Nissan dashboard lights can appear at any time, and not every symbol means the same thing. Some indicators simply show that a feature is operating, while others warn you about a condition that may need immediate attention. Understanding the icon, color, and behavior of the light can help you decide what to do next.
This complete guide covers Nissan dashboard symbols and meanings from 2013 through 2025, with additional information for popular models such as the Nissan Altima and Nissan Sentra. It explains common warning lights for the engine, brakes, battery, oil pressure, tires, airbags, traction control, and driver-assistance systems.
Because Nissan dashboards can change according to model, year, trim, and equipment, the exact symbols in your vehicle may differ. Nissan provides vehicle-specific owner’s manuals by model and year, so use this guide to understand a symbol and then confirm the exact instructions for your Nissan.
Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings 2023
The 2023 Nissan dashboard includes familiar warning lights as well as indicators for newer electronic safety and driver-assistance systems. Depending on the model, you may see symbols for braking, engine operation, tire pressure, charging, airbags, traction control, and vehicle warnings.
Here are some of the most common Nissan dashboard symbols:
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
| 🛢️ | Engine Oil Pressure | Low engine oil pressure |
| 🔋 | Charge Warning | Possible charging-system problem |
| ⚠️ | Master Warning | A vehicle warning requires attention |
| ABS | ABS Warning | Possible anti-lock braking system problem |
| 🛞! | Low Tire Pressure | Low tire pressure or TPMS issue |
| 🚗 | Malfunction Indicator | Possible engine or emissions malfunction |
| ⭕! | Brake Warning | Brake-system or parking-brake warning |
| 🔺 | Slip Indicator | Traction/VDC system activity or warning |
Nissan explains that dashboard warning lights should be taken seriously because they provide information about vehicle systems. Its official guide specifically covers common warnings such as Check Engine, ABS, brake, coolant temperature, tire pressure, oil pressure, and battery indicators.
A useful distinction is between a warning and an indicator. A blue high-beam symbol, for example, normally tells you that the high beams are active. A red oil-pressure warning, on the other hand, can indicate a condition requiring immediate attention.
Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings 2022
The 2022 Nissan dashboard uses many of the same core warning symbols found on other Nissan vehicles. Common examples include the ABS light, brake warning, airbag warning, low tire pressure light, battery symbol, oil-pressure symbol, and Malfunction Indicator Light.
Modern Nissan vehicles can also display warnings connected to driver-assistance features. The exact selection depends on the vehicle and trim.
If a warning remains illuminated after the engine starts, check the vehicle information display and owner’s manual. A light that appears briefly during the startup self-check can be normal, but a warning that stays on or flashes may require further attention.
Common 2022 Nissan Warning Lights
- ABS — Possible anti-lock braking system fault.
- BRAKE — Brake or parking-brake warning.
- Battery — Possible charging-system problem.
- Oil Can — Low engine oil pressure.
- Tire With Exclamation Mark — Low tire pressure or TPMS issue.
- Airbag Symbol — Supplemental restraint-system warning.
- Engine Symbol — Malfunction Indicator Light.
- Slip Symbol — Vehicle Dynamic Control or traction-related indicator.
- Master Warning Triangle — Additional warning information may be available.
Nissan emphasizes that the vehicle-specific owner’s manual contains the detailed meaning and response for each warning.
2016 Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings
A 2016 Nissan generally uses a traditional collection of warning and indicator lights. Depending on the model, the dashboard may show warnings for brakes, oil pressure, charging, engine temperature, airbags, tire pressure, and engine operation.
Some of the most important symbols include:
- Oil Pressure — Indicates low engine oil pressure rather than simply low oil level.
- Battery — Indicates a potential charging-system problem.
- ABS — Indicates a possible anti-lock braking system problem.
- Brake — Can relate to the parking brake or brake system.
- Temperature — Indicates an engine coolant temperature concern.
- Airbag — Indicates a potential supplemental restraint-system issue.
- TPMS — Indicates low tire pressure or a tire-pressure monitoring issue.
- Check Engine — Indicates that the vehicle has detected a potential engine or emissions-related problem.
- Seat Belt — Reminds occupants to fasten their seat belts.
The distinction between oil pressure and oil level is particularly important. A driver should not assume that an oil-pressure warning is simply a reminder to add oil.
Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings 2021
The 2021 Nissan lineup continued to use familiar mechanical warning lights while also offering more electronic driver-assistance indicators on equipped vehicles.
Common warnings include the Malfunction Indicator Light, ABS, brake, charging, oil pressure, low tire pressure, airbag, master warning, and slip indicator.
The Check Engine light deserves special attention. Nissan explains that a steady Malfunction Indicator Light can indicate an emissions-control malfunction, while a blinking light can indicate an engine misfire that may potentially damage the emissions-control system.
Other indicators may simply show that a system is operating. For example, a traction-control-related symbol may illuminate or flash when the vehicle’s stability or traction system is actively responding to wheel slip.
2017 Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings
The 2017 Nissan dashboard includes many symbols that are still familiar to drivers today. The most important categories are braking, engine, oil pressure, battery charging, temperature, tire pressure, airbags, and vehicle stability.
