Dashboard warning lights tell you what your Subaru needs right now
Your Subaru's dashboard lights are a direct line from the car's computer to you. When a light comes on, it means a sensor has detected something — sometimes urgent, sometimes routine maintenance. The color and symbol tell you how fast you need to act: red lights mean stop soon, yellow or amber lights mean get service scheduled, and blue or green lights are just information. Knowing what each one means keeps you from ignoring something serious or panicking over something minor.
The exact lights and their meanings vary by model year and trim level, but the basic system is the same across all Subarus. Some lights stay on until you fix the underlying problem. Others turn off once the condition clears — like the check engine light after you tighten a loose gas cap. A few lights, like the seatbelt reminder, turn off once you comply.
Key Takeaways
- Red warning lights signal when ready or urgent issues; pull over safely and do not drive the car until you understand what triggered the light.
- Yellow or amber lights indicate maintenance is needed soon; schedule service within days or weeks depending on the light, but the car is usually safe to drive.
- Blue and green lights are informational only and do not indicate a problem with the vehicle.
- Your owner's manual lists every light your specific model uses; the manual is the most reliable source for what each symbol means on your car.
- A blinking check engine light means a misfire is occurring right now; stop driving and have the car towed rather than continuing to the shop.
Red warning lights: stop and address when ready
Red lights on a Subaru dashboard mean something is wrong right now and continuing to drive could damage the engine, transmission, or brakes. The most common red lights are the oil pressure warning (an oil can symbol), the engine temperature warning (a thermometer in a circle), and the brake system warning (a circle with an exclamation point). If any red light comes on, pull over to a safe location as soon as you can and turn off the engine.
The oil pressure light means oil is not circulating through the engine at the right pressure. This can happen if the oil level is low, the oil pump has failed, or a sensor is faulty. Do not drive the car; check the oil level first if you can do so safely. If the level is normal, the car needs a tow to a shop. The engine temperature light means coolant temperature is too high, which can lead to engine damage within minutes of continued driving. Let the engine cool, check the coolant level if safe, and do not restart until it has cooled completely.
The brake system warning light can mean brake fluid is low, brake pads are worn, or the anti-lock brake system has detected a problem. Brake failure is a safety hazard to you and others on the road. If the light comes on while you are driving, pump the brakes gently to test them, then drive slowly to the nearest shop or have the car towed. Do not ignore this light.
Yellow and amber lights: schedule service within days or weeks
Yellow or amber lights indicate a problem that needs attention but is not an when ready safety risk. The most common are the check engine light (a stylized engine symbol), the tire pressure warning light (an exclamation point in a tire), and the battery warning light (a battery symbol). You can usually drive the car to a shop, but do not delay — these lights often point to problems that will get worse if left alone.
The check engine light turns on when the engine computer detects an emission system fault, a fuel system problem, or a misfire. A loose gas cap is the most common cause and the easiest to fix. Tighten the cap and drive for a few minutes; if the light does not turn off, the car needs diagnostic scanning to read the fault code. A blinking check engine light is different: it means a misfire is happening right now, which can damage the catalytic converter. If the light blinks, do not drive the car; have it towed instead.
The tire pressure warning light comes on when one or more tires are underinflated. Check all four tires with a pressure gauge and inflate them to the pressure listed on the driver's door jamb, not the maximum pressure on the tire sidewall. If the light stays on after you inflate the tires, one tire may have a slow leak or a sensor may be faulty. The battery warning light means the charging system is not supplying enough power to keep the battery charged. Drive to a shop soon; the battery will eventually run down and leave you stranded.
Blue and green lights: informational signals only
Blue and green lights are not warnings. They tell you that a system is active or a condition exists. The high beam indicator (a blue light with a beam symbol) comes on when you switch to high beams. The turn signal indicators (green arrows) flash when you signal a turn or lane change. The cruise control light (usually blue) shows that cruise control is engaged. None of these lights indicate a problem.
Some Subarus have a blue light that comes on in cold weather to indicate the engine block heater is active, or a green light showing that all-wheel drive is engaged. These are status lights, not warnings. They turn off when the condition changes or when you turn off the system. If you see a blue or green light you do not recognize, check your owner's manual to confirm it is informational.
