It's almost certainly a wheel sensor rather than the ABS module itself. They can be damaged during a brake job, etc.

or cheap, vs the cost of running someone down.

ABS does not significantly shorten stopping distances. It does provide improved steering control during brake applications that would otherwise exceed available traction, but I think it's extremely rare that ABS would be the difference between a pedestrian collision vs not. (They could just as easily choose a car that didn't have ABS as originally equipped and no one would say anything about the omission.)

> They could just as easily choose a car that didn't have ABS as originally equipped and no one would say anything about the omission.

That’s the kind of failure case I wish fancy electronics had. Component breaks = now you’re driving a lower trim-level. As opposed to $5000 touchscreen module dies and now you can’t use the car.

you do realise the point of things breaking is so that people would be coerced to make a new purchase...

Being able to control the vehicle during emergency braking would ostensibly allow you to steer around the obstacle or pedestrian prior to impact.

It does in skid conditions by detecting the slippage and releasing and reapplying the brake far faster than you could alone.