What Your VW Dashboard Warning Lights Mean
Dashboard Indicator Lights
Something unusual appear on your dash? The rules for indicator lights are the same for traffic lights: If it's yellow, be cautious and check it out as soon as possible. If it's red, pull off the road safely-then stop the engine and call for assistance.
Below are the possible warning lights you may experience with your Volkswagen and what they mean. **If you have any concerns call our Service Department immediately at 518-864-3610. And if you are looking for items to accessorize your Volkswagen, like floor mats, mud guards, cargo liners and WeatherTech products, be sure to head to our VW Accessory Shop.
Common Red Warning Lights - Common Yellow Warning Lights - Common Green Warning Lights - Common Blue Warning Lights
Car Door Open/Ajar
This light comes on when a door is open or not closed properly.
Engine Hood Open
Stop! Make sure that your hood is closed properly.
Trunk Open
Stop! Trunk lid is open or not closed properly.
Ignition Malfunction Light
Ignition with malfunction or immobilizer activated.
Steering System Malfunction Light
Lights up: Steering system malfunction. Flashes: Electronic steering column lock malfunction.
Steering System Malfunction Light
Stop! Lights up: Steering system malfunction. Flashes: Electronic steering column lock malfunction.
Seat Belt Light
Driver and/or passenger safety belts not buckled.
DSG Transmission Too Hot
Stop! Do not continue driving (allow the transmission to cool with the gear shifter in park position).
Electric Parking Brake Warning Light
Stop! Electronic parking brake engaged.
Brake System Warning Light
Stop! Brake system malfunction or fluid level too low. OR: Together with the ABS Indicator light ABS failure.
Brake Pad Warning Light
Brake pads worn. Have the brake pads checked and, if necessary, replaced.
Coolant Level Low Coolant Temperature High
Stop! Engine coolant level too low, engine coolant temperature too high, or engine coolant system malfunction.
Oil Pressure Warning
Stop! Engine oil pressure too low.
Alternator Malfunction
Alternator malfunction. OR: Deactivation of electrical consumers.
Cruise Control Warning
Cruise control malfunctioning.
Depressed Brake Pedal Warning
Brake! Depress brake pedal. ACC driver intervention warning.
Front Assist Forward Collision Warning
Brake or take action to avoid the vehicle ahead.
Differential Lock Malfunction Warning
Differential lock malfunction.
AdBlue No Restart Warning
No engine restart possible. Not enough AdBlue. OR: AdBlue system malfunction.
Hybrid Drive System Malfunction
Error in the hybrid system: stop vehicle at a safe location.
Central Warning Light
Central warning light: Read and follow the text messaged in the instrument cluster display.
Antilock Braking System (ABS) Malfunction
If there is an ABS malfunction, the ABS warning light comes on in combination with the brake warning light.
Rear Lid Open
Stop! Rear lid is open or not closed properly.
Ignition Switch/Starter
Ignition switch or starter button (keyless access) malfunction.
Transmission Malfunction
Have the system checked immediately by a Volkswagen authorized dealer or service facility.
Particulate Filter (Diesel Engines)
Filter blocked with soot. See owner's manual.
Low Fuel Level
Please refuel.
Steering
Stop the vehicle and do not continue to drive (3x audible warning).
- Yellow Solid: Power steering assist reduced
- Yellow Flashing: Malfunction in the electronic steering column lock
- Red Solid: Power steering assist failure
- Red Flashing: Malfunction in the electronic steering column lock - 1x audible warning
AdBlue Level Warning
Refill AdBlue tank or AdBlue system malfunction.
Brake Light Bulb Failure
One or more brake lights burned out.
Fog Lights
Front fog lights switched on.
Parking Lights
Parking lights switched on.
Driving Lights
Lights up: One or more driving lights burned out. Flashes: Driving light system malfunction or cornering light malfunction.
Adaptive Front Lighting System
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) malfunction.
Headlight Range
Headlight range adjustment malfunction.
