Kia Dashboard Warning Lights & Symbols Explained

A light just came on in your Kia and you’re not sure what it means? You’re in the right place. Below you’ll find every Kia dashboard warning light and indicator symbol, what each one means in plain English, and what you should do next.

As a rule of thumb, the color tells you how urgent it is. Red lights point to a safety issue or a problem that could damage your engine, so act right away. Amber (yellow or orange) lights mean a system needs attention soon. Green and blue lights simply let you know a feature is on. Find your light in the chart for its color, then read the matching number below.

Not sure what you’re seeing, or need it checked? The Steven Kia service team in Harrisonburg is here to help. Call our service department at 540-437-9908 to schedule an appointment.

Red Kia Warning Lights

Red warning lights point to a safety issue or a problem that could damage your engine. When one of these comes on, take action right away.

1. Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light

Your engine isn’t getting the oil pressure it needs to run properly. It’s normal for this light to come on when you turn the key to ON and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on after starting or comes on while driving, pull over as soon as it’s safe and turn the engine off. Check your oil level and top up with the recommended oil. If the light stays on after adding oil, or you don’t have oil on hand, call us. Driving with this light on can cause severe engine damage.

2. Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light

Your engine coolant is too hot (above about 248°F) and the engine may be overheating. A quick flash when you first turn the key is normal. If it comes on and stays red, stop as soon as it’s safe and don’t keep driving. Contact our service team or your roadside assistance provider.

3. Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light

This light comes on whenever the parking brake is set with the ignition on. If it stays on after you start the car and release the parking brake, your brake fluid may be low. First make sure the parking brake is fully released. If the light is still on, stop as soon as it’s safe and contact us. Brake issues should never wait.

4. Charging System (Battery) Warning Light

It comes on with the ignition and should go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, or appears while driving, there may be a problem with the alternator (generator) or the electrical charging system. Have your Kia checked as soon as possible. Your battery may not be recharging, so the car could lose power.

5. Airbag (SRS) Warning Light

Your airbags are checking themselves. The light should come on for about 6 seconds when you turn the key to ON, then go off. If it doesn’t come on at all, stays on past 6 seconds, blinks, or comes on while driving, your airbag system (SRS) may not work in a crash. Schedule a check with us as soon as possible.

6. Electric Power Steering (EPS) Warning Light

It comes on briefly at start-up. If it stays on or blinks while driving, there’s a problem with the steering system and power assist may be lost, so steering will feel much heavier. On some models this light shows in amber. Drive carefully and contact us as soon as possible to have the steering system checked.

7. EPB (Electric Parking Brake) Malfunction Indicator

It comes on briefly at start-up. If it doesn’t come on, or stays on, the electric parking brake may have a fault. It can also light up when the ESC light is on for an ESC problem, which doesn’t mean the parking brake itself is broken. Contact us to have the system checked.

8. Seat Belt Reminder Light

It lights up for about 6 seconds every time you start the car as a reminder. If the driver’s belt isn’t buckled, it stays on, starts blinking above about 6 mph, and on some models a chime sounds above about 12 mph. Buckle up. The light goes out once the belt is fastened.

9. Door Ajar Warning Light

One of your doors isn’t fully closed. Open and firmly close each door. The light turns off once every door is shut.

Yellow & Amber Kia Warning Lights

Amber lights (they may look yellow or orange on your dash) mean a system needs attention or has been switched off. It usually isn’t an emergency, but don’t ignore it.

1. Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)

Your engine computer has found a possible problem in the emission control system. It’s normal for it to come on with the ignition and go out a few seconds after the engine starts. If it comes on while driving, or doesn’t light up at all at start-up, schedule a check with us. You can usually keep driving for now, but driving for a long time with it on can damage the emission control system.

2. Low Tire Pressure (TPMS) Warning Light

Steady: one or more tires is badly under-inflated. Flashing for about a minute and then staying on: the tire pressure monitoring system itself has a fault (often after new tires or wheels are installed) and may not warn you of low pressure. Steady: check your tires as soon as possible and inflate them to the pressure on the label on the driver’s door pillar. Low tires can overheat and fail, and they hurt handling, braking and fuel economy. Flashing: have the system checked by us.

