VW Dashboard Lights and Meanings (FULL List, FREE Download)

On a sunny day, you’re driving down the road. Everything seems to be going smoothly.

Then, you notice a light illuminating on your dashboard. 

If you are unfamiliar with that symbol, you could be unsure whether you ought to stop or not.

That causes panic, right?

Fortunately, I’m here to give you a VW Dashboard Light Guide to help you quickly identify the problem, and determine the seriousness of the situation.

Also, you’ll get a full list of KIA warning lights and meanings in an image and an E-book (FREE Download) for the next drive.

Let’s take a look at the list below!

VW Warning Lights/Indicators and Meanings

Click the symbols for details if you want.

all red yellow green other

Master Warning Light

(0 view)

Central warning light: Read and follow the text messages in the instrument cluster display.

Parking Brake Indicator Light

(0 view)

Stop! Parking brake engaged

Parking Brake Indicator Light

(0 view)

Stop! Parking brake engaged

Brake System Warning Light

(0 view)

Stop! Brake fluid level too low
Or: Brake system malfunction
Or: Together with the ABS indicator light: ABS failure

Brake System Warning Light

(0 view)

Stop! Brake fluid level too low
Or: Brake system malfunction
Or: Together with the ABS indicator light: ABS failure

Coolant Warning Light

(0 view)

Stop! Engine coolant level too low, engine coolant temperature too high, or engine coolant system malfunction.

Oil Warning Light

(0 view)

Stop! Engine oil pressure too low

Steering Malfunction Indicator

(0 view)

Stop!
Lights up: Steering system malfunction
Stop!
Flashes: Electronic steering column lock malfunction

Safety Belt Warning Light

(0 view)

Driver and/or passenger safety belts not buckled

Front Assist Forward Collision Warning Light

(0 view)

Brake or take action to avoid the vehicle ahead!
Front Assist Forward Collision Warning
Or: Pedestrian Monitoring System Warning

Shift Lock Warning Light

(0 view)

Brake! Depress brake pedal. ACC driver intervention warning

Alternator Malfunction Warning Light

(0 view)

Alternator malfunction

Master Warning Light

(0 view)

Central caution light: Read and follow the text messages in the instrument cluster display.

Electronic Stability Control Warning Light

(0 view)

Lights up: ESC malfunction or ESC switched off by the system
Or: Together with or ABS light: ABS malfunction
Or: The vehicle battery has been reconnected.
Flashes: ESC or ASR is active.

Traction Control System Off Indicator

(0 view)

ASR manually deactivated.
Or: ESC Sport mode manually activated
Or: Together with ESC light: ESC manually switched off

ABS Warning Light

(0 view)

ABS malfunction

ABS Warning Light

(0 view)

ABS malfunction

Electronic Parking Brake Malfunction Light

(0 view)

Electronic parking brake malfunction

Exterior Light Malfunction Light

(0 view)

One or more driving lights burned out

Check Engine Light

(0 view)

Lights up: Engine control malfunction
Flashes: Misfire

Engine Control Malfunction Light

(0 view)

Engine control malfunction

Engine Speed Limited Warning Light

(0 view)

Engine speed (rpm) limited

Steering Warning Light

(0 view)

Lights up: Problem with the steering
Flashes: Steering column not locked/unlocked

Tire Pressure Monitor Indicator

(0 view)

Lights up: Tire pressure too low
Flashes: Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) malfunction

Rain Sensor Fault Indicator

(0 view)

Rain and light sensor malfunction

Windshield Wiper Malfunction Light

(0 view)

Windshield wiper malfunction

Low Washer Fluid Indicator

(0 view)

Not enough windshield washer fluid

Low Fuel Indicator

(0 view)

Fuel tank almost empty

Engine Oil Level Warning Light

(0 view)

Lights up: Engine oil level too low
Flashes: Engine oil system malfunction

Airbag and Safety Belt Pretensioner Malfunction

(0 view)

Airbag and safety belt pretensioner system malfunction

Passenger Front Airbag Off Indicator

(0 view)

Passenger front airbag turned off

Check Gas Cap Indicator

(0 view)

Fuel filler cap not properly closed

Land Assist Indicator

(0 view)

Lane Assist switched on, not active

Transmission Malfunction Indicator

(0 view)

Automatic transmission: Malfunction or transmission overheating
Manual transmission: Clutch does not transfer all of the engine torque

Adaptive Cruise Control Warning Light

(0 view)

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) currently not available

Front Assist Off Indicator

(0 view)

Front Assist switched off

Adaptive Chassis Control Malfunction Light

(0 view)

Adaptive chassis control DCC system malfunction

Glow Plug Light

(0 view)

Glow plugs are operating to help start the engine.

Turn Signal Indicator

(0 view)

Turn signals, left or right
Emergency flashers switched on

Press Brake Pedal Warning Light

(0 view)

Lights up: Brake pedal not depressed
Flashes: The release button in the selector lever is not engaged

Cruise Control Indicator

(0 view)

Lights up: Cruise control is regulating the vehicle speed
Or: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) switched on (if equipped)

Cruise Control Indicator

(0 view)

Lights up: Cruise control is regulating the vehicle speed
Or: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) switched on (if equipped)

Lane Assist Indicator

(0 view)

Lane Assist is switched on and active

Adaptive Cruise Control Warning Light

(0 view)

ACC switched on. No vehicle has been detected ahead

Adaptive Cruise Control Warning Light

(0 view)

ACC switched on. Vehicle detected ahead

Front Assist Distance Warning Light

(0 view)

Increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Front Assist distance warning

Cruise Control Malfunction Light

(0 view)

Cruise control malfunction

High Beam Control Warning Light

(0 view)

Light Assist high beam control switched on

Service Reminder Light

(0 view)

Service reminder display

Phone Charge Level Indicator

(0 view)

Charge level of the mobile phone battery. Applies only to models with a factory-installed mobile phone package

Frost Warning Indicator

(0 view)

Outside temperature colder than +39°F (+4°C)

Auto Start Stop Indicator

(0 view)

Start-stop available. Automatic engine stop is active

Auto Start Stop Off Indicator

(0 view)

Start-stop not available
Or: Start-stop has automatically restarted the engine

Economy Operation Indicator

(0 view)

Fuel-efficient driving display

Consult Owner's Manual Indicator

(0 view)

Refer to the Owner’s Manual

High Beam Indicator

(0 view)

High beams switched on or headlight flashers in use

Now you know what your car is trying to tell you and have a better understanding of Volkswagen dashboard lights.

But it can be challenging to remember exactly the name and meaning of each symbol, right?

No problem!

I’ve compiled the full list of VW warning lights and indicators with their meanings in an image and a PDF E-book for you. 

Don’t hesitate to download them for later use!

VOLKSWAGEN WARNING LIGHTS AND INDICATORS

Get access to my full list of these dashboard lights and become a better driver.

Download My FREE Ebook

What’s Next?

I hope you find this quick guide helpful.

Knowing what’s on your Volkswagen dashboard increases driving security and safety. Warning lights are designed for a purpose, thus you shouldn’t ignore them.

Do you think that is the only way to know what’s going on with your car?

Of course not!

An OBD2 scanner can also do that!

This tool can help you to find the causes behind the warning lights. Don’t miss my review on the Best VW Audi Scan Tools to find the right diagnostic tool for you and your vehicle.