Warning lights - Volkswagen (VW)

🟥 Red warning light

If the red warning light has come on in your Volkswagen vehicle, it means that there is a malfunction that prevents you from driving further. Do not drive the car anywhere until you remove it and the light goes out!

🟨 Orange warning light

An orange/yellow warning light is a warning that something may not be right with the car. You can continue driving with the orange light on, but you should resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

🟩 Green warning light

The green warning lights are only informative and indicate the activation of individual functions of your Volkswagen. 

Volkswagen - list of warning lights 

In the overview below you will find the most common and most important warning lights that can appear in VWs. You can find a complete list of your vehicle's warning lights in its owner's manual.

Low brake fluid pressure

The red warning light with an exclamation point indicates a serious fault in the brake system. This is usually a low brake fluid level. If the same light comes on, only with the letter "P" instead of the exclamation mark, then it means that you left the handbrake on.

❌ Do not drive the car!

Solution: Check the condition of the brake fluid and top it up if necessary. If even then the warning light does not go out, have the vehicle towed to a service center.

Engine coolant overheating

The red coolant warning light indicates engine overheating. The cause is usually a lack of coolant (fridex). Its condition can only be checked after the engine has cooled down (the liquid is usually over 212 degrees Fahrenheit and it can burn you badly when you unscrew the tank cap right after the engine is turned off).

❌ Do not drive the car!

Solution: After the engine cools down, add coolant and check for leaks. If the warning light is still on after topping up the fluid, have the vehicle towed to a service center.

Low engine oil pressure

The red oil warning light indicates low engine oil pressure. This means that there is not enough oil in the engine and the engine could be irreversibly damaged by further driving.

❌ Do not drive the car!

Solution: Stop the vehicle ideally on a flat surface and switch off the engine as soon as possible. After turning off the engine, wait a couple of minutes, then check the engine oil level and, if necessary, top it up. If the light still doesn't go out, take the car to a service center.

Charging malfunction

The red warning light of the car battery indicates a fault in the charging of the battery- very often caused by a faulty alternator. In such a situation, the car cannot produce enough energy for driving.

❌ Do not drive the car!

Solution: The best solution is to directly tow the car to the service center. If other red lights are on together with the warning light, do not start the engine under any circumstances!

Low engine oil level

The orange oil warning light is a warning about the low level of engine oil, which needs to be topped up as soon as possible. New Volkswagens usually also display the exact amount that needs to be topped up on the on-board computer.

⚠️ It is possible to continue driving, but solve the problem as soon as possible.

Solution: Add the required amount of engine oil. You can find its type in your vehicle's owner's manual.

Improper combustion

Check engine light aka fried chicken indicates improper fuel combustion. There can be a large number of reasons - from a faulty EGR valve to a malfunctioning lambda probe. In most cases, the engine also switches to the so-called emergency mode with limited power.

⚠️ It is possible to continue driving, but solve the problem as soon as possible.

Solution: Visit service center as soon as possible.

Glow plug system malfunction

The warning light indicates a failure of the glow plug system in the diesel engine. There can be countless reasons, so go to a service center as soon as possible.

⚠️ It is possible to continue driving, but solve the problem as soon as possible.

Solution: Visit service center as soon as possible.

Low tire pressure

If your Volkswagen is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, this warning light may come on quite often. It indicates low pressure in one or more tires, or a system malfunction.

⚠️ It is only possible to continue driving after a thorough check of the pressure in all tires.

Solution: Stop in a safe place, check the inflation of all tires and if necessary, inflate them. The warning light should then go out by itself.

Fatigue warning light

Most of the new Volkswagen vehicles are equipped with a system that monitors driver fatigue. If your cup warning light comes on, the car wants to tell you that it's time to rest.

✔️ If you are not tired, you can continue driving without any worries.

Solution: The warning light should go out by itself the next time the engine is started.

Power steering failure

The orange steering wheel warning light indicates a malfunction of the power steering. You will recognize the defect very quickly even without a warning light, because the steering wheel will move much more smoothly than usual.

⚠️ It is possible to continue driving, but solve the problem as soon as possible.

Solution: An ordinary motorist will not remove this malfunction. Take your car to the service center as soon as possible.

ESP system failure

The lit ESP warning light indicates a failure of the ESP electronic stabilization system. The flashing of the warning light during a sharp turn on a slippery surface does not indicate a system malfunction, but only warns you that the system has just prevented an incipient skid.

⚠️ It is possible to continue driving, but solve the problem as soon as possible.

Solution: If the warning light does not go out, visit a service center. The error will probably be in one of the sensors or the control unit of the system.

Service warning

This warning light tells the driver that the vehicle requires service – usually a regular oil change or a service inspection. The warning light is usually accompanied by a text message on the on-board computer.

✔️ You can continue driving without fear, but make an appointment for a service as soon as possible.

Solution: The functionality of the car is not limited in any way. However, take the necessary actions as soon as possible.

General warnings

The orange triangle does not mean anything by itself. It is always accompanied by one of the other warning lights or a warning on the on-board computer. The triangle light is for highlighting only.

⚠️ It is possible to continue driving, but solve the problem as soon as possible.

Solution: Check if another warning light is on. Check the warning messages on the on-board computer.

⚠️ When choosing a used Volkswagen, check not only the warning lights

Warning lights can help you when choosing used car, but definitely don't rely on them. With the help of diagnostics, it is possible to turn it off, and moreover, they only tell about the current state of the vehicle, not about its past.

🌍 Fortunately, it is very easy to check the history of a vehicle online in the largest database of used vehicle records in Europe at Cebia.com. Mileage, vehicle damage, service records, photos from the past and much more can be checked.

Check the Volkswagen VIN decoder article and find out what can be checked and found out about the history of any Volkswagen.

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