C0045 on Ford
Left Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Circuit
C0045 on Ford vehicles indicates left rear wheel speed sensor circuit. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Ford model — most commonly on Focus. This is a brake/ABS-system code. Each wheel has a speed sensor that tells the anti-lock brake (ABS), traction control, and stability systems how fast that wheel is turning. C0045 means the ABS module has detected an electrical problem in the circuit for the left rear wheel speed sensor — such as an open, short, or signal that's missing or out of range. As a result you'll typically see the ABS and traction/stability warning lights, and those safety features may be temporarily disabled even though your normal brakes still work. Typical repair costs on Ford range from $250 to $500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of C0045
- •Failed left rear wheel speed sensor
- •Damaged, corroded or disconnected sensor wiring/connector
- •Damaged or contaminated tone/reluctor ring (rust, debris, missing teeth)
- •Excessive air gap between sensor and tone ring
- •Wheel bearing wear affecting the sensor (on bearing-integrated sensors)
- •Water intrusion or corrosion in the connector
- •Faulty ABS control module (less common)
C0045 on Ford by Model
Ford Focus(1 issue)
- Rear Wheel Bearing Premature Failure (1st-Generation Mk1/Mk1.5)2000-2007
1999-2007 Ford Focus (1st-generation Mk1 and Mk1.5) suffer from repeated rear wheel bearing failures, often within months of replacement. One Focus Fanatics owner reported the left rear wheel bearing failing 4 times in 7 months. Root cause is missing or degraded inboard spindle seals that allow brake dust and water into the bearing race, plus alignment drift (excessive negative camber or toe) accelerating wear. Ford acknowledged the seal design in owner communities but never issued a formal recall. Replacement requires the full hub assembly. The 2012-2018 Mk3 Focus has separate bearing issues with different root causes (not covered by this entry).
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View C0045 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does C0045 mean on Ford?▼
C0045 stands for "Left Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Circuit." This is a brake/ABS-system code. Each wheel has a speed sensor that tells the anti-lock brake (ABS), traction control, and stability systems how fast that wheel is turning. C0045 means the ABS module has detected an electrical problem in the circuit for the left rear wheel speed sensor — such as an open, short, or signal that's missing or out of range. As a result you'll typically see the ABS and traction/stability warning lights, and those safety features may be temporarily disabled even though your normal brakes still work. On Ford specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes C0045 on Ford vehicles?▼
Common causes on Ford: Failed left rear wheel speed sensor, Damaged, corroded or disconnected sensor wiring/connector, Damaged or contaminated tone/reluctor ring (rust, debris, missing teeth), Excessive air gap between sensor and tone ring, Wheel bearing wear affecting the sensor (on bearing-integrated sensors). Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix C0045 on a Ford?▼
Repair costs on Ford range from $250 to $500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Ford models have C0045 documented?▼
Au7o has documented C0045 on 1 Ford model: Focus.