Ford Warning Lights and Meanings
Complete guide to Ford dashboard warning lights and symbols. Learn what each indicator means and what action you should take when they illuminate.
Understanding Ford Dashboard Warning Lights
Ford vehicles are equipped with an advanced diagnostic system that monitors various components and systems. When an issue is detected, a corresponding warning light will illuminate on your dashboard.
These warning lights are color-coded to indicate the severity of the issue:
- Red: Indicates a serious issue that requires immediate attention. You should stop driving as soon as it's safe to do so.
- Amber/Yellow: Suggests a less urgent problem that should be checked soon, but doesn't require immediate action.
- Green: Usually informational, indicating that a system is active or functioning normally.
- Blue: Usually informational, indicating features like high beam headlights or coolant temperature.
- White: Usually informational, indicating that certain systems or features are currently active.
Below you'll find a comprehensive list of warning lights that may appear on your Ford vehicle's dashboard.
Ford Warning Light Categories
Critical Warning Lights
These red warning lights indicate serious issues that require immediate attention.
Service Warning Lights
These amber/yellow lights suggest issues that need attention soon but aren't immediately critical.
Information Indicators (Green)
These green lights simply inform you that certain systems are active.
Information Indicators (Blue)
These blue lights indicate that certain features or systems are enabled.
Information Indicators (White)
These white lights provide status information about various vehicle systems.
Critical Warning Lights
Adaptive Steering Light
It illuminates when the adaptive steering system detects a concern. Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Battery Light
It illuminates when you switch the ignition on. If it illuminates when the engine is running, this indicates your vehicle requires service. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Brake Pad Wear Warning Lamp Light
It illuminates when the brake pads have worn down to a predetermined limit. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Brake System Light
It illuminates when you apply the parking brake and the ignition is on. If it illuminates when your vehicle is moving, make sure the parking brake is released. If the parking brake is released, this indicates low brake fluid level or the brake system requires service. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Brake System Light
It illuminates when you apply the parking brake and the ignition is on. If it illuminates when your vehicle is moving, make sure the parking brake is released. If the parking brake is released, this indicates low brake fluid level or the brake system requires service. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Door Ajar Light
It illuminates when the ignition is on and the hood is not completely closed.
Electric Parking Brake Light
It illuminates or flashes when the electric parking brake requires service. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
If it illuminates, safely stop your vehicle and switch the vehicle off.
Fasten Rear Seatbelt Light
It illuminates and a tone sounds until you fasten the rear seatbelts.
Fasten Seatbelt Light
It illuminates and a tone sounds until you fasten the seatbelts.
Front Airbag Light
If it does not illuminate when you switch the ignition on, continues to flash, or remains on when the engine is running, this indicates a malfunction. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Hood Ajar Light
It illuminates when the ignition is on and the hood is not completely closed.
Liftgate Ajar Light
It illuminates when the ignition is on and the liftgate is not completely closed.
Oil Pressure Light
It illuminates when the engine oil pressure is low.
Reverse Brake Assist Light
If the system determines that a collision with an obstacle may occur, full braking may apply. Bring your vehicle to a stop a safe distance away from the obstacle. A message and a warning indicator appear when the system applies the brakes.
Stop Safely Light
Illuminates if an electrical component requires service or a failure that causes your vehicle to shutdown or enter into a limited operating mode.
Tailgate Ajar Light
It illuminates when the ignition is on and the tailgate is not completely closed.
Service Warning Lights
Anti-Lock Braking System Light
If it illuminates when you are driving, this indicates your vehicle requires service. Your vehicle continues to have normal braking without the anti-lock brake system function. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Automatic Regen Control Off Light
Once the diesel particulate filter is full, active regeneration raises the exhaust temperature to eliminate the particles. During cleaning, the particles convert to harmless gasses. When the engine control module detects that the diesel particulate filter is nearly full of particulates, and you are not operating your vehicle in a manner to allow effective regeneration, messages appear in the information display as a reminder for you to drive your vehicle in order to clean the diesel particulate filter. If you drive your vehicle in a manner to allow effective regeneration, the information display shows a cleaning exhaust filter message.
Blind Spot Detection OFF Indicator Light
This indicator appears on the combination meter display when “BSD/ RCTA” is touched to deactivate the BSD (Blind Spot Detection) and RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert), or when the BSD/ RCTA is suspended temporarily.
