Ford Bronco ABS Sensor Location: Year and Wheel 1987-2026
The Ford Bronco ABS sensor location depends on the Bronco generation. On 2021 to 2025 full-size Broncos, a wheel-speed sensor is fitted at each wheel, so you have left-front, right-front, left-rear, and right-rear sensor locations.
Older Broncos are different. The 1987 to 1996 rear-wheel anti-lock system uses a speed sensor at the rear differential, while some later classic Broncos also have front wheel-speed sensors at the steering knuckles.
Before following any diagram, confirm whether you have a full-size Bronco or Bronco Sport. They use different platforms and should not be treated as the same ABS layout.
Ford Bronco ABS Sensor Location by Generation
Use the model-year layout first. Modern full-size Broncos use wheel-speed sensors at all four wheels, while classic Broncos use a different rear ABS arrangement.
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The rear ABS speed sensor is positioned at the upper differential area.
Which Ford Bronco ABS Sensor Layout Do You Have
Your Bronco’s model year determines where you should look for the ABS wheel-speed sensor.
| Bronco Model | ABS Sensor Layout | Main Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 to 2025 full-size Bronco | Individual wheel sensors | One at each wheel |
| 2021 to 2025 Bronco Raptor | Individual wheel sensors | One at each wheel with different front sensor fitment |
| 1993 to 1996 Bronco | Front wheel sensors plus rear ABS speed sensing | Front steering knuckles and rear differential |
| 1987 to 1992 Bronco | Rear-wheel ABS arrangement | Rear differential housing |
| Bronco Sport | Different platform | Use Bronco Sport-specific service information |
Ford parts information for the sixth-generation Bronco identifies separate modern front and rear ABS sensors. For 2024 non-Raptor models, Ford catalog data lists MB3Z-2C205-A for the driver-side front and MB3Z-2C204-A for the passenger-side front.
The 2024 rear brake catalog lists MB3Z-2C190-H as an ABS sensor on both driver and passenger sides.
If you are unsure whether you own a full-size Bronco or the smaller crossover, our Bronco vs Bronco Sport comparison explains the platform difference.
Once you know which Bronco you have, finding the correct wheel sensor becomes much easier.
Where Are the Four ABS Sensors on 2021 to 2025 Broncos
The 2021 to 2025 full-size Bronco uses an ABS wheel-speed sensor at each wheel position.
You do not need to search for one central wheel sensor. Start at the wheel named by your scan tool and trace the sensor harness from the wheel hub or knuckle area toward its electrical connector.
Left Front ABS Sensor
The left-front wheel-speed sensor sits at the left-front wheel knuckle and hub area.
Remove the wheel if you need a clear view. Look behind the brake rotor and around the steering knuckle for a small electrical sensor with a wire running upward from the wheel end.
Ford wiring documentation identifies C150 as the left-front wheel-speed sensor connection on the sixth-generation Bronco. A connector-location diagram places it near the left-front suspension area.
The harness is secured along the suspension and brake-hose route rather than hanging loose.
Right Front ABS Sensor
The right-front ABS sensor uses the same general layout on the opposite side.
Look behind the passenger-side front wheel at the knuckle and wheel hub area. Follow the small electrical wire away from the sensor until you reach the harness connection.
Ford connector documentation identifies C160 as the right-front wheel-speed sensor connection.
Ford parts catalogs also show separate passenger-side and driver-side front sensors on non-Raptor Broncos, so do not assume the two front replacement parts are always interchangeable.
Left Rear ABS Sensor
The left-rear wheel-speed sensor is located at the left-rear wheel-end and brake assembly.
Look behind the rear brake rotor around the hub and backing-plate area. A small electrical harness runs from the wheel sensor toward the axle and body-side wiring.
Ford technical instructions for Bronco rear suspension work specifically direct technicians to remove the left-rear wheel-speed sensor bolt and position the sensor aside before continuing the repair. The same document shows the sensor around the rear wheel and brake assembly.
That factory procedure confirms the rear sensor is located at the wheel end rather than in the center differential on the modern Bronco.
Right Rear ABS Sensor
The right-rear sensor mirrors the left-rear arrangement.
Look around the passenger-side rear hub and brake assembly for the sensor and its electrical lead. Trace the harness away from the wheel to separate it from parking-brake or axle-related wiring.
The rear ABS parts catalog lists the modern rear sensor for both driver and passenger sides.
If your scan tool reports LF, RF, LR, or RR, those abbreviations tell you exactly which of these four wheel positions to inspect.
How to Identify the ABS Sensor Behind the Wheel
The easiest way to identify a Bronco ABS sensor is to find the small electrical wire attached to the wheel knuckle or hub area.
