Dashboard lights
What do Volkswagen dashboard lights mean? Explore the instrument cluster icon guide below to learn about your warning light symbols and indicators.
Warning and indicator lights guide
Explore our comprehensive warning lights guide to help you quickly identify what each indicator symbol means.
It’s important to note that the interpretation of lights may vary across different models, so we recommend consulting your owner's manual for more detailed information.
Red warning lights
At least one vehicle door is ajar or not closed properly.
Stop! Engine hood is open or not closed properly.
Stop! Trunk lid is open or not closed properly.
Ignition with malfunction or immobilizer activated.
Lights up: Steering system malfunction. Flashes: Electronic steering column lock malfunction.
Stop! Lights up: Steering system malfunction. Flashes: Electronic steering column lock malfunction.
Driver and/or passenger safety belts not buckled.
DSG transmission too hot.
Stop! Electronic parking brake engaged.
Stop! Brake system malfunction or fluid level too low. OR: Together with the ABS Indicator light ABS failure.
Brake pads worn. Have the brake pads checked and, if necessary, replaced.
Stop! Engine coolant level too low, engine coolant temperature too high, or engine coolant system malfunction.
Stop! Engine oil pressure too low.
Alternator malfunction. OR: Deactivation of electrical consumers.
Cruise control malfunctioning.
Brake! Depress brake pedal. ACC driver intervention warning.
Brake or take action to avoid the vehicle ahead. Front Assist Forward Collision Warning).
Differential lock malfunction.
No engine restart possible. Not enough AdBlue. OR: AdBlue system malfunction.
Error in the hybrid system: stop vehicle at a safe location.
Central warning light: Read and follow the text messaged in the instrument cluster display.
Amber warning lights
Lights up: Tire pressure too low. Flashes: Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) malfunction.
Rear lid open.
Ignition switch or starter button (keyless access) malfunction.
Electronic immobilizer.
Fuel tank almost empty.
Front fog lights switched on.
Parking lights switched on.
Lights up: One or more driving lights burned out. Flashes: Driving light system malfunction or cornering light malfunction.
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) malfunction.
Headlight range adjustment malfunction.
Instrument cluster malfunction.
Central caution light: Read and follow the text messages in the instrument cluster display.
Lights up: Problem with the steering. Flashes: Steering column lock malfunction.
Airbag and safety belt pretensioner system malfunction. OR: Rollover protection system malfunction.
Passenger front airbag turned off.
Windshield wiper malfunction.
Not enough windshield washer fluid.
Rain sensor malfunction.
Transmission malfunction.
Hill Start Assist (Hill Hold) malfunction.
ABS malfunction.
One or more brake lights burned out.
Lights up: Engine control malfunction. Flashes: Misfire.
Engine control malfunction.
Lights up: Engine oil level too low. OR: Oil level too high (diesel engines). Flashes: Engine oil system malfunction.
Engine oil pressure too low. OR: Engine speed (rpm) limited (if equipped, to help prevent overheating).
Fuel filler cap not properly closed.
Engine oil pressure too low. OR: Engine speed (rpm) limited (if equipped, to help prevent overheating).
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.
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).
Cruise control malfunction. OR: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) or Front Assist System malfunction.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Front Assist switched on but not active. Vehicle detected ahead.
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) currently not available.
Front scan system malfunction.
Front Assist switched off. OR: Pedestrian Monitoring switched off.
Blind Spot Monitor malfunction.
Side Assist system malfunction.
Lane Assist switched on. OR: Lane Assist switched on and not active. OR: Lane Assist system malfunction.
Differential lock engaged.
One or more license plate lights burned out.
Malfunction in brake servo functions.
Lights on: CSC roof is being opened or closed. Flashing: CSC roof malfunction.
Refill AdBlue tank or AdBlue system malfunction.
Water in the diesel fuel (diesel engines only).
Lights on: Glow plug preheating before diesel engine start-up. Flashes: Engine control malfunction.
Diesel particulate filter clogged.
Vehicle drives with limited power in absolute reserve mode.
Lights up: Charge the high-voltage battery as soon as possible. Flashes: High-voltage battery is being charged.
Lights up: Electronic engine sound (e-sound) not working.
Stop! Error in the electric drive system.
Fault in the hybrid system: Workshop! Hybrid battery is charging, leave engine running.
Green warning lights
Fog lights switched on (indicator light on the headlight switch).
Parking lights activated.
Daytime running lights on.
Turn signals, left or right. Emergency flashers switched on.
Left or right turn signal for the trailer.
Steering wheel heating.
Lights up: Brake pedal not depressed. Flashes: The release button in the selector lever is not engaged.
Cruise control is regulating the vehicle speed. OR: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) switched on.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Front Assist switched on and active.
Front scan system switched on, active.
Side Assist switched on and active. AKA Blind Spot Monitoring.
Lane Assist switched on and active.
Lights up: Hill Descent Assist switched on. Flashes: Hill Descent Assist is operating.
Hybrid vehicles: Electric drive is ready.
Hybrid vehicles: Extended electro-mode drive active.
White warning lights
Battery in remote control vehicle is dead. OR: No authorized remote control vehicle key found (Keyless Access). OR: Engine cannot be started with starter button (Keyless Access).
Electronic immobilizer active.
Light Assist high beam control switched on (if equipped).
Flashes, alternative with the selector level indicator: Automatic transmission malfunction.
Mobile phone is connected via Bluetooth to the factory-installed mobile phone package.
Charge level of the mobile phone battery. Applies only to models with a factory-installed mobile phone package.
Outside temperature colder than +39 F (+4 C).
Fuel-efficient vehicle status.
Refer to the Owner's Manual.
Service reminder display.
Start-stop available. Automatic stop active.
Start-stop not available. OR: Start-stop has automatically restarted the engine.
Cruise control is switched on, but not active.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is active. Vehicle detected ahead. ACC regulates the speed and the distance from the vehicle ahead. GREY: ACC not active. System switched on, does not regulate.
Side Assist switched on but not active. AKA Blind Spot Monitoring.
Gray: “Side Assist” switched on but not active.
Green: “Side Assist” switched on and active.
Green: “Side Assist” switched on and active.
Lane Assist switched on but not active.
White: Hill Descent on and active. Gray: Hill Descent Control not active. System is turn on, but not regulating.
The off-road driving mode is active (if equipped) 4MOTION Active Control.
Add more AdBlue.
Charging connector is connected to the vehicle charge port.
E-MODE currently not available.
Please pay attention to the message in the instrument cluster display relaying hybrid system information.
Blue warning lights
High beams switched on or headlight flashes in use.
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