Lexus NX dashboard symbols and warning lights
Every light in the Lexus NX owner's manual, 2015 to 2021. Tap a light to see what it means and what to do. Red means stop safely, amber means get it checked soon.
2015 to 2021 NX warning lights
Brake system warning light
Stop safely
The manual says: Indicates: zThe brake fluid level is low; or zThe brake system is malfunctioning →Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
What to do: Check the parking brake is fully released. If the light stays on, the brakes may not work properly: stop and get help rather than driving on.
Charging system warning light
Stop safely · usual colour
The manual says: Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system →Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
What to do: Turn off everything you can (A/C, heated seats, radio) and drive straight to a garage or home. Do not switch the engine off until you get there, as it may not restart.
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Low engine oil pressure warning light
Stop safely · usual colour
The manual says: Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low →Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
What to do: Pull over safely and turn the engine off. Check the oil level when the engine has cooled. If the level is fine and the light stays on, have it towed.
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High coolant temperature warning light
Stop safely · usual colour
The manual says: Indicates that the engine is overheating →Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
What to do: Pull over and switch off. Do not open the radiator cap while hot. Once cool, check the coolant level and look for leaks.
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Brake system warning light
Check soon
The manual says: Indicates a malfunction in the electric parking brake →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
What to do: Check the parking brake is fully released. If the light stays on, the brakes may not work properly: stop and get help rather than driving on.
Malfunction indicator lamp
Check soon · usual colour
The manual says: Indicates a malfunction in: zThe electronic engine control system; zThe electronic throttle control system; or zThe electronic automatic transmission control system →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
What to do: If it flashes, slow down and get the car checked straight away. If it is steady, check the fuel cap is tight, then have the code read. An OBD2 scanner reads it in a minute.
More about the check engine light · Shop OBD2 scanners on Amazon
SRS warning light
Check soon · usual colour
The manual says: Indicates a malfunction in: zThe SRS airbag system; zThe front passenger occupant classification system; or zThe seat belt pretensioner system →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
What to do: The car drives normally, but get it checked soon. Do not try to repair airbag parts yourself.
ABS warning light
Check soon · usual colour
The manual says: Indicates a malfunction in: zThe ABS; or zThe brake assist system →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
What to do: Drive carefully, leave extra stopping distance and have it checked soon. If the red brake light is also on, stop driving.
Electric power steering system warning light
Check soon
The manual says: Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering) system →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
What to do: Drive carefully and have it checked. If it came on after a lot of parking manoeuvres, it can reset after the car cools down.
PCS warning light
Check soon · usual colour
The manual says: When a buzzer sounds simultaneously: Indicates a malfunction has occurred in the PCS (Pre-Collision System). →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. When a buzzer does not sound: The PCS (Pre-Collision System) has become temporarily unavailable, corrective action may be necessary. →Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display.
What to do: Clean the windshield and front grille sensor. If it stays on in clear weather, have it checked.
LTA indicator
Check soon
The manual says: (Orange) (If equipped) Indicates a malfunction in the LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) →Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display. (→.
What to do: If amber, clean the windshield in front of the camera. If it stays amber, have it checked.
LDA indicator
Check soon
The manual says: (Orange) (If equipped) Indicates a malfunction in the LDA (Lane Departure Alert) with steering control →Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display. (→.
What to do: If amber, clean the windshield in front of the camera. If it stays amber, have it checked.
PKSB OFF indicator
Check soon · usual colour
The manual says: (Flashes) (If equipped) When a buzzer sounds: Indicates a malfunction in the PKSB (Parking Support Brake) system →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. When a buzzer does not sound: Indicates that the system is temporarily unavailable, possibly due to a sensor being dirty or covered with ice, etc. →Clear the dirt, etc.
What to do: Clean the windshield and front grille sensor. If it stays on in clear weather, have it checked.
Slip indicator light
Check soon · usual colour
The manual says: Indicates a malfunction in: zThe VSC system; zThe TRAC system; or zThe hill-start assist control system The light will flash when the VSC or TRAC system is operating. →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
What to do: If it flashes, ease off and drive gently for the conditions. If it stays on, have the system checked.
Brake hold operated indicator
Information · usual colour
The manual says: (Flashes) Indicates a malfunction in the brake hold system →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
What to do: Nothing to do. Press the accelerator to drive off; the brakes release automatically.
Parking brake indicator
Stop safely · usual colour
The manual says: (Flashes) (Flashes) It is possible that the parking brake is not fully engaged or released →Operate the parking brake switch once again. This light comes on when the parking brake is not released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully released, the system is operating normally.
What to do: Release the parking brake before driving. If it flashes or will not release, see a dealer.
Low fuel level warning light
Check soon · usual colour
The manual says: Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 2.3 gal. (9.0 L, 1.9 Imp.gal.) or less →Refuel the vehicle.
What to do: Fill up at the next gas station. Running dry can damage the fuel pump.
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer*)
Information · usual colour
The manual says: Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their seat belts →Fasten the seat belt. If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to make the warning light (warning buzzer) turn off.
What to do: Fasten all seat belts. If it stays on with everyone belted, a heavy bag on a seat can trigger it.