A brake hose is much thicker and carries hydraulic brake fluid. The wheel-speed sensor uses an electrical harness with clips and a connector.
On the front suspension, Ford Performance instructions show the wheel-speed sensor wire being retained along the brake hose and suspension area. Ford specifically instructs technicians to position the wire, attach its retainers, and secure it to the brake hose during reassembly.
Look for these parts in order:
- Wheel hub or bearing area
- Steering knuckle or rear wheel-end housing
- Small ABS sensor body
- Electrical pigtail from the sensor
- Harness retaining clips
- Electrical connector farther up the harness
Do not mistake the flexible hydraulic brake hose for an ABS wire.
A Bronco equipped with electronic locking differentials can also have additional axle wiring. Follow the wire directly from the wheel sensor rather than choosing a connector based only on where it sits.
The ABS control module is another completely different component. If you need to identify that unit, see our guide to where the Ford ABS module is located.
That distinction prevents a common problem: searching under the hood for an “ABS sensor” when the actual fault is at one wheel.
Where Is the ABS Sensor on 1987 to 1996 Broncos
Classic Broncos use a different ABS arrangement from the 2021 and newer design.
For 1987 to 1996 Bronco applications, parts and service references place the primary rear ABS wheel-speed sensor at the rear differential housing. It enters the differential from the upper area and reads rear axle speed for the rear-wheel anti-lock system.
To find it, crawl underneath from the rear of the truck and locate the differential housing in the center of the rear axle.
Look on top of the housing for a small sensor with an electrical connector. The driveshaft entering the differential from the front gives you an easy reference point.
The basic layout looks like this:
Front of Bronco
|
Driveshaft
|
Differential
[ABS]
Sensor
/ \
Left Axle Right Axle
There is one important exception.
Parts information for 1993 to 1996 Broncos also lists front ABS wheel-speed sensors located at the steering knuckles. Ford replacement information describes locating the right or left front sensor on the steering knuckle, disconnecting the electrical connector, and removing its hold-down bolt.
So a 1993 to 1996 owner should not assume that every ABS-related fault points to the rear differential sensor.
Use the ABS diagnostic code and the exact model-year service procedure before replacing anything.
Which ABS Sensor Should You Inspect First
Do not replace the easiest wheel-speed sensor just because the ABS warning light is on.
Start by scanning the ABS module with a Ford-capable scan tool. A basic engine-code reader may not display chassis and ABS module faults.
Use this position guide when reading scan data:
| Scan Position | Wheel Location |
|---|---|
| LF | Left Front |
| RF | Right Front |
| LR | Left Rear |
| RR | Right Rear |
If the scan tool identifies one wheel, inspect that sensor first.
Follow this order:
- Read ABS diagnostic trouble codes.
- Record which wheel position is identified.
- View individual wheel-speed live data if your scanner supports it.
- Compare the suspect wheel with the other three while the truck moves safely.
- Inspect the sensor wiring and harness clips.
- Inspect the connector for bent, loose, wet, or contaminated terminals.
- Check the sensor mounting area for damage or debris.
- Diagnose the encoder or wheel bearing if the sensor circuit appears normal.
Do not erase the code before recording it. The stored code can save considerable diagnostic time.
Ford issued an especially useful warning for some 2025 Broncos. SSM 53875 states that certain brake warning messages with C003A, C0037, C2005, or C2006 variants may be related to ABS software. Ford specifically says replacing the ABS module or wheel-speed sensors will not correct that condition when the listed reset procedure clears the faults.
That means a 2025 Bronco with an ABS warning needs code-based diagnosis before parts are ordered.
What If the ABS Sensor Looks Fine but the Light Stays On
A wheel-speed sensor can look normal and still have a circuit problem somewhere else.
The sensor is only one part of the speed-signal path. Wiring, connectors, the wheel-end encoder, bearing condition, or ABS software can also affect the signal.
Check these areas before buying another sensor:
| What You Find | What to Check Next |
|---|---|
| Cut or stretched wire | Harness continuity and routing |
| Loose harness clip | Wire rubbing or suspension contact |
| Dirty connector | Terminal condition and contamination |
| Sensor not fully seated | Mounting surface and retaining bolt |
| Sensor looks normal | Live wheel-speed data |
| One wheel reads differently | Sensor, encoder, bearing, and wiring |
| New sensor has same fault | Circuit and wheel-end diagnosis |
| 2025 software-related codes | Ford SSM procedure before replacement |
Suspension work deserves extra attention.
Ford’s Bronco service procedures repeatedly show the wheel-speed sensor wire attached around brake and suspension hardware. If a lift, shock replacement, control-arm job, or other suspension work leaves the wire stretched or incorrectly clipped, the sensor circuit can develop a problem even though the sensor body itself is intact.
