Tech, especially in vehicles, is a love/hate relationship.
Tech has dramatically increased the intervals between maintenance. But, unfortunately, maintenance is now something that requires access to servers with firmware that can "talk" to your vehicle.
Any one old enough to remember the true muscle cars prior to the Arab Oil Embargo in '73 can appreciate how easy it was to tune your engine. All you needed were 8 spark plugs, new points, condenser, rotor button, distributor cap and paper matchbook cover (yep, .032" thick...what you needed to set the gap on the points). But, your were replacing the points every 3000 miles if not sooner. And, I've had a strong engine just simply quit due to a failed condenser. But, I always knew what was going on and how to fix and always had spare components in the trunk.
Today, that's not going to happen. My now sold '03 F-250 died going down the highway. Turned out the camshaft sensor failed. After checking all fuses and relay, a look under the hood just caused a whole lot of head scratching with Zero results. I guess I should have paid more attention to the Ford recall letter concerning the camshaft sensor I received 6 months earlier!
The CHECK ENGINE light. Can be view many different ways.
1. It is an EPA idiot light.
2. It means I'm not going to pass my next state safety inspection (I no longer have to worry about this one).
3. Or you're engine is about to blow up.
For about $50 you can buy a OBD or OBD2 scanner/reader and read the diagnostic codes and reset the Check Engine Light. If there is a serious mechanical issue, the light will reappear and then you can decide if failed components are a safety factor.
Just be aware, regardless of your state of residence, if you are involved in an accident involving a fatality, the Highway Patrol or appropriate agency WILL scan your vehicle, read the codes and previous resets.
ABS...I know of no state that allows you to operate your vehicle on public highways without factory installed safety devices operating. And ABS is considered safety equipment, just like your seat belts. Obviously if a safety device has failed and you're driving to get the problem fixed is a possible argument for defending the reason one is driving.
Sadly, we no longer live in a day/age where YOU can decide or choose your course of action in public. State and Federal regulations now make the determination for you. Thus, if caught operating a faulty vehicle, the cost can be a mere traffic court appearance or a whole lot more serious venue if injury or death is involved.
I guess you have to determine the amount of risk you're willing to accept. Jail time isn't worth saving $2800 to me.
Case in point and not related to faulty equipment...
A neighbor lost her 4 month old granddaughter in an auto accident. Her son, D-I-L and granddaughter were stopped at a traffic light. A 19yo female, texting while driving, rear ended them doing 45. Never hit her brakes. The baby, securely and properly strapped in her car seat in the back seat died from a broken neck.
Even with the grieving family asking the court for leniency, the 19yo must serve 24 months in prison, 5 years of supervised probation and can not apply for a restricted driver's license until she is 32.