Renault warning lights: what each light means

Overheating or temperature warning light

Urgency: As soon as possibleRedSymbol: thermometer over wavy lines (coolant)

The temperature needle climbs towards the red zone or the coolant warning light comes on. It usually points to a lack of coolant, a leak, or a failing thermostat or water pump. Driving on can warp the cylinder head or damage the gasket.

What to do: Stop as soon as you can and switch the engine off. Do not open the coolant reservoir cap while it is hot. If coolant is missing, do not set off again until you have found the leak.

5 documented faults that trigger it in the Renault

• High severity: Coolant leak at the thermostat housing · 0.9 TCe engine · Captur I, Clio IV and Twingo III
• Critical severity: 3.0 dCi V6 overheating and expansion tank failures · 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 engine · Espace IV and Vel Satis
• High severity: Damaged head gasket and coolant loss · 1.2 16v engine · Clio II, Clio III, Clio IV and 4 more
• High severity: Head gasket (and, in some cases, cylinder head) · 1.4 and 1.6 8v engine · Clio II, Kangoo I and Mégane I
• High severity: Cooling fan board capacitors that can crack (0D1C recall campaign, 2018) · outside the engine · Scénic IV

• Overheating on Renault: by model
• Overheating: general guide

Oil pressure warning light on

Urgency: As soon as possibleRedSymbol: oil can (an oil can with a drop)

The red oil-can warning light means the engine is not getting the oil pressure it needs. The cause may be a low oil level, a failing oil pump or a blocked oil circuit. With low pressure, parts such as the turbo, the bearings or the timing drive can wear out within minutes.

What to do: Stop the car as soon as it is safe and switch the engine off. Check the level with the dipstick and do not drive on if the light stays on: call a recovery truck.

4 documented faults that trigger it in the Renault

• Critical severity: Wear and seizure of the big-end bearings · 1.5 dCi engine · Clio II, Clio III, Kangoo I and 7 more
• Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure · 1.2 TCe engine · Captur I, Clio IV, Kadjar and 4 more
• Critical severity: Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings · 1.9 dCi engine · Espace IV, Laguna I, Laguna II and 4 more
• High severity: Oil leak from the timing chain cover · 1.6 dCi engine · Espace V, Kadjar, Koleos II and 5 more

• Oil warning light on Renault: by model
• Oil warning light: general guide

Brake or handbrake warning light on

Urgency: As soon as possibleRedSymbol: circle with an exclamation mark, sometimes in brackets, or the word BRAKE; on cars with an electric parking brake a P may appear

A red warning light for the braking system, a circle with an exclamation mark or the word BRAKE. It comes on when the handbrake is applied, but it also warns of a low brake fluid level or a fault in the braking system. If it stays on with the handbrake released, it is not a warning to let pass.

What to do: Check that the handbrake is fully released. If the light does not go out, or you notice a soft pedal or poorer braking, stop the car in a safe place and call roadside assistance.

1 documented fault that triggers it in the Renault

• High severity: Possible reversed ABS lines and pump failures · outside the engine · Kangoo II

• Brake light: general guide

Electric parking brake warning

Urgency: Garage soonRedSymbol: letter P inside a circle in brackets, sometimes with an exclamation mark

Cars with an electric parking brake show a warning light or message when the caliper motor, its wiring or the control unit fails. The brake may not release or may not apply.

What to do: Do not rely on the handbrake if the warning appears: park on level ground and leave the car in gear. Have the system diagnosed.

10 documented faults that trigger it in the Renault

• Critical severity: 2010 recall for risk of the electric parking brake locking · outside the engine · Scénic II
• High severity: Electric parking brake failure (actuator, cable and sensor) · outside the engine · Espace IV
• High severity: Recall over the parking lock (P-lock) sensor on the Espace VI · outside the engine · Espace VI
• High severity: Campaign over the Rafale's parking lock (P-lock) sensor · outside the engine · Rafale
• Medium severity: Electric parking brake fault warnings · outside the engine · Laguna II
• Medium severity: Parking lock (P position) may not engage: campaigns 0EWQ and 0EY9 · outside the engine · Mégane E-Tech

And 4 more faults on the linked pages.

• Parking brake warning on Renault: by model
• Parking brake warning: general guide

Airbag warning light on

Urgency: Garage soonRedSymbol: a seated person wearing a seat belt with a circle (the inflated airbag) in front; in some cars, the letters SRS or AIRBAG

The airbag warning light means the system has detected a fault and an airbag or seatbelt pretensioner may not deploy in a crash. Causes range from a connector under the seat to the control unit or the airbag itself.

What to do: Have it diagnosed as soon as possible and check with the VIN whether the car has any outstanding airbag recall.