Important Symbols To Recognize
Brake Warning: A brake-related warning should not be ignored. Depending on the vehicle, it may relate to the parking brake, brake fluid, or another brake-system condition.
Oil Pressure: This warning relates to engine oil pressure. If it illuminates while the engine is running, follow the vehicle-specific instructions promptly.
Battery: The battery-shaped warning generally relates to the vehicle charging system rather than proving that the battery itself is defective.
ABS: An illuminated ABS warning can indicate a problem within the anti-lock braking system.
Check Engine: This indicates that the vehicle’s diagnostic system has detected a condition requiring investigation.
Recognizing these symbols can help a driver distinguish between a routine indicator and a warning that needs service.
2018 Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings
The 2018 Nissan dashboard combines standard vehicle warnings with model-specific indicators. Common symbols include the brake, ABS, battery, oil pressure, airbag, tire pressure, engine, seat belt, and temperature warnings.
You may also see green or blue indicators that are not necessarily signs of a fault.
For example:
- Blue High-Beam Indicator — High beams are active.
- Green Headlight Indicator — An exterior lighting function is active.
- Green Turn Arrows — Turn signals or hazard indicators are operating.
- ECO — An equipped vehicle’s ECO mode is active.
- Slip Indicator — The stability/traction system is operating or has detected a related condition.
This difference is useful because the color and purpose of a symbol provide additional context.
Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings 2018
The repeated 2018 search also reflects an important part of Nissan dashboard search intent: drivers often want to identify a symbol quickly rather than read a long technical explanation.
When a 2018 Nissan light appears, first check:
- The symbol shape — Identify what the icon represents.
- The color — Red, amber/yellow, green, and blue can provide useful context.
- Whether it is steady or flashing — Flashing behavior can change the significance.
- The vehicle information display — Some warnings provide additional text.
- The owner’s manual — Confirm the exact meaning for the specific Nissan model.
Nissan’s manuals are organized by vehicle and year, which is why using the correct manual is preferable to assuming every Nissan from the same year has an identical dashboard.
Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings 2020
The 2020 Nissan range includes conventional warning lights and, depending on the vehicle, electronic driver-assistance indicators.
One particularly useful symbol is the master warning light. It can alert the driver that additional information is available in the vehicle information display.
Other common symbols include:
| Symbol | Meaning |
| ABS | Anti-lock braking system warning |
| BRAKE | Brake or parking-brake warning |
| 🔋 | Charging-system warning |
| 🛢️ | Low engine oil pressure |
| 🛞! | Low tire pressure or TPMS warning |
| 🚗 | Malfunction Indicator Light |
| 👤⭕ | Airbag-system warning |
| 🔺 | Slip/VDC indicator |
| ⚠️ | Master warning |
Nissan notes that several warning systems work together, so one underlying problem can sometimes cause more than one warning to appear.
2013 Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings
A 2013 Nissan may have an older-style instrument cluster, but many of its essential warning categories remain recognizable.
The most important symbols to know include the brake warning, ABS, oil pressure, battery, coolant temperature, airbag, low fuel, seat belt, tire pressure, and malfunction indicator.
Older vehicles can also have model-specific indicators that are not found on newer Nissan dashboards. This is one reason a generic dashboard image should not be treated as an exact representation of every 2013 Nissan.
If a symbol is unfamiliar, note its shape and color and then check the owner’s manual for your specific model. Nissan’s manual database allows owners to select a vehicle and year to locate the appropriate documentation.
Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings 2025
The 2025 Nissan lineup includes traditional warning lights plus indicators associated with advanced driver-assistance and electronic vehicle systems.
Depending on the model, a driver may encounter warnings or indicators related to:
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Rear Automatic Braking
- Lane-related assistance
- Intelligent Cruise Control
- Tire pressure
- ABS
- Airbags
- Electronic parking brake
- Engine malfunction
- Oil pressure
- Charging system
- Vehicle Dynamic Control
- Master warnings
Not every 2025 Nissan has every symbol. Features depend on the specific model and trim.
Newer warning systems also mean that an illuminated icon does not automatically indicate a mechanical failure. Some symbols tell you that a safety feature is unavailable, switched off, or operating under certain conditions.
Nissan’s current manuals and guides are organized by model and year so drivers can confirm which indicators apply to their vehicle.
2019 Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings
The 2019 Nissan dashboard contains familiar warning lights alongside indicators for electronic systems. A 2019 Sentra owner’s manual, for example, lists ABS, AEB, brake, battery, oil pressure, low fuel, low tire pressure, airbag, engine, master warning, slip, VDC OFF, cruise, ECO, SPORT, and lighting indicators, depending on equipment.
The low tire pressure symbol deserves particular attention. A tire-pressure warning can mean that one or more tires have low pressure, while different warning behavior can indicate a TPMS malfunction.
The slip indicator is another symbol that can be misunderstood. It can illuminate or flash when the vehicle’s traction/stability system is working rather than automatically indicating a mechanical failure.
2024 Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings
The 2024 Nissan dashboard uses a broad range of warning and status indicators. The exact selection differs among models, but the major categories remain consistent.
