Volkswagen Warning Lights

Red VW car warning lights 

Red warning lights are the most severe and indicate a severe problem with your car. If you see a red VW dashboard warning light, then regardless as to what it means you should pull over as soon as it's safe to do so and seek assistance. 

Airbag and seatbelt system fault

This warning light means that there is a fault somewhere in the airbag or seating system of your car. You should book a service right away so that we can investigate and rectify the system’s error. 

Bonnet

If this warning light appears, then stop your vehicle when it is safe to do so and check that the bonnet is closed correctly. If the light remains on, then you should book your car in for a service with us so that we can investigate.

Boot 
If the boot warning light comes on, then pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and check that your boot lid is shut correctly. If the light remains on, then you should book your car in for a service to investigate why.

Brake system 

The brake system light usually indicates that your handbrake is on, or your brake fluid level is low. Check that your handbrake is not on and then check that your brake fluid levels are normal. If the light remains on, then you should book a service as there could be a different brake system fault. 

Doors

The doors warning light usually indicates that one or more of the doors are not properly latched. Check that all of your doors are shut, and if the light remains on, then you will need to book your car in for a service to check the locking mechanisms.

Electronic parking brake

If this light appears while you are driving, then it means that your electronic parking brake is on and you should pull over as soon as possible to turn the parking brake off. If for any reason the light remains illuminated, then you will need to book your car in for a service to find out why. 

Engine cooling system 

If this light appears while you are driving, then it means that your car is overheating. Switch off your engine immediately and check your coolant levels. If the light remains on and your coolant levels are normal, then you should seek roadside assistance or book your car in for a service.

Engine oil pressure

The engine oil pressure warning light indicates that your oil levels are low. If they are low, then top them up, and the light should go out after five seconds. If the light does not go out, then you should not continue driving and will need to call roadside assistance. 

Front Assist - Red 

If a red front assist warning light appears while you are driving, then it means that Front Assist has detected that you are at risk of collision and you should break immediately or take evasive action. The light will automatically deactivate when the threat has passed. 

Ignition switch

If the ignition switch light is amber or red, then you should drive to your nearest service centre without delay. If the light is red, then do not turn off your vehicle as you may not be able to restart it.  

Power-assisted steering - Red

If you see the red power-assisted steering light, then you should stop the car immediately. Remove the ignition key and wait 30 seconds before restarting your vehicle, if the light goes out, then the problem has been rectified. If it remains on, then you will need to seek assistance. 

Seat belt buckles

The seat belt buckles light indicates that someone has not got their seatbelt on. 

Steering lock

If the steering lock warning light is red, then you must not drive the vehicle and should seek assistance. If the light is amber, then this indicates a malfunction in the steering lock, and you should have it repaired right away.

Vehicle charging system 

The red vehicle charging system light indicates that there is a fault with your alternator or charging system. You should seek assistance.

Worried about one of these lights that is illuminated? Book a service today

Amber VW car warning lights

Amber warning lights indicate that action is required to rectify a less severe issue or fault.

Adaptive cruise control

An amber adaptive cruise control light means that ACC is not currently available. 

Adaptive light system

This light means that your headlights will no longer dip automatically. They should still operate manually. Book your vehicle in for a service to fix the adaptive light system. 

​Adaptive suspension dampers

This light means that there is a fault with your adaptive suspension. You should seek assistance straight away.

Airbag off 

The yellow airbag off warning light means that the front passenger airbag is disabled. 

Airbag and seat belt system

This light means that there is a fault in the airbag and seat belt system. You should book your car in for a service immediately and drive carefully to the centre.

Air suspension

This light means that there is a fault with your air suspension. This could affect your ground clearance, and you should book your vehicle in for a survive straight away. 

Anti-lock brake system

This light means that there is a fault with your ABS. Your vehicle should still brake normally; however, you should have it serviced to restore ABS functionality. 

Automatic gearbox malfunction 

This light means that there is a fault with your gearbox and is sometimes accompanied by a message in your driver information system. Action will be required, so book your vehicle in for a service ASAP. 

Blind spot monitor

The yellow blind spot monitor light will light up briefly to indicate the system is activated. If the light remains on then, an object has been detected in your blind spot​

Brake lights

This warning light appears to indicate that one or more of your brake light bulbs is no longer working. You should have your brake light bulbs checked and replaced immediately.