Blind Spot Information System Indicator Light
When the system detects a vehicle, the indicator illuminates in the exterior mirror on the side the approaching vehicle is coming from. If you turn the direction indicator on for that side of your vehicle, the indicator flashes.
Check Fuel Cap Light
It illuminates when the fuel cap is not properly installed. Continued driving with this light on may cause the malfunction indicator lamp to illuminate.
Cross Traffic Alert Indicator Light
When the system detects an approaching vehicle a tone sounds, the indicator illuminates in the relevant exterior mirror and arrows appear in the information display to show which side the approaching vehicle is coming from.
Diesel Engine Brake Light
Illuminates when this feature is switched on and the system is operating properly. ● Flashes when the engine brake is disabled due to a fault or the engine does not meet the required braking conditions. ● Does not iluminate when the switch or indicator is faulty.
Diesel Engine Brake Light
Illuminates when this feature is switched on and the system is operating properly. ● Flashes when the engine brake is disabled due to a fault or the engine does not meet the required braking conditions. ● Does not iluminate when the switch or indicator is faulty.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Light
Illuminates when the diesel exhaust fluid is low, contaminated or the system requires service.
Electronic Locking Differential Light
If both rear wheel axle shafts lock together, the indicator in the cluster is amber, providing additional traction. If you select the electronic locking differential and the indicator in the cluster is gray or turns from amber to gray while driving, one of the following has occurred: ● The vehicle speed is too high. ● The accelerator pedal is too high during an engagement attempt. ● The vehicle is experiencing an anti-lock brake activation. ● The left and right wheel speed difference is too high during an engagement attempt. If you select the electronic locking differential and the indicator in the cluster does not turn on, the following has occurred: ● The system has malfunctioned and accompanies a check locking differential message in the information display. See your dealer as soon as possible.
Four-Wheel Drive Auto Light
Continuously illuminates when four-wheel drive auto is selected.
Four-Wheel Drive High Light
Continuously illuminates when four-wheel drive high is selected.
Four-Wheel Drive Low Light
Continuously illuminates when four-wheel drive low is selected.
High Voltage Battery Light
It illuminates white under normal conditions. If it illuminates amber, then the battery is low on charge.
Lane Keeping Aid Indicator Light
It illuminates in the information display when you switch the system on and Aid Mode or Alert and Aid Mode are selected.
Lane Keeping Alert Indicator Light
It illuminates in the information display when you switch the system on and Alert Mode is selected.
Low Beam Warning Light
It illuminates when the low beam headlamp requires service. Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Low Fuel Level Light
It illuminates when the fuel level is low.
Low Tire Pressure Light
It illuminates when your tire pressure is low. If illuminated, check your tire pressure as soon as possible. If it begins to flash at any time, have the system checked as soon as possible.
Low Washer Fluid Level Light
It illuminates when the washer fluid is low.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp Light
It illuminates when the ignition is on and the engine is off, this is normal. If it illuminates when the engine is on this indicates the emission control system requires service. If it flashes, have your vehicle checked immediately.
O/D OFF Light
It illuminates in the information display when the overdrive has been disengaged.
Powertrain Fault Light
Illuminates when the powertrain or four-wheel drive require service. Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Stability Control and Traction Control OFF Light
The traction control off indicator illuminates when you switch the traction control system off, or when an alternative stability control mode is selected that requires the traction control off depending on the drive mode selected.
Stability Control and Traction Control Light
If the indicator does not illuminate when you switch the ignition on or remains on when the engine is running, this indicates a malfunction. Have your vehicle checked by an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Tow Haul Light
It illuminates when you switch the system on.
Trail Control Light
It illuminates when you switch the system on.
Transmisison Light
It illuminates in the information display when the transmission system malfunctions.
Two-Wheel Drive High Light
Momentarily illuminates when two-wheel drive high is selected.
Wait to Start Light
The engine does not start until the glow plug indicator turns off. This may take several seconds in extremely cold conditions.
Water in Fuel Light
It illuminates when the fuel and water separator has a significant quantity of water in it and requires immediate draining.
Information Indicators (Green)
Adaptive Cruise Control Light
Illuminates when you switch the adaptive cruise control on. The color of the indicator changes to indicate the system status. Green indicates that you set the speed and the system is active.