Common 2024 Dashboard Icons
- ABS — Possible anti-lock braking system fault.
- Brake Symbol — Brake-system or parking-brake warning.
- Airbag Symbol — Supplemental restraint-system warning.
- Oil Pressure Symbol — Low engine oil pressure.
- Battery Symbol — Charging-system warning.
- TPMS Symbol — Low tire pressure or tire-pressure monitoring issue.
- Engine Symbol — Malfunction Indicator Light.
- Master Warning Triangle — A separate warning requires attention.
- Slip Symbol — Traction or Vehicle Dynamic Control activity.
- Lighting Indicators — Show that certain exterior lights are operating.
The most reliable interpretation comes from combining the icon with the message shown on the vehicle information display.
Altima Dash Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings
The Nissan Altima has model-specific dashboard symbols, and the available indicators vary between generations and trims.
Common Altima symbols include the brake warning, ABS, battery/charging warning, oil-pressure warning, low tire pressure, airbag, Check Engine, slip indicator, high-beam indicator, and turn-signal indicators.
Modern Altima models may also have symbols related to driver-assistance technologies. A 2017 Altima owner’s manual, for example, identifies the meters and gauges, warning and indicator lights, and vehicle information display as separate dashboard-related components.
Common Altima Symbol Meanings
- 🛢️ Oil Can — Low engine oil pressure.
- 🔋 Battery — Possible charging-system problem.
- ABS — Anti-lock braking warning.
- 🛞! — Low tire pressure or TPMS issue.
- 🚗 Engine Icon — Malfunction Indicator Light.
- ⭕! Brake — Brake or parking-brake warning.
- 🔺 Slip — Traction/VDC-related indicator.
- Blue Headlamp — High beams are active.
- Green Arrows — Turn signal or hazard indicators.
Always match the dashboard symbol to the correct Altima model year before taking action.
Sentra Dash Nissan Dashboard Symbols and Meanings
The Nissan Sentra uses many of the same fundamental dashboard symbols found throughout the Nissan lineup. However, the exact combination changes with model year, generation, trim, and optional equipment.
A 2019 Sentra owner’s manual lists numerous warning and indicator lights, including ABS, Automatic Emergency Braking, brake, battery, oil pressure, low tire pressure, airbag, malfunction indicator, master warning, slip, VDC OFF, cruise, ECO, SPORT, and lighting indicators.
For newer Sentra models, the dashboard can also contain more advanced driver-assistance indicators. Nissan’s parts documentation identifies the current Sentra generation as covering model years including 2020–2025, reinforcing why year-specific information matters when identifying a dashboard component or warning.
Sentra Warning Lights To Check First
If your Sentra displays a warning, pay particular attention to:
- Brake Warning — Check the brake-related condition before continuing normal driving.
- ABS — Indicates a potential anti-lock braking system issue.
- Oil Pressure — Treat as an important engine warning.
- Battery — May indicate a charging-system problem.
- Check Engine — Requires diagnosis, especially if flashing.
- TPMS — Check tire pressures and investigate persistent warnings.
- Airbag — Indicates a possible supplemental restraint-system issue.
- AEB Warning — May indicate an Automatic Emergency Braking system condition.
- Master Warning — Check the vehicle display for additional information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the red symbols on a Nissan dashboard mean?
Red Nissan symbols generally indicate warnings that deserve prompt attention, but the exact response depends on the individual symbol. Oil pressure, brake, charging, and overheating warnings can require particularly quick action.
Why is my Nissan dashboard showing a yellow warning light?
A yellow or amber light generally indicates that a system needs attention but does not necessarily mean you must stop immediately. The Check Engine, tire-pressure, and some driver-assistance warnings can appear in this color depending on the model.
What does the Nissan car with an exclamation mark symbol mean?
A car or warning symbol with an exclamation mark can have different meanings depending on the exact icon and vehicle. Check the accompanying message on the vehicle information display and the owner’s manual instead of relying on the symbol alone.
Can Nissan dashboard lights disappear by themselves?
Some indicators can disappear when the condition that triggered them is no longer present. Others remain illuminated until the system is checked or the underlying problem is repaired. A warning disappearing does not always prove that the original issue was resolved.
Where can I find the exact dashboard symbols for my Nissan?
Use Nissan’s official Manuals & Guides page and select the exact vehicle and model year. This is the most reliable way to match your dashboard to the correct warning-light information because symbols and available equipment can vary between models and years.
Conclusion
Nissan dashboard symbols give drivers quick information about important vehicle systems. From the oil-pressure and brake warnings to tire pressure, ABS, charging, airbags, traction control, and engine indicators, knowing the basic icons can make an unexpected dashboard light much easier to understand.
The symbol set can change significantly across model years and Nissan vehicles. A 2013 Altima, 2019 Sentra, and 2025 Nissan may not display the same indicators, while trim level and optional safety features can add even more symbols. That is why model-specific information is especially useful.
When a warning appears, look at the symbol, color, flashing or steady behavior, and any message displayed beside it. For serious warnings, follow your Nissan owner’s manual and have the vehicle inspected when necessary. Nissan’s official manual library is the best place to confirm the exact meaning for your specific vehicle.
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