Every Dashboard Light in Your Nissan Altima
Today's cars are sophisticated. While Nissan designs its vehicles to be user-friendly, there's a lot going on under the hood. Your 2025 Nissan Altima is an investment, one you want to protect and maintain so it will serve you for years to come. And it will if you take care of it. Knowing what your car is telling you will help you do just that. Your Altima's language is dashboard lights. Understanding what each one means is essential.
This post is your Rosetta Stone for your Nissan Altima, so bookmark it, pin it, or save it. It'll come in handy.
Dashboard lights come in two flavors – warning (red or yellow) and indicator (green or blue). The color of the light is the first message from your Altima.
Red, as you might expect, means a potentially serious, even dangerous, problem that you need to address as soon as possible. You'll want to get your Altima to a certified expert like the ones at Coulter Nissan's Service Center.
Yellow signifies a relatively minor issue that requires action on your part, but not necessarily a trip to the shop. You can keep driving, but don't ignore the warning for too long. Like every gas-powered car on the road, an Altima that's on fumes will eventually stop if you don't fill 'er up.
Green, blue, or white lights are little nudges from your Altima. They tell you whether a particular system is active and remind you to disengage it if it's not needed.
Pro tip: If you have your 2025 Nissan Altima manual handy, grab a sticky note and mark page 95. If you don't have a copy, you can download the 2025 Nissan Altima Owner’s Manual here.
This guide is broken down by severity, so we'll start with the red warning lights in every Nissan Altima.
Nissan Altima Red Warning Lights
Brake Warning (BRAKE): Parking brake on or low brake fluid. If it stays on with the brake released, check fluid and service immediately.
Charge Warning (battery): Alternator/belt/charging fault; turn off extras and get service.
Electronic Parking Brake Indicator (PARK): Shows EPB is applied; should turn off when released. If it won’t, service.
Engine oil pressure (oil can): While this is not an oil-level gauge, it does mean your Altima's oil pressure is low. Pull over and shut the engine off now.
Master Warning: This means a critical message is in the vehicle info display (e.g., parking brake release warning, door open while moving, “hands-on” steering alert). Address the on-screen message.
Seat Belt + chime: Buckle up! It's the law. (That goes for everyone in the vehicle.)
Security Indicator (car + key): Blinks with ignition OFF/LOCK/AUTO ACC to show the immobilizer/security system is armed.
Airbag Warning Light: If it stays on/ or flashes, your Altima could have an airbag or pretensioner fault. Service ASAP
Nissan Altima Yellow Warning Lights
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS): This means there's an anti-lock braking system issue. You can still brake, but there's no ABS assist.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection: System OFF/unavailable; clean sensors/windshield or re-enable.
Electronic Parking Brake System: EPB system fault—have it checked.
Front Passenger Air Bag Status (“PASS AIRBAG OFF” icon): Indicates passenger air bag is OFF depending on seat use/weight.
Low Tire Pressure (TPMS): Inflate all four tires to the door-jamb label; drive >16 mph to turn light off. Flash then solid = TPMS fault.
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL / “check engine”): Emissions/engine issue; also lights for loose fuel cap or running out of fuel. Steady = schedule service; blinking = misfire—avoid high load and service now.
Master Warning (yellow use-cases): This one triggers for no key, low washer fluid, door/trunk open, loose fuel cap, low tire pressure, AWD warning (if equipped). Check your Altima's display for specifics.
Power Steering (steering wheel + !): Electric power steering issue; steering will be heavier—service.
Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) System: ON at startup then off; if illuminated while driving, RAB is OFF or unavailable.
Slip Indicator (car with squiggles): Vehicle Dynamic Control (stability) is actively limiting wheel-spin; brief flashing is normal.
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF: Stability control has been turned OFF in settings; turn it back on for normal driving.
Nissan Altima Green & Blue Indicator Lights
Automatic Brake Hold (ABH OR AVH) Indicator: White = standby; Green = actively holding the brakes.
High Beam Assist (HBA) (green “A” headlamp): Auto high-beam function active when the headlight switch is in AUTO and high is selected.
High Beam (blue headlamp): High beams are on (or passing signal).
Side Light/Headlight Indicator (green): Parking lights or headlights are on.
Turn Signal/Hazard Lights (green arrows): Both flash for hazards.
“If Equipped” Lights You Might Also See in Your Altima
Electric Shift Control System Warning: Fault in the electronic shifter system; apply parking brake and service.
Hands-Off Warning (Steering Assist): Reminds you to keep hands on the wheel when lane/steering assist is active; escalates if you don’t respond.
Front Fog Light Indicator: Illuminates when fog lamps are on (if your trim has them).
Exterior Light Indicator: Another label Nissan uses for the side/headlight status lamp above.
Take Care of Your Nissan Altima
Now you know how to speak Altima. Use the information your car gives you to keep it in peak condition so you can be safe on the road and drive it for years to come.
If you ever need more information about your Altima, warning lights or any other questions, the professionals at Coulter Nissan's Service Center have you covered. Schedule service and get that warning light resolved today!