Auto Hold Active Light
Illuminates when the system is active.
Auto Hold Unavailable Light
Illuminates when the system is on but cannot hold your vehicle at a standstill at this particular time.
Auto Hold Light
Illuminates when you activate the auto hold system by pressing the AUTO HOLD button.
Auto Hold Light
Illuminates when you activate the auto hold system by pressing the AUTO HOLD button.
Auto Hold Light
Illuminates when you activate the auto hold system by pressing the AUTO HOLD button.
Auto Hold Light
Illuminates when you activate the auto hold system by pressing the AUTO HOLD button.
Auto Start-Stop Light
The Auto-Start-Stop indicator illuminates green when the engine stops. It flashes amber and a message appears when you need to take action.
Automatic High Beam Light
Illuminates to confirm when the system is ready to assist.
BlueCruise Light
When on, the color of the indicator changes to indicate the status. Green indicates BlueCruise is active and applying for continuous steering support.
Eco Mode Indicator Light
It illuminates when the drive mode is selected.
Efficient Drive Mode Indicator Light
It indicates that you have to slowly decelerate.
Front Fog Lamp Light
It illuminates when you switch the front fog lamps on.
Hill Descent Light
Illuminates when you switch hill descent control on. Hill descent control allows the driver to set and maintain vehicle speed while descending steep slopes in various surface conditions.
Lamps On Light
Illuminates when you switch the low beam headlamps or the parking lamps on.
Ready to Drive Light
When you start your vehicle, a green READY indicator light appears in the instrument cluster letting you know that your vehicle is ready for driving. The engine may not start because your vehicle has a silent key start feature. This fuel-saving feature allows your vehicle to be ready to drive without requiring the gas engine to be running. The indicator remains on when your vehicle is on, whether the engine is running or not, to indicate your vehicle is capable of movement using the electric motor, gas engine, or both. Typically, the engine does not start unless the vehicle is cold, a climate control change is requested or you press the accelerator pedal.
Turn Signal Lamps Light
It flashes when you switch the turn signal lamps on.
Vehicle Plugged In Light
It illuminates when your vehicle is plugged in.
Information Indicators (Blue)
High Beam Light
Illuminates when you switch the high beam headlamps on.
Information Indicators (White)
AUTO EV Light
This mode provides an automatic use of high voltage battery power during the drive, staying in electric mode when possible and running the engine when needed.
EV Charge Light
This mode uses your vehicle’s engine to charge the high-voltage battery versus plugging the vehicle into a utility grid. The electric range gained through the EV Charge allows you to switch to Auto EV or EV Now for full electric operation later in your drive. The battery cannot completely charge to 100% when in EV Charge mode. This is to allow for full operation of the regenerative braking system. When the battery reaches its EV Charge limit, the vehicle remains in EV Charge mode and maintains that charge level, until you select another EV Mode, or until you switch your vehicle off. When you enable EV Charge, a white EV Charge icon appears in the information display. EV Charge resets to Auto EV when you switch off your vehicle. You may select EV Charge again using the EV button during your next drive.
EV Later Light
In EV Later, your vehicle runs on the engine as needed and saves most of the available electric range for later use in Auto EV or EV Now mode. When you enable EV Later, a white EV Later icon appears in the information display. EV Later resets to Auto EV when you switch off your vehicle. You may select EV Later again using the EV button during your next drive. When you select EV Later with the vehicle fully charged or near fully charged, some electric-only driving range is used to discharge the battery. This is to allow for full operation of the regenerative braking system.
EV Now Light
This mode provides an electric only driving experience. Do not use EV Now when towing a trailer. The electric drive system is not designed for towing. An EV Now information on demand screen appears. This screen allows you to enable your engine while in EV Now mode. When you enable EV Now mode, a blue EV Now icon appears in the information display. If your vehicle is in Engine enabled mode, the EV Now icon is amber. EV Now exits when your available electric range reaches zero.
Mud/Ruts Mode Indicator Light
It illuminates when the drive mode is selected.
Slippery Mode Indicator Light
It illuminates when the drive mode is selected.
Auto Start-Stop Light
The Auto-Start-Stop indicator illuminates gray with a strikethrough when the system is not available.