Brake pad monitoring

This light indicates that your brake pads are worn down and need replacing. 

Bulb monitoring

This light indicates that one or more of your exterior bulbs is no longer working. Check all exterior bulbs and replace any that are faulty.

Convertible roof

The convertible roof light will turn on while the roof is opening and closing. If it remains on then, this indicates a fault in the system which will need to be rectified before further use.

Diesel particulate filter

The diesel particulate filter light can mean many different things, and so it is best to have your vehicle seen by a professional straight away. 

Electronic parking brake - Yellow

The yellow electronic parking brake light means that there's a fault with your electronic parking brake that needs to be fixed straight away. 

Electronic stability programme

If your ESP light is flashing intermittently while you are driving, then it means that the ESP system is intervening. If the ESP light is on constantly then this implies that ESP has been disabled. 

​Emission control/Engine management lamp

If the engine light is on, then you should take your car in for a service immediately.

Engine management lamp

If the EPC light is illuminated, then you should drive very slowly to have your engine checked. 

​Engine oil level

If the yellow engine oil lamp is illuminated, then it usually means that your engine oil level is low. The light should go out once the engine oil has been topped up. 

​Front assist - yellow (OFF)

The yellow front assist sign means that your Front Assist system is off.

Fuel tank cap

If the fuel cap warning light is illuminated, then you should check that your fuel tank cap is on correctly.

​Glow Plug/Diesel engine management lamp

It is normal for this light to appear for a few seconds while the glow plugs warm up. If it remains on while the engine is running, then there is a fault with the engine management system, and you should seek assistance. 

Headlight range control

This light indicates that there is a fault with the headlight range control system which will require repair.

Key not in vehicle

This light will appear if the key has been removed from a vehicle with a keyless entry system.

Lane assist

This light will come on if Lane Assist cannot detect any road markings. If there is a fault with the system, then it will come on and be accompanied by a fault message. 

Low fuel level

The low fuel warning light will come on when your tank has reached its reserved level. You should fill up your vehicle immediately. 

Power steering system

An amber power steering light indicates that there could be a fault in your power steering system. You should have your vehicle serviced immediately. 

Press clutch pedal

This light only appears in vehicles that have a Clutch Pedal Light. To turn the light off you need to press and hold the brake pedal while moving the gear lever out of the park position. 

​Rain and light sensor

This light indicates that there is a fault with your rain and light sensors which may cause your wipers and lights not to function automatically. You will need to have the vehicle serviced to restore proper use. 

Rear fog lights

This light signifies that the rear fog light is on. 

Rear spoiler

This light signifies that there is a fault in the rear spoiler system in vehicles fitted with an adjustable spoiler.

Recharge AdBlue (yellow)

A yellow AdBlue light signifies that the Adblue level of your vehicle is getting low. Top it up immediately. 

Recharge AdBlue (white)

A white Adblue light means that your vehicle only has 1500 miles worth of Adblue remaining. It will turn yellow when it reaches 1000 miles. Prepare to top up your AdBlue. 

Towing hitch

This light indicates that the towing hitch is not connected correctly. Check that the hitch is engaged correctly. 

Tyre pressure monitoring

This light indicates that the pressure in one or more of your tyres is low. Check your tyre pressures and adjust accordingly. 

Water in a diesel fuel tank

This light signifies that there is water in your diesel tank. Do not drive your vehicle and seek assistance. 

Windscreen washer fluid level

This light indicates that your washer fluid levels are low and require topping up. 

Worried about one of these lights that is illuminated? Book a service today​

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Green VW warning lights 

Green VW warning lights are for information only and do not require any action to be taken.

Adaptive cruise control

The green adaptive cruise control light indicates that adaptive cruise control is on. 

Cruise control

The green cruise control light indicates that standard cruise control is on. 

Electronic parking brake

This light indicates that the electronic parking brake is on. (It will turn amber if the parking brake remains on and you move the vehicle).

Lane assist

A green Lane Assist light signifies that lane assist is on and that road marking can be detected. 

​Press brake pedal

For vehicles with an automatic transmission, this light indicates that the break should be pressed. 

Worried about one of these lights that is illuminated? Book a service today