3. Low Tire Pressure Position Telltale

On models that have it, this shows exactly which tire is low. Slow down, avoid hard cornering, and expect longer stopping distances. Check and inflate that tire to the pressure on the driver’s door pillar label as soon as you can.

4. ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) Warning Light

The anti-lock brakes keep your wheels from locking up in hard stops. This light should come on briefly at start-up. If it stays on while driving, or doesn’t come on at all, the ABS has a fault. Your normal brakes still work, just without ABS assist. Have it checked by us as soon as possible.

5. Electronic Stability Control (ESC / ESP) Indicator

Blinking while you drive: the system is working to keep you in control on slippery roads, which is normal. Staying on steadily: the stability control system has a fault. If it’s blinking, ease off the gas and drive gently for the conditions. If it stays on, have your Kia checked by us.

6. ESC OFF Indicator

Stability control has been turned off with the ESC OFF button. It turns back on automatically the next time you start the car. Only turn ESC off on a flat road, never while it’s actively working. If the light stays on after pressing the button again, contact us to have it checked.

7. Low Fuel Warning Light

Your fuel tank is nearly empty. Get gas as soon as possible. Running with this light on, or below ‘E’, can make the engine misfire and damage the catalytic converter.

8. Low Washer Fluid Warning Light

Your windshield washer fluid reservoir is nearly empty. Top off the washer fluid and the light will go out.

9. 4WD / AWD System Warning Light

It comes on briefly at start-up. If it comes on while driving, there’s a problem with the 4WD system. Have your Kia checked by us.

10. 4WD LOCK Indicator

4WD Lock is on for extra traction on steep grades or off-road. It switches to 4WD Auto above about 25 mph. Press the 4WD button to turn it off. If the light won’t go off, contact us.

11. Adaptive Front Lighting (AFLS) Malfunction Indicator

Adaptive headlights swivel and level as you steer to widen your view. If this light flashes or stays on, the system has a problem. Pull over somewhere safe and restart the engine. If the light is still on, have it checked by us.

12. Passenger Front Airbag OFF Indicator

The front passenger airbag is turned off. If this light doesn’t behave as expected at start-up, there could be a problem with the airbag system. Contact us to have it checked.

13. Immobilizer Indicator

Your Kia’s anti-theft system checks for a valid key before it lets the engine start. With a smart key, it’s normal for this light to show amber for about 30 seconds when you press START, then go out. If it blinks, shows for only about 2 seconds, or the car won’t start, the smart key may be missing, its battery may be weak, or the system may have a fault. Contact us to have it checked.

14. Key Low Battery Indicator

On smart key vehicles, this blinks amber for a few seconds when the battery in your key fob is running low. Replace the key fob battery. Until then, you can still start the car by pressing the START button with the smart key itself.

15. Key Out Warning Light

The car can’t detect your smart key inside the vehicle, or a door is open. It blinks amber for a few seconds, sometimes with a chime. Make sure the smart key is in the car and all doors are closed.

16. Icy Road Warning Light

The outside temperature is below about 39°F, so roads could be icy. It blinks for 10 seconds, then stays on, and a chime sounds. Slow down and drive with extra care.

17. Tailgate / Trunk Open Warning Light

Your tailgate or trunk is open or not fully latched. Close it firmly until it latches. The light will go out.

18. Rear Fog Light Indicator

Your rear fog light is on (on models that have one). Turn it off once visibility improves. It also turns off with the headlights or ignition.

Green, Blue & White Kia Indicator Lights

These lights simply let you know a feature is on and working. In most cases, no action is needed.

1. High Beam Indicator

Your high beams are on (or you’re flashing them). Switch back to low beams when other vehicles are around so you don’t blind other drivers.

2. Low Beam Indicator

Your headlights are on, along with the tail, license plate and dash lights. Nothing. This is normal.

3. Parking / Tail Light Indicator

Your tail lights, license plate lights and dash lights are on. Nothing. Turn the headlight knob to OFF to switch them off.

4. Front Fog Light Indicator

Your front fog lights are on. Use them only when visibility is badly reduced, and turn them off when you’re done.

5. Turn Signal Indicators

Your turn signal or hazard lights are on. If an arrow stays on without blinking, blinks much faster than normal, or doesn’t light at all, a bulb or the signal system may have a problem. Have it checked by us.

6. Cruise Control Indicator

Cruise control is switched on and ready (it works above about 25 mph). Press the cruise ON/OFF button on the steering wheel to turn it off. If the light won’t go off, contact us.

7. Cruise SET Indicator

Your cruise speed is set and the car is holding it for you. Tap the brake, press CANCEL, or press the cruise ON/OFF button to cancel.

8. Speed Limiter Indicator

The speed limiter is on. If you go over your set limit, the speed blinks and a chime sounds until you slow down. If the display shows a blinking ‘—‘, the system may have a problem. Have it checked by us.

9. DBC (Downhill Brake Control) Indicator

Green: DBC is on (it can be turned on below 25 mph). Blinking: it’s actively slowing you on a steep hill. Red: DBC may have a fault and won’t work. If it shows red, have your Kia checked by us.

10. Active ECO Indicator

ECO mode is on to save fuel. Acceleration may feel a little softer, A/C may be limited, and shift points may change. It stays on even after restarting. Nothing. Press the ECO button again to turn it off.

11. Auto Stop (ISG / Idle Stop & Go) Indicator

Green: the engine has shut off automatically while you’re stopped to save fuel, and it will restart when you’re ready to go. Amber that goes away: conditions aren’t right for Auto Stop to work right now. Nothing needed when green. If it stays amber, or won’t turn off when you press the button, contact us.

12. Auto Hold Indicator

White: Auto Hold is turned on. Green: it’s actively holding the car still. Amber: the Auto Hold system isn’t working correctly. If it shows amber, contact us to have the system checked.

13. Shift Pattern / Gear Indicator

Shows which gear you’re in. On manual models, an up or down arrow suggests the best gear for fuel economy. If the gear display blinks, or the shift arrows stop showing when they should, the system may have a problem. Have it checked by us as soon as possible.

Kia Warning Light FAQs

What does the red exclamation point light mean on my Kia?

A red exclamation point inside a circle is the Parking Brake & Brake Fluid warning light. It’s normal when the parking brake is set. If it stays on after you release the parking brake, your brake fluid may be low. Stop when it’s safe and contact our service team.

Can I drive my Kia with the check engine light on?

Usually yes, for a short time. The check engine light means a possible problem in the emission control system. Driving for a long time with it on can cause damage, so schedule a check soon.

What does the yellow car with squiggly lines mean on a Kia?

That’s the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) light. If it blinks while you drive, the system is helping you keep control on a slippery road. If it stays on, there’s a fault and your Kia should be checked.

Why is my Kia tire pressure light flashing?

If the tire pressure light flashes for about a minute and then stays on, the tire pressure monitoring system itself has a fault and may not warn you about low tires. This often happens after new tires or wheels are installed. Have it checked by our service team.

Why is the KEY light blinking on my Kia?

A blinking KEY light usually means your smart key fob battery is low. Replace the battery. Until you do, you can still start the car by pressing the START button with the smart key itself.

What should I do if my Kia’s oil light or temperature light comes on?

Pull over as soon as it’s safe and turn off the engine. For the oil light, check and top up your oil; if the light stays on, call us. For the temperature light, don’t keep driving. Contact our service team or roadside assistance.

Get Your Kia Checked at Steven Kia

Dashboard lights are your Kia’s way of asking for attention. Whether it’s a quick tire pressure top-off or a check engine light, our service team in Harrisonburg can find the cause and walk you through your options before any work is done. Visit us at 2910 S Main St, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or call our service department at 540-437-9908 to schedule your appointment today.

Warning and indicator lights vary by model, trim and year, and some are only found on certain Kia models. Amber lights may look yellow or orange on your dash. Where more than one symbol appears above a number, your Kia may show either version. This page is a general guide and isn’t a diagnosis of the actual cause of a light. For full details, see your Kia Owner’s Manual or contact our service department.