Bronco Raptor owners also need to verify parts by VIN. For 2024 models, catalog data lists different front ABS sensor part numbers for Raptor and non-Raptor applications.
Physical location is similar, but part fitment is not always the same.
How Bronco Raptor ABS Sensor Fitment Differs
The Bronco Raptor still uses wheel-speed sensors at the wheel ends, but its front sensor fitment differs from a standard Bronco.
For 2024 non-Raptor models, Ford catalog data identifies:
- MB3Z-2C205-A for the driver-side front
- MB3Z-2C204-A for the passenger-side front
For the Raptor application, the same catalog lists NB3Z-2C204-A as the front ABS sensor and marks it for driver and passenger sides.
This difference matters when shopping for a replacement.
Use your VIN and current Ford catalog information instead of ordering by “2024 Bronco ABS sensor” alone.
For 2026 Broncos, VIN-specific verification is the safest approach because the accessible Ford-derived catalogs used for this research currently provide confirmed sensor fitment through 2025 rather than a complete 2026 sensor listing.
Ford Bronco ABS Sensor Location Quick Reference
Use this table once you know your Bronco generation.
| Bronco | Sensor Position | Where to Look |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 to 2025 | Left Front | Driver-side front knuckle and hub |
| 2021 to 2025 | Right Front | Passenger-side front knuckle and hub |
| 2021 to 2025 | Left Rear | Driver-side rear wheel-end and brake assembly |
| 2021 to 2025 | Right Rear | Passenger-side rear wheel-end and brake assembly |
| 2024 Raptor | Front | Front wheel knuckle area with Raptor-specific sensor fitment |
| 1993 to 1996 | Front | Left and right steering knuckles |
| 1987 to 1996 | Rear ABS Sensor | Top of rear differential housing |
The biggest mistake is using the classic rear-differential location for a sixth-generation Bronco.
A 2021 to 2025 full-size Bronco has individual wheel-end sensors. A classic Bronco can use the rear differential speed sensor, with later classic applications also using front wheel sensing.
Bronco Sport owners should use Bronco Sport-specific diagrams rather than this full-size Bronco location table.
How to Find the Correct Sensor Without Guessing
Finding the Ford Bronco ABS sensor location starts with the model year and the wheel identified by the ABS module.
For a 2021 to 2025 Bronco, look at the corresponding wheel hub and knuckle area. Trace the small electrical harness from the wheel-end sensor toward its connector instead of confusing it with a brake hose or locker wire.
For an older Bronco, inspect the rear differential sensor first only when the diagnostic information points you toward the rear ABS circuit. Later classic models can also have front sensors.
After repairing the actual fault, clear the ABS codes only after the circuit has been checked. Our Ford ABS light reset guide covers the reset side of the process.
Correct identification first saves you from replacing a good sensor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is the ABS Sensor Located on a Ford Bronco
On a 2021 to 2025 full-size Bronco, there is an ABS wheel-speed sensor at each wheel assembly. The front sensors sit around the steering knuckle and hub, while the rear sensors sit around the rear wheel-end and brake assemblies.
Does a Ford Bronco Have One ABS Sensor or Four
A modern 2021 to 2025 full-size Bronco uses four wheel-speed sensor positions, one at each wheel. Classic Broncos use a different system, including a rear differential-mounted ABS speed sensor on 1987 to 1996 applications.
Where Is the Rear ABS Sensor on a 1996 Ford Bronco
The rear ABS speed sensor on a 1996 Bronco is mounted at the rear differential housing. The 1996 model can also have front wheel-speed sensors at the steering knuckles, so scan the ABS system before assuming the rear sensor caused the warning.
Is the Bronco ABS Sensor Part of the Wheel Bearing
The wheel-speed sensor is serviced as a separate sensor on the modern Bronco, while the wheel-end system provides the rotating speed reference it reads. A bad signal can therefore require checking the sensor, harness, wheel-end encoder, and bearing condition rather than replacing the sensor automatically.
Can a Bad Bronco ABS Sensor Trigger Other Warning Lights
Yes. Loss of reliable wheel-speed information can affect systems that depend on ABS wheel-speed data, but an ABS-related warning does not prove the sensor itself has failed. Ford has documented certain 2025 Bronco warning conditions that can result from ABS software rather than a defective wheel-speed sensor.
Are Bronco and Bronco Sport ABS Sensor Locations the Same
No. The Bronco Sport uses a different platform and should be diagnosed using Bronco Sport-specific diagrams and service information. Do not use a full-size 2021+ Bronco sensor diagram as a direct Bronco Sport replacement reference.
