ŠKoda Octavia Recall R/2017/198: Abs/esc System May Fail, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 28 Jun 2017
- Launched
- 2,369
- vehicles in the UK
- 45F4
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Škoda recalled Octavia vehicles built between 1 May 2008 and 31 May 2010. With ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. The dealer will fit where necessary a new ABS/ESC control unit. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
With ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. This may cause failure of the ABS/ESC system.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: ABS/ESC SYSTEM MAY FAIL Defect: On vehicles with ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. This may cause failure of the ABS/ESC system Remedy: On affected vehicles install new software. Where necessary a new ABS/ESC control unit will be fitted.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause failure of the ABS/ESC system.
The Fix
The dealer will fit where necessary a new ABS/ESC control unit. The fix is a software update, which usually takes under an hour at the dealer.
Are You Affected?
Octavia built between 1 May 2008 and 31 May 2010 may be included. Škoda estimates 2,369 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Škoda, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Škoda.
- Book with any franchised Škoda dealer, quoting the campaign code 45F4 or the DVSA reference R/2017/198. See how to get a Škoda recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabia, Octavia, Rapid, SuperbReplacing TAKATA driver airbag | Urgent | R/2026/342 | |
| Citigo, Fabia, Octavia, Rapid and 3 moreTakata drivers side front airbag | Urgent | R/2026/002 | |
| Octavia, SuperbOn certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment | Urgent | R/2024/017 | |
| OctaviaCertain vehicles may be fitted with a wheel bearing housing containing cavities in the material | Book soon | R/2023/222 | |
| Citigo, Fabia, Kodiaq, Octavia and 3 moreOn affected vehicles from a certain production period there is a possibility that the gas generator cover could be damaged when the driver's airbag is activated | Urgent | R/2023/086 |
This is one of 61 Škoda recalls in DVSA’s data. The Škoda recall launched before it was R/2017/192 on 22 Jun 2017, for parts of seat belt pretensioner may be dislodged on deployment. The one launched after it was R/2017/319 on 28 Nov 2017, for rear wheel bearing housings may be incorrectly manufactured and could fail prematurely. You can also see every Škoda recall, all recalls launched in 2017 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2017/198, launched 28 June 2017. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.