashboard 

• Turn the ignition to the "on" position, but not to "start." All warning lights should briefly come on, including the "ABS" light, which is often yellow. 
• This light should then turn off after a few seconds. 
• If the light stays on after startup, it may indicate a problem with the system, but the presence of the light during the check confirms the vehicle is equipped with ABS. 

Consult your vehicle's documentation

• Owner's Manual: This is the most reliable source. Check the section on the braking system, and it will clearly state whether your vehicle is equipped with ABS. 
• VIN Decoder: Enter your vehicle's 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into a free online VIN decoder. The report will list your car's features, including whether it has ABS. 

Inspect the physical components 

• Wheel Speed Sensors: Look for a small electrical wire running to the hub of each wheel. If you see wires going to each wheel, it's a strong indicator of an ABS system. 
• ABS Module: The ABS module is typically a metal component located under the hood, often near the master cylinder. You can find images of it online to help you identify it. 

What year did cars start having ABS?

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) was first invented in the 1920s for aircraft by Gabriel Voisin, but the modern electronic system was developed in the 1970s, with Bosch and Mercedes-Benz introducing it for passenger cars in 1978. Earlier iterations existed, including a mechanical system in 1969 and a modern electronic one developed for the Concorde aircraft in the late 1960s.
 
Early developments

• 1920s: French inventor Gabriel Voisin developed an anti-skid system for aircraft brakes, which prevented wheels from locking up during rapid deceleration or on slick surfaces.
• Late 1960s: The first fully electronic ABS was developed for the Concorde aircraft. 

Modern electronic ABS

• 1971: Fiat Research Center invented a system called "Antiskid" and sold the patent to Bosch. 
• 1978: Mercedes-Benz and Bosch introduced the first modern electronic ABS system for production cars, in the S-Class model. 
• 1970s onwards: Other manufacturers, including Ford, Fiat, and Toyota, also introduced their own versions of the technology during this decade. 
• 1971: The Chrysler Imperial was the first production car to feature an anti-lock braking system called "Sure-Brake". 

Widespread adoption

• The technology gradually became standard in more vehicles throughout the 1980s and 1990s. 
• ABS became mandatory in the European Union in 2004 and in the United States in 2013. 

What vehicles have ABS brakes?

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a safety anti-skid braking system used on aircraft and on land vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses.