What the Lights on a Honda CR‑V Dashboard Mean

The lights on a Honda CR‑V dashboard signal status and safety: red usually means stop safely and address immediately, amber or yellow means caution and service soon, and green or blue generally indicates a system is active or information only. In short, treat red warnings as urgent, amber as attention-needed, and green/blue as normal operation. Below is a clear guide to the most common CR‑V indicators (2012–2025, including Hybrid), what they mean, and what you should do when they appear.

How to read dashboard light colors

Understanding the color coding helps you prioritize your response before you even identify the symbol. Honda uses industry-standard colors to indicate severity and status.

• Red: Critical warnings. Stop safely as soon as possible and investigate. Examples include oil pressure, brake system, high engine temperature, and charging system.
• Amber/Yellow: Caution or system issue. Drive with care and schedule service. Examples include check engine, ABS, TPMS, SRS airbag, and stability control alerts.
• Green/Blue: Information or system active. Examples include turn signals, high beams (blue), cruise control set, ECON mode, and some driver‑assist “active” states.
• White: Status/standby on newer models. Often indicates a feature is ready but not actively controlling (e.g., ACC or LKAS “standby”).

While colors are a reliable first filter, always confirm the icon and message on the instrument cluster to understand the exact condition.

Critical red warnings — stop safely

Red warnings indicate conditions that can compromise safety or cause rapid damage. Pull over safely and address immediately. If in doubt, call roadside assistance or arrange a tow.

• Engine Oil Pressure (oil can icon): Oil pressure is dangerously low. Stop the engine immediately to prevent severe damage. Do not restart until the cause (oil level, pump, leak) is fixed.
• Engine Coolant Temperature High (thermometer icon, red): The engine is overheating. Pull over, shut off, and let it cool. Do not open the radiator cap when hot.
• Brake System (BRAKE or exclamation in a circle): If not due to the parking brake being engaged, this can indicate low fluid or a serious brake fault. Do not continue driving.
• Charging System (battery icon): The alternator/charging system isn’t maintaining voltage; the vehicle may stall after the battery depletes. Reduce electrical load, drive only to a safe stop.
• Door/Hood/Tailgate Ajar (vehicle with open door/hood icons): Secure the closure before driving; these are safety warnings and may disable certain driver‑assists.
• Seat Belt Reminder (person with belt): Buckle all occupied seats; the light may be accompanied by chimes and passenger seat-specific indicators.
• Electric Parking Brake (EPB) Red “P”: Parking brake engaged. If the indicator stays red with the brake released, have the system checked immediately.

If a red light appears with unusual noises, smells, smoke, or loss of power/steering/brakes, stop immediately and seek assistance.

Amber/yellow cautions — service soon

Amber or yellow icons often mean a system is disabled, needs attention, or a sensor detected an abnormality. You can typically drive cautiously, but diagnose and repair promptly.

• Check Engine/MIL (engine icon): Emissions or engine control issue. If flashing, misfire risk—slow down and seek service immediately to protect the catalytic converter. If steady, check your gas cap first; if it doesn’t clear after several trips, schedule service.
• ABS (ABS letters): Anti-lock brakes disabled; conventional braking still works but wheels can lock under hard braking. Have the system scanned.
• VSA/ESC (triangle with exclamation or VSA): Stability control/traction control fault or OFF. Drive carefully; traction may be reduced.
• TPMS (horseshoe with exclamation): Steady = at least one tire is low; inflate to the placard pressure and recalibrate if required. Flashing at startup = TPMS fault; service needed.
• SRS Airbag (airbag icon): Airbag/pretensioner fault; airbags may not deploy in a crash. Have it serviced immediately.
• Power Steering (EPS steering wheel icon): Electric power steering problem; steering may feel heavy. Reduce speed and service soon.
• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS car-with-star or “CMBS OFF”): System turned off or malfunctioning. You still have normal brakes; driver‑assist braking may not intervene.
• Adaptive Cruise Control/LKAS fault (ACC/LKAS amber): The system is unavailable due to conditions (dirty camera/radar, weather) or a fault. Clean sensors; if persistent, service.
• Low Fuel (pump icon): Refuel soon; prolonged low fuel can damage the fuel pump.
• Washer Fluid Low: Refill to restore headlight/camera cleanliness and driving visibility.
• Maintenance Minder (wrench): Service due based on Honda’s algorithm. See “Maintenance Minder codes” below.
• Key/Immobilizer/Smart Entry (key or fob icon): Key not detected, low fob battery, or immobilizer issue. Replace fob battery or use the key back‑up method described in your manual.
• AWD System (AWD or driveline icon): Overheat or fault; system may limit AWD temporarily. Allow to cool; service if the light persists.

Amber warnings are your cue to act before a minor issue becomes costly or unsafe. Check for on-screen messages that give added context.

Green/blue indicators — normal operation

These are typically informational; they confirm a feature is on, or the vehicle is in a particular state. Blue often highlights visibility-related items.

• High Beams (blue headlamp icon): High beams are on. Some trims show Auto High-Beam status in white/green.
• Turn Signals/Hazard (green arrows): Blink with your indicators; rapid flashing suggests a bulb out.
• Cruise Control Set (green CRUISE/ACC indicator): Cruise is active; white usually means standby.
• ECON Mode (green leaf): Fuel‑saving throttle and climate strategies engaged.
• LKAS Active (green lane lines): Lane keep assist is actively steering; white usually means ready/standby.
• Fog Lights (green lamp with squiggle): Front fog lamps on (where equipped).
• Cool Engine (blue thermometer): Engine is cold; avoid high revs until it warms.
• Hybrid EV Mode/READY (green EV or READY, Hybrid models): Indicates electric‑only drive is active (EV) and/or the system is ready to move even if the engine is off. Use caution—vehicle can be silent but live.

Green and blue indicators confirm functions, not faults. If a function behaves unexpectedly, check settings or consult the manual.

Driver-assist symbols in newer CR‑Vs (2017–2025)

Honda Sensing features use icons and colors to show readiness and faults. Weather, dirt on sensors, or lane visibility can disable features temporarily.

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): White = ready; green = engaged; amber = fault. Keep radar cover clean.
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS): White lane lines = detected/ready; green = actively assisting; dashes/missing lines = cannot detect lane.
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM): Messages appear if off or unavailable; system may vibrate the wheel or apply gentle braking.
• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS): Amber indicator when off/fault; a red BRAKE alert flashes with audible warnings during imminent collision.
• Blind Spot Information (BSI): Amber icons in mirrors illuminate when a vehicle is in your blind spot; cluster may show BSI OFF if disabled.
• Cross Traffic Monitor: Alerts while reversing; cluster/camera display shows directional arrows and tones.
• Traffic Sign Recognition (where equipped): Displays detected speed limit or signs on the cluster/HUD.
• Parking Sensors/Low Speed Braking Control: Visual bars and tones; messages appear if the system intervenes or faults.
• Drive Modes (Normal/Snow/Econ/Sport on 2023+): Mode selection appears briefly; icons may be white/green to confirm the active mode.
• Hill Descent Control (2023+): Indicator shows when enabled on steep grades; amber message if unavailable.

If a driver-assist stays unavailable after cleaning sensors and driving in clear conditions, have the system checked.

Hybrid-specific indicators (CR‑V Hybrid 2020–2025)

CR‑V Hybrid models add icons for electric drive, energy flow, and system readiness. Some alerts differ from gasoline-only models.

• READY (green): Vehicle is energized and can move even if the engine is off. Treat like “engine running.”
• EV Mode (green EV): Driving on battery power only; may exit EV mode under heavy load or low battery.
• Auto Idle Stop (A in a circle): Green when engine auto‑stops; amber/strike‑through when conditions prevent stop.
• Propulsion/Power System Problem (amber/red message/icon): Hybrid system fault; reduce load and have the vehicle serviced immediately.
• Charge/Assist meter: Shows regen (charge) and motor assist; abnormal behavior with warnings can indicate battery or inverter issues.

Because hybrids can be silent at rest, always verify READY status before exiting or working around the vehicle.

What to do when a light comes on

A few quick checks can prevent damage and help you communicate clearly with a service center.