Rear passengers’ seat belt reminder light*1 (warning buzzer*2)
Information · usual colour
The manual says: Warns the rear passengers to fasten their seat belts →Fasten the seat belt.
What to do: Fasten all seat belts. If it stays on with everyone belted, a heavy bag on a seat can trigger it.
Master warning light
Check soon · usual colour
The manual says: A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and flashes to indicate that the master warning system has detected a malfunction. →.
What to do: Read the message on the multi-information display. Red means stop safely; amber means get it checked.
Tire pressure warning light
Check soon · usual colour
The manual says: When the light comes on: Low tire inflation pressure such as zNatural causes (→ zFlat tire (→ →Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level. The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by your Lexus dealer.
What to do: Check all four tires with a gauge and inflate to the pressure on the driver's door sticker. The light goes out after a short drive.
More about the tire pressure (tpms) light · Shop tire inflators on Amazon
Brake Override System/Drive-Start Control warning light
Check soon · usual colour
The manual says: Brake Override System Indicates that the accelerator and brake pedals are being depressed simultaneously, and the Brake Override System is operating. →Release the accelerator pedal and depress the brake pedal. Indicates a malfunction in the Brake Override System (with warning buzzer) →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. (with warning buzzer) →Momentarily release the accelerator pedal.
What to do: Drive-Start Control Indicates that the shift position was changed and DriveStart Control was operated while depressing the accelerator pedal.
| Light | Colour | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake system warning light | Red | Indicates: zThe brake fluid level is low; or zThe brake system is malfunctioning →Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous. | |
| Charging system warning light | Red* | Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system →Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous. | |
| Low engine oil pressure warning light | Red* | Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low →Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous. | |
| High coolant temperature warning light | Red* | Indicates that the engine is overheating →Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous. | |
| Parking brake indicator | Red* | (Flashes) (Flashes) It is possible that the parking brake is not fully engaged or released →Operate the parking brake switch once again. This light comes on when the parking brake is not released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully released, the system is operating normally. | |
| Brake system warning light | Amber | Indicates a malfunction in the electric parking brake →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. | |
| Malfunction indicator lamp | Amber* | Indicates a malfunction in: zThe electronic engine control system; zThe electronic throttle control system; or zThe electronic automatic transmission control system →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. | |
| SRS warning light | Amber* | Indicates a malfunction in: zThe SRS airbag system; zThe front passenger occupant classification system; or zThe seat belt pretensioner system →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. | |
| ABS warning light | Amber* | Indicates a malfunction in: zThe ABS; or zThe brake assist system →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. | |
| Electric power steering system warning light | Amber | Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering) system →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. | |
| PCS warning light | Amber* | When a buzzer sounds simultaneously: Indicates a malfunction has occurred in the PCS (Pre-Collision System). →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. When a buzzer does not sound: The PCS (Pre-Collision System) has become temporarily unavailable, corrective action may be necessary. →Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display. | |
| LTA indicator | Amber | (Orange) (If equipped) Indicates a malfunction in the LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) →Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display. (→. | |
| LDA indicator | Amber | (Orange) (If equipped) Indicates a malfunction in the LDA (Lane Departure Alert) with steering control →Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display. (→. | |
| PKSB OFF indicator | Amber* | (Flashes) (If equipped) When a buzzer sounds: Indicates a malfunction in the PKSB (Parking Support Brake) system →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. When a buzzer does not sound: Indicates that the system is temporarily unavailable, possibly due to a sensor being dirty or covered with ice, etc. →Clear the dirt, etc. | |
| Slip indicator light | Amber* | Indicates a malfunction in: zThe VSC system; zThe TRAC system; or zThe hill-start assist control system The light will flash when the VSC or TRAC system is operating. →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. | |
| Low fuel level warning light | Amber* | Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 2.3 gal. (9.0 L, 1.9 Imp.gal.) or less →Refuel the vehicle. | |
| Master warning light | Amber* | A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and flashes to indicate that the master warning system has detected a malfunction. →. | |
| Tire pressure warning light | Amber* | When the light comes on: Low tire inflation pressure such as zNatural causes (→ zFlat tire (→ →Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level. The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by your Lexus dealer. | |
| Brake Override System/Drive-Start Control warning light | Amber* | Brake Override System Indicates that the accelerator and brake pedals are being depressed simultaneously, and the Brake Override System is operating. →Release the accelerator pedal and depress the brake pedal. Indicates a malfunction in the Brake Override System (with warning buzzer) →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. (with warning buzzer) →Momentarily release the accelerator pedal. | |
| Brake hold operated indicator | Green* | (Flashes) Indicates a malfunction in the brake hold system →Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. | |
| Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer*) | Green* | Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their seat belts →Fasten the seat belt. If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to make the warning light (warning buzzer) turn off. | |
| Rear passengers’ seat belt reminder light*1 (warning buzzer*2) | Green* | Warns the rear passengers to fasten their seat belts →Fasten the seat belt. |
Source: 2015 Lexus NX Owner's Manual; 2016 Lexus NX Owner's Manual; 2017 Lexus NX Owner's Manual and others. * Usual colour; the manual text doesn't state it.