Instrument Cluster
Instrument cluster malfunction.
Central Caution Light
Central caution light: Read and follow the text messages in the instrument cluster display.
Fuel Cap Off Or Missing
Fuel cap off or missing.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
Tire pressure low or system failure (1x audible warning).
AdBlue System Malfunction Warning
AdBlue system malfunction or not filled to standard AdBlue.
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Check brake pad.
Oil Level
- Lights up: Engine oil level too low or too high (diesel engines).
- Flashes: Engine oil system malfunction.
Oil Pressure
Engine oil pressure too low or engine speed (rpm) limited (if equipped, to help prevent overheating).
Washer Fluid Low
Fill with washer fluid (1x audible warning).
Bulb Failure
- Solid: Bulb failure
- Flashing: Headlamp leveling or AFS defective
Engine Control Malfunction
Lights up: Engine control malfunction. Flashes: Misfire.
Airbag
Airbag and safety belt pretensioner system malfunction. OR: Rollover protection system malfunction.
Passenger Airbag
Passenger front airbag turned off.
Windshield Wiper Malfunction
Windshield Washer Fluid
Not enough windshield washer fluid.
Rain sensor
Rain sensor malfunction.
Hill Start Assist
Hill Start Assist (Hill Hold) malfunction.
Electronic Power Control (Exhaust Gas)
Engine malfunction - bring in for service.
Immobilizer
Incorrect Key. Key not adapted to vehicle.
Electronic Immobilizer
Incorrect Key. Key not adapted to vehicle.
Rain Sensor Malfunction
Switch the ignition off and on again. If the light stays on, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or service facility.
Diesel Engine Pre-Glow Before Engine Start-Up
- Solid: Diesel engine pre-glow system is switched on
- Flashing: Malfunction in the diesel engine
ESP/ASR
- Solid: ESP/ASR inactive
- Flashing: ESP/ASR event
ASR/ESC
ASR manually deactivated. OR: ESC Sport mode manually activated. OR: Together with ESC OFF: ESC manually switched off (only possible in off-road or custom off-road mode).
ESC Malfunction
Lights up: ESC malfunction or ESC switched off by the system. OR: Together with ABS malfunction. OR: The vehicle battery has been reconnected. Flashes: ESC or ASR is active.
Cruise Control
Cruise control malfunction. OR: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) or Front Assist System malfunction.
Adaptive Cruise Control/Front Assist
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Front Assist switched on but not active. Vehicle detected ahead.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) currently not available.
Front Scan System
Front scan system malfunction.
Front Assist/Pedestrian Monitoring
Front Assist switched off. OR: Pedestrian Monitoring switched off.
Blind Spot Monitor
Blind Spot Monitor malfunction.
Side Assist System
Side Assist system malfunction.
Lane Assist System
Lane Assist switched on. OR: Lane Assist switched on and not active. OR: Lane Assist system malfunction.
Differential
Differential lock engaged.
Brake Servo Function
Malfunction in brake servo functions.
CSC Roof
Lights on: CSC roof is being opened or closed. Flashing: CSC roof malfunction.
Diesel Fuel
Water in the diesel fuel (diesel engines only).
Absolute Reserve Mode
Vehicle drives with limited power in absolute reserve mode.
High-Voltage Battery
- Lights up: Charge the high-voltage battery as soon as possible.
- High-voltage battery is being charged.
Electronic Engine Sound
Lights up: Electronic engine sound (e-sound) not working.
Electric Drive System
Stop! Error in the electric drive system.
Hybrid System
Fault in the hybrid system: Workshop! Hybrid battery is charging, leave engine running.
License Bulb License Plate Bulb Failure
One or more license plate lights burned out.
Shift Lock
Brake must be applied to shift vehicle into gear.
Daytime Running Lights
Daytime running lights on.
High Beams On
High beams switched on or headlight flashes in use.
Still unsure what your dashboard light means? We can help. Give our Service Department a call at 518-864-3610 and we'll quickly let you know what your car may be telling you.