1. Note the color and symbol, and whether it’s steady or flashing. Take a photo of the cluster.
2. Check how the vehicle feels: power, steering, braking, temperature, odors, or smoke.
3. Red warnings: Pull over safely. For oil pressure or overheating, shut down immediately and call for assistance.
4. Blinking check engine: Reduce speed/loads and seek service immediately to avoid catalytic converter damage.
5. Gas cap: For a steady check engine light after refueling, tighten/replace the cap; the light may clear after several drive cycles.
6. Scan codes: An OBD‑II reader (or a service visit) can identify stored fault codes.
7. Use HondaLink/cluster messages: Newer CR‑Vs may log alerts and help you schedule service.

When in doubt, it’s safer and often cheaper to stop and tow than to drive with a critical warning illuminated.

Honda Maintenance Minder codes

The wrench icon triggers Honda’s Maintenance Minder with a letter and number(s). It’s more precise than mileage alone and varies by driving conditions.

• Main codes: A = oil change only; B = oil + inspection (and usually additional items per subcodes).
• Subcodes:
  1 = tire rotation,
  2 = engine air filter + cabin filter,
  3 = transmission fluid (consult hybrid/generation specifics),
  4 = spark plugs and valve clearance (as applicable),
  5 = engine coolant,
  6 = rear differential fluid (AWD),
  7 = brake fluid.

Performing Maintenance Minder items on time keeps lights off and systems reliable, especially ABS, VSA, and transmission/drive components.

Common mistakes to avoid

Misreading a light can lead to unsafe decisions or costly repairs. Keep these pitfalls in mind.

• Assuming color doesn’t matter: Red is urgent; amber is caution; green/blue is informational.
• Ignoring ABS or SRS lights: The car still drives, but safety systems are compromised—fix promptly.
• Driving long with TPMS lit: Underinflated tires overheat and wear rapidly; also affects AWD and stability systems.
• Thinking a battery light means “bad battery”: Often it’s the alternator/drive belt—get it tested.
• Not realizing hybrids can move silently: The READY light means the car can roll even with the engine off.
• Relying on assists in poor weather: Cameras/radar can be blinded; always be prepared to drive unaided.

When something seems off, verify with the owner’s manual, in-cluster messages, or a qualified technician.

Where to find exact icons for your CR‑V

Icons and layouts vary by model year and trim (analog, partial digital, or full digital clusters). For the most accurate symbol list and troubleshooting steps, consult your specific owner’s manual, the in-vehicle “Info” or “Driver Information Interface,” and Honda’s support site. Cleaning cameras, radar covers, and sensors often restores driver‑assist features after weather or road grime.

Summary

On a Honda CR‑V, red dashboard lights call for an immediate, safe stop; amber/yellow lights signal a system issue or maintenance need; green/blue lights confirm normal operation or active features. Recognizing common icons—oil pressure, coolant temp, brake system, charging system, check engine, ABS, TPMS, SRS, VSA, and driver‑assist indicators—helps you respond appropriately. When in doubt, photograph the cluster, consult the manual, and schedule service promptly to keep your CR‑V safe and reliable.

What is the malfunction indicator light on a Honda CR-V?

Malfunction Light: Also called the Check Engine light, this picture of a car engine means anything from a loose fuel cap to a major malfunction in your systems.

What is the most serious warning light on a car?

#1: Check Engine Light
The check engine light is something you shouldn’t ignore because there are several possible reasons why this light could appear. Most common reasons include issues with the vehicle’s emission system, engine components, or fuel compartment.

What do the lights on the dashboard of a Honda CRV mean?

Green dashboard lights are not cause for concern; continue driving normally. Yellow: A problem may be present. Caution should be exercised if these lights come on, and you should look into the issue. Red: Stop the car whenever possible, as a major problem has occurred. Bring your car to a service center immediately.

What is the yellow light on my Honda CRV?

Malfunction Indicator Lamp: Also known as the Check Engine light, this Honda CR-V dashboard warning light looks like a yellow car engine, and it will come on when there’s a problem with the emissions control system. If a misfire in the engine is detected, this warning light will blink.