5 documented faults that trigger it in the Renault

• High severity: Passive safety recalls: seatbelts, seat rails, curtain airbags and child lock · outside the engine · Espace V
• High severity: Passive safety recalls: seat belts, seats, curtain airbags and child lock · outside the engine · Talisman
• Critical severity: Passenger airbag gas generator rupture · outside the engine · Trafic III
• Critical severity: Badly configured crash sensors: airbags and pretensioners may not activate · outside the engine · Trafic III
• Medium severity: Airbag warning light on because of a connector under the seats · outside the engine · Clio III

• Airbag light on Renault: by model
• Airbag light: general guide

Engine fault warning light (check engine)

Urgency: Garage soonYellow or amberSymbol: outline of an engine seen from the side, in yellow or orange

The orange engine-shaped warning light comes on when the ECU detects a fault affecting combustion or emissions. If it flashes, it usually points to misfires that can damage the catalytic converter.

What to do: If it stays on steadily, you can drive gently to a garage and ask for a fault code read-out. If it flashes or you notice a loss of power, slow down and get to a garage as soon as possible.

24 documented faults that trigger it in the Renault

• Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure · 1.2 TCe engine · Captur I, Clio IV, Kadjar and 4 more
• High severity: Failures of the Delphi direct-injection injectors · 1.9 dCi engine · Espace IV, Kangoo I, Laguna I and 6 more
• Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage · 2.0 dCi engine · Espace IV, Koleos I, Laguna III and 2 more
• Critical severity: Timing chain or tensioner failure · 0.9 TCe engine · Captur I, Clio IV and Twingo III
• Critical severity: LPG (ECO-G) system faults and tank recall · 1.0 TCe / SCe engine · Captur II
• Medium severity: Ignition coil failure · 1.4 and 1.6 16v engine · Clio II, Clio III, Fluence and 8 more

And 18 more faults on the linked pages.

• Engine warning light on Renault: by model
• Engine warning light: general guide

ABS or ESP warning light on

Urgency: Garage soonYellow or amberSymbol: the letters ABS, usually inside a circle, in amber or orange

It indicates a fault in the anti-lock braking or stability control system: often a dirty or damaged wheel speed sensor, its wiring or the hydraulic unit. The brakes still work, but without those aids.

What to do: Drive carefully, especially in the rain, and ask for a fault code read-out. It is often fixed with a wheel sensor.

5 documented faults that trigger it in the Renault

• High severity: Multiplex electrical system and hands-free card faults · outside the engine · Laguna II
• High severity: Possible reversed ABS lines and pump failures · outside the engine · Kangoo II
• High severity: Water ingress into the ABS/ESP modules · outside the engine · Mégane III
• Medium severity: Electrical faults: faulty alternator and ABS system · outside the engine · Twingo II
• High severity: ESP operating problem (built up to December 2014) · outside the engine · Twingo III

• ABS/ESP light on Renault: by model
• ABS/ESP light: general guide

Particulate filter warning light (DPF)

Urgency: Garage soonYellow or amberSymbol: particulate filter symbol on the dashboard, normally amber; its design varies by manufacturer

On modern diesels it means the particulate filter is clogged with soot and has not been able to regenerate. It is common in cars used mostly for short town journeys, although it can also be caused by a sensor or by an injection or EGR fault.

What to do: If the handbook allows it, a 20-minute drive on a motorway at a steady speed can complete the regeneration. If the light stays on or you lose power, go to a garage.

3 documented faults that trigger it in the Renault

• Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF) · 2.0 dCi engine · Espace IV, Koleos I, Laguna III and 2 more
• Medium severity: Blocked diesel particulate filter (DPF) · 1.6 dCi engine · Espace V, Kadjar, Koleos II and 5 more
• Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban use · 2.3 dCi (M9T) engine · Master III

• DPF warning light on Renault: by model
• DPF warning light: general guide

ESP warning light on or flashing

Urgency: Garage soonYellow or amberSymbol: the silhouette of a car with curved skid marks (swerving lines) beneath it, or the letters ESP, in amber or orange

The ESP light belongs to the electronic stability control, the system that brakes wheels individually and reduces power when the car starts to skid. It flashes while the system is intervening; if it stays on steadily, it usually indicates a fault (often a sensor) or that ESP has been switched off with its button.

What to do: If it flashes in a bend or on a wet road, ease off: ESP is working. If it stays on, switch off and restart, check the ESP OFF button has not been pressed and, if it persists, ask a garage for a fault code read-out.

3 documented faults that trigger it in the Renault

• High severity: Multiplex electrical system and hands-free card faults · outside the engine · Laguna II
• High severity: Water ingress into the ABS/ESP modules · outside the engine · Mégane III
• High severity: ESP operating problem (built up to December 2014) · outside the engine · Twingo III

• ESP light on Renault: by model
• ESP light: general guide

"Pollution control system faulty" message

Urgency: Garage soonYellow or amberSymbol: a text message on the dashboard ("anticontaminación defectuosa" or similar wording, in English "emissions system fault"), sometimes alongside an amber warning light

A common message on Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Opel cars from the Stellantis group. It appears when the ECU detects a fault in a component that controls emissions: the particulate filter, the EGR valve, the sensors, the AdBlue system or, on petrol engines, combustion problems.

