The oxygen sensor and the ABS (Anti-lock Breaking System) have nothing to do with each other.

 

I know that they function independently, but according to this info pulled, the abs control unit is listed here. I am curious if an electrical failure in the O2 sensor will trigger the lights assuming it is somehow linked to the VDC system.

It seems the O2 sensor needs to be replaced anyways, so we shall see.

 

I suspect the code reader you are using is not 100% compatible with the vehicle so you are either getting wrong codes (ABS) or you are not getting all the codes.

The O2 sensor may not be faulty, it could be a wiring fault OR an earth/ground fault caused by loose or corroded wiring/connections.

A DTC (diagnostic trouble code) points to a problem it does not pinpoint the problem. You have to use trouble shooting methodology and diagnostic tools to find the source of the problem.

“Throwing” parts at a problem is a quick way to become frustrated and poor very quickly.

Seagrass

 

What Seagrass said. System is so interrelated that a single fault cascades through the system. Like the loose gas cap disabling cruise, ABS, traction control, etc... Follow the whole diagnostic process.
80K is early for O2 sensor to fail, but not unheard of. And just like the gas cap, O2 sensor will trigger ECU fault that disables ABS, cruise, traction, so the sensor is a maybe. But you won't know for sure till you work through the whole diagnosis.

 

Need to follow the diagnostics for resolving the code as found in the service manual.

As already stated, only takes one code to have a cascading effect.

 

I get it, that is the plan for the weekend. I was just looking for other input, if anyone had experienced it (or similar) before.

 

Hello, I know this is an old post, but I would be very interested in hearing if the OP found a solution to this issue. I'm having almost the identical problem with my 2015 Outback.

 

Ok, here was my solution, in case it helps anyone. Since this error was intermittent for me, I kicked the problem down the road a bit, but then I started getting it all the time.

One of the other replies was right on when saying the error code was not read properly. The android app "Car Scanner" (link below) has updated their codes recently and now reads my 2015 Outback errors properly (link below).

Car Scanner ELM OBD2 - Apps on Google Play

Trip computer+car diagnostic tool with widest variety of features and dashboard!

play.google.com

What I ended reading after the update was the following (see below), which in my case indicated the right read ABS sensor. Also, for some reason the power steering was tied into this error as well, as the steering was very sluggish and two of the error codes are related to the steering. Replacing the ABS sensor fixed the issue. It's a fairly easy fix and $35 from the dealer. Just make sure you get the correct sensor location, as there is a bracket included that appears to be directional.

Also, the new sensor read a little over 4 Mega Ohms on my meter, where as the old faulty sensor read around 25 Mega Ohms. It would be laborious, but this could be an alternate diagnosis method if you don't have the ability on hand to read the codes properly.

C1231
Raw code: 5231
ECU: ABS control unit
Status: Test failed (current drive cycle), Confirmed, Test failed since last DTC clear

============2==============
C1232
Raw code: 5232
ECU: ABS control unit
Status: Confirmed, Test failed since last DTC clear

============3==============
C2541
Raw code: 6541
ECU: Power steering
Status: Test failed (current drive cycle), Pending, Confirmed, Test failed since last DTC clear

============4==============
C2548
Raw code: 6548
ECU: Power steering
Status: Test failed (current drive cycle), Pending, Confirmed, Test failed since last DTC clear