Honda Dashboard Warning Light Symbols & Meanings

Honda Dashboard Warning Lights

One of the worst things to experience while driving is to see a warning light suddenly pop up on your dashboard. These lights can cause both confusion and worry if you’re not familiar with what they mean. Before you panic or overreact to a dashboard warning light, it’s important to follow a simple rule of thumb regarding their severity. Simply treat each color of the warning light exactly as you would a stoplight.

Germain Honda of Surprise has assembled this quick reference guide that should help provide you with all the information you need to know about what the most common Honda dashboard warning lights are and what they mean.

  • Green (or Blue) Icon – Continue to drive without worry. These are simply informational messages that should not interfere with routine driving.
  • Yellow (or Orange) Icon – Exercise some caution while driving. These alerts could warn you of a potential problem that should be dealt with at your earliest convenience. Generally, they won’t require you to stop driving immediately.
  • Red Icon – Stop driving as soon as it’s safe to do so. Pull over and shut off your engine. Red warning lights are usually signs of a serious problem and you should call an authorized Honda service facility for assistance.

What Do The Dashboard Warning Lights Mean on Your Honda?

Brake System Failure

Brake System Failure

There has been a potential failure detected in your brake system. If you’re driving and this symbol appears, we suggest that you pull safely off the road and call roadside assistance to tow your vehicle to the closest authorized Honda dealership for repair.

Emergency Brake Engaged

Emergency Brake Engaged

Your parking/emergency brake is engaged. Make sure to disengage the emergency brake before driving to prevent unnecessary wear.

Low Oil Pressure

Low Oil Pressure

Check your oil level to verify it’s within the recommended threshold. This may also point to a problem with your oil pressure sensor. Low oil pressure can lead to serious damage to internal engine components due to the loss of lubrication. When safe to do so, contact roadside assistance and have the vehicle towed to a repair facility.

Charging System

Charging System

Fault or failure within the charging system. Without electrical power, your vehicle can shut off and leave you stranded. Find a safe area to pull over, park the vehicle, and call for roadside assistance immediately.

Supplemental Restraint System

Supplemental Restraint System

An SRS fault is an indication of a possible problem with your airbags, causing them to fail to deploy in the event of a collision. Do not drive your vehicle. Call for roadside assistance and have your vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection.

High Coolant Temperature

High Coolant Temperature

Your vehicle is overheating. Engine coolant cannot exceed a certain temperature before it fails to protect your engine. Shut off the engine and pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Seat Belt Reminder

Seat Belt Reminder

Until your seat belt is fastened, this indicator light will remain on the dashboard. Always wear your seat belt!

Door Ajar

Door Ajar

One of the vehicle’s doors is open or not fully shut.

Trunk Open

Trunk Open

Your trunk is open or not completely closed.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive Cruise Control

The Adaptive Cruise Control system is activated and engaged. Use normal caution as you would when driving without this feature.

All-Wheel Drive

All-Wheel Drive

Your vehicle’s all-wheel drive system is active. Power is being directed to all four wheels.

Anti-Lock Brake System

Anti-Lock Brake System

If there’s an issue within the ABS system, this warning light typically pops up next to the brake warning light.

Auto Idle Stop

Auto Idle Stop

Auto Idle Stop briefly shuts off your engine to boost fuel economy and reduce emissions. This light tells you that the system is engaged and working properly.

Blind Spot Warning

Blind Spot Warning

A vehicle has entered your blind spot and the system has issued an alert. Use extra caution when making a lane change or merging.

Check Engine Light

Check Engine Light

Although this light may indicate a wide range of different issues, it appears when the onboard diagnostics system has detected a problem with your vehicle’s emissions, ignition, fuel, or exhaust systems. It’s a smart idea to be proactive and bring your vehicle in for service.

Collision Mitigation Braking System

Collision Mitigation Braking System

Your CMBS has engaged and reacted to a potential collision.

Daytime Running Lights

Daytime Running Lights

This typically indicates that one of your DRL bulbs has malfunctioned or is burnt out and requires replacement.

Electric Power Steering

Electric Power Steering

There’s a problem with your power steering system. Be sure to have a professional inspect your vehicle soon.

Lane Keeping Assist System

Lane Keeping Assist System

Your LKAS system is active, detected that your vehicle has started to drift out of its intended lane position, and took corrective action. Use caution.

Low Fuel

Low Fuel

Your vehicle is running low on fuel. Stop and refuel as soon as possible to avoid becoming stranded on the side of the road.

Maintenance Reminder

Maintenance Reminder

This is a helpful notification that your vehicle is due for scheduled routine maintenance. It’s time to schedule a service appointment with your Honda dealership.

Road Departure Mitigation

Road Departure Mitigation

The RDM system had detected that your vehicle has left the road surface and took corrective action. Use caution.

Smart Entry System

Smart Entry System

This is a sign that the smart entry system has experienced a problem. Some possible culprits are a low/dead keyfob battery or a problem detecting the remote. See your dealer for further inspection.

System Notification

System Notification

Check your vehicle’s information display found in the gauge cluster for additional information.

Vehicle Stability Assist System

Vehicle Stability Assist System

The VSA system has activated due to a loss of traction or there’s a problem within the system.

Washer Fluid Level Low

Washer Fluid Level Low

Add additional windshield washer fluid to your vehicle’s reservoir under the hood. This is especially important during winter weather conditions.

Automatic High Beam Headlights

Automatic High Beam Headlights

Your high beam headlights are being automatically controlled.

Cruise Control

Cruise Control

Cruise control is engaged and your vehicle is maintaining its pre-set speed. Use the same caution you normally would while driving.

Exterior Lights

Exterior Lights

Your exterior lights are turned on. Be sure to switch them off when they’re not needed to save potential battery drain.

Fog Lights On

Fog Lights On

The vehicle’s fog lights are switched on.

Low Coolant Temperature

Low Coolant Temperature

You’ll usually see this light appear when you first start your vehicle. It means that your engine coolant has not reached the recommended operating temperature yet. Avoid heavy acceleration until normal operating temperature has been reached and this light turns off.

Turn Signals

Turn Signals

Your turn signals are activated.

Germain Honda of Surprise – Your Destination for Expert Service

Notice a dashboard warning light on the inside of your Honda? You can trust the team of expert Honda technicians here at Germain Honda of Surprise to diagnose your vehicle. Our team has access to the most current diagnostic equipment and repair tools to fix the problem quickly and accurately. We also carry a complete selection of Genuine Honda parts and components designed specifically for your vehicle. Don’t let a dashboard warning light ruin your day! Visit us at Germain Honda of Surprise today!