What to do: It is not a specific fault but a generic warning. Have the car diagnosed with the right equipment to read the exact code before replacing any part.

3 documented faults that trigger it in the Renault

• Medium severity: Blocked EGR valve on the early 1.5 dCi · 1.5 dCi engine · Clio II, Kangoo I, Mégane II and 2 more
• Medium severity: NOx trap and AdBlue system on the Euro 6 1.5 dCi · 1.5 dCi engine · Captur I, Captur II, Clio IV and 7 more
• Medium severity: Emissions warning light on because of a calibration fault · 1.3 TCe engine · Arkana, Captur II, Clio V and 3 more

• Pollution control faulty on Renault: by model
• Pollution control faulty: general guide

AdBlue system warning

Urgency: Garage soonYellow or amberSymbol: AdBlue system warning in the instrument cluster, yellow or orange at first, usually accompanied by a text message and, later on, a countdown in kilometres

Diesels with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) use AdBlue to cut NOx emissions. A warning with a countdown ("engine will not restart in X km") indicates a low level or a fault in the AdBlue tank, pump, heater or injector. When the countdown reaches zero, the car will not start again.

What to do: If the tank is full and the warning persists, the problem lies with the system. Go to a garage before the countdown ends and keep your receipts in case the fault is covered by a manufacturer campaign.

2 documented faults that trigger it in the Renault

• Medium severity: NOx trap and AdBlue system on the Euro 6 1.5 dCi · 1.5 dCi engine · Captur I, Captur II, Clio IV and 7 more
• Low severity: SCR system and AdBlue tank faults · 2.3 dCi (M9T) engine · Master III

• AdBlue warning: general guide

Glow plug warning light flashing

Urgency: Garage soonYellow or amberSymbol: coil or spiral (the heating element of the glow plugs), in yellow or orange

On many diesels, the glow plug light flashes while the engine is running to warn of an engine management fault: fuel pressure, injectors, EGR or turbo, among others.

What to do: Go easy on the engine and ask for a fault code read-out. Driving like this for a long time can cause more serious damage.

1 documented fault that triggers it in the Renault

• Medium severity: Injector failure · 2.0 dCi engine · Espace IV, Koleos I, Laguna III and 2 more

• Flashing glow plug light: general guide

Power steering warning light on

Urgency: Garage soonYellow or amberSymbol: steering wheel with an exclamation mark, yellow or orange if the fault is minor and red if it is more serious

A warning light showing a steering wheel and an exclamation mark that warns of a power steering fault. When it comes on, the steering can become very heavy, especially at low speed and when parking, although the steering does not lock. Depending on the colour, the fault is considered minor (orange or yellow) or more serious (red).

What to do: If the steering has suddenly gone very heavy or the light is red, stop in a safe place and call for assistance. If it is yellow or orange and the car is still controllable, drive slowly and carefully to the garage.

1 documented fault that triggers it in the Renault

• Medium severity: Power steering faults: stiffness, play or a warning light · outside the engine · Mégane II

• Steering light: general guide

Tyre pressure warning light

Urgency: MonitorYellow or amberSymbol: cross-section of a tyre with an exclamation mark inside; on some cars, the letters TPMS in orange

The tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light warns of a wheel with low pressure or, if it flashes, of a fault in the system itself, such as a sensor with a flat battery.

What to do: Check the pressures when the tyres are cold as soon as possible. If they are fine and the warning stays on, have the sensors checked and reset the system as described in the handbook.

1 documented fault that triggers it in the Renault

• Low severity: Software faults: partial trip counter, tyre pressure warning and Start&Stop · outside the engine · Captur II

• Tyre pressure light: general guide

Hybrid system fault warning light or message

Urgency: Garage soon

Hybrid Toyotas and Lexuses show their own warning (a triangle or a message on the dashboard) when the hybrid system management electronics, such as the inverter, the battery or the electric motors, detect a fault, separate from the generic engine fault warning light. In some cases the car goes into a limited driving mode or loses electric drive.

What to do: If you also notice a loss of power or the car stalls, stop as soon as it is safe. Ask a garage with the right equipment to read the codes of the hybrid control unit, not just the petrol engine one.

2 documented faults that trigger it in the Renault

• High severity: Erratic behaviour of the E-Tech hybrid automatic gearbox · outside the engine · Austral
• Medium severity: Hybrid system electrical fault with "DANGER" warning and car won't start · E-Tech Híbrido engine · Arkana, Austral, Captur II and 3 more

• Hybrid system warning: general guide