Check engine light: the most common light and what triggers it
The check engine light is yellow or amber and comes on when the engine computer detects a fault in the emission control system, fuel system, or ignition system. It does not mean the engine is broken — it means the computer found a code that needs to be read. Common causes include a loose or missing gas cap, a faulty oxygen sensor, a bad catalytic converter, or a misfire in one cylinder.
If the light comes on while you are driving and stays steady (not blinking), the car is safe to drive to a shop. A shop will plug a diagnostic scanner into the port under the steering wheel and read the fault code, which tells them exactly what triggered the light. Some auto parts stores offer free scanning, though a shop scan is usually more detailed. Once the underlying problem is fixed, the light will turn off after a few driving cycles, or you can have a shop clear the code manually.
If the light blinks, stop driving when ready. A blinking light means a misfire is occurring — one or more cylinders are not firing correctly — and continuing to drive will overheat the catalytic converter and cause expensive damage. Have the car towed to a shop rather than driving it yourself.
Tire pressure and battery lights: the easiest to fix yourself
The tire pressure warning light is one of the few lights you can often fix without a shop visit. The light comes on when tire pressure drops below the threshold set by Subaru, usually around 25 percent below the recommended pressure. Check the pressure in all four tires using a tire gauge, and inflate each one to the pressure printed on the driver's door jamb (not the sidewall of the tire). The pressure usually ranges from 32 to 36 psi depending on your model.
If one tire is consistently low, it may have a slow leak from a puncture, a faulty valve stem, or a bead leak where the tire meets the rim. A tire shop can patch a puncture or replace a valve stem. If all four tires are low, you may have driven on them for a long time or the weather has turned cold — tire pressure drops about 1 psi for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Inflate them and monitor them over the next week. If the light comes back on and the tires are properly inflated, a tire pressure sensor may be faulty.
The battery warning light means the alternator is not charging the battery. You cannot fix this yourself, but you can prevent being stranded by driving directly to a shop rather than running errands. The alternator or its regulator has likely failed. A shop can test the charging system and replace the alternator if needed.
When to drive to a shop versus calling for a tow
Red lights and blinking check engine lights mean you should not drive the car. Pull over, turn off the engine, and call for a tow. Continuing to drive risks engine damage, brake failure, or transmission damage — all expensive repairs that could have been prevented by stopping when ready. If you are on a highway, turn on hazard lights and coast to an exit or a safe shoulder before stopping.
Yellow or amber lights usually mean the car is safe to drive to a shop, but do not take a long detour or run multiple errands. Drive directly to a shop and have the problem diagnosed. If you are far from a shop or the light came on at night, it is reasonable to drive home or to a nearby shop the next morning. If you are unsure whether a light is red or yellow, or if you cannot see the light clearly, err on the side of caution and have the car towed.
Your owner's manual lists which lights require when ready attention and which can wait. Keep the manual in your car or read it from Subaru's website so you can check it if a light you do not recognize comes on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with the check engine light on?
Yes, if the light is steady and not blinking. A steady check engine light means a fault code has been stored but no when ready damage is occurring. Drive to a shop within a few days to have the code read and the problem fixed. A blinking check engine light means a misfire is happening right now; do not drive the car.
Why does the tire pressure light come on in winter?
Tire pressure drops about 1 psi for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature decrease. If your tires were at the recommended pressure in fall, they may drop below the warning threshold in winter. Check the pressure and inflate to the door jamb specification. The light should turn off after a few minutes of driving.
What does it mean if multiple warning lights come on at once?
Multiple lights can indicate a serious problem like a dead battery, a failed alternator, or a major engine fault. If red lights come on along with other lights, pull over and turn off the engine. If only yellow lights come on together, drive to a shop soon. Your owner's manual explains what each light means on your specific model.
Do I need to clear the check engine light myself or should a shop do it?
A shop should clear the code after fixing the underlying problem. If you clear the code yourself without fixing the problem, the light will come back on within a few driving cycles. Some shops charge a small fee to clear the code; others do it for free when you pay for the repair.
Is it safe to drive with the oil pressure light on?
No. The oil pressure light means oil is not circulating correctly, which can cause engine damage within minutes. Pull over, turn off the engine, and check the oil level. If the level is normal, have the car towed to a shop. Do not drive it.