Toyota Master Warning Light Explained
Many models of Toyota vehicles have a warning light that’s a yellow triangle containing an exclamation point. Toyota call it the master warning light and it comes on or flashes for a variety of reasons.
What Does Toyota Master Warning Light Mean?
The Toyota master warning light means the following:
- A message that’s available to read
- An incorrectly performed operation has been carried out
- The vehicle is in need of maintenance
- A minor or serious fault has been detected
The master warning light may also be accompanied by an additional warning light or an audible alert, but will always come on with a message describing what the problem is.
Although the master warning light does at first glance appear to be a serious problem, the warning light can come on simply due to a loose gas cap, a door not being properly closed or that there’s simply a message to read due to an operation that has not been correctly carried out by the driver. Toyota’s master warning light comes on for the following reasons:
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Master warning light comes on with audible alert Both the master warning light (non-flashing) and audible alert indicates an important situation, for example; when a driving related system is malfunctioning or that danger may result if the correction procedure is not performed. |
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Master warning light flashes with audible alert A flashing master warning light and audible alert indicates an urgent situation that may result in damage to the vehicle or danger to passenger occupants. Generally a flashing master warning light and audible alert is considered the most urgent. |
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Master warning light comes on, audible alert does not sound The master warning light comes on (non-flashing) and the audible alert does not sound indicates a a possible malfunction of electrical components or the need for vehicle maintenance. |
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Master warning light flashes, audible alert does not sound Indicates a situation, such as when an operation has been performed incorrectly, or indicates how to perform an operation correctly. |
What Should I Do if the Master Warning Light Comes On?
Toyota’s master warning light should always be accompanied by a message. Read the message and follow the instructions on the multi-information display. If after carrying out the instructions the warning light comes back on, contact a Toyota workshop.
Additionally, look to see if any other warning lights have come on along with the master warning light. You can find out more about your Toyota’s warning lights by looking in your vehicle owner’s manual or by selecting your vehicle in the Toyota dashboard warning lights section.
How can you fix this issue ive got aftermarket headlight in on 2018 toyota hilux and the warning ligts come on how to fix this?
I have a 2016 Toyota Highlander XLE. The yellow triangle light with the black exclamation line came on but without an audible sound. It doesn’t stay on long it kinda flash on every now and then. What can that mean? How long will it be before you can answer that question?
Hi Lutisha,
It’s difficult to say because it’s a generic warning light, rather than a specific one. It’s usually a good idea to run through basic maintenance to rule anything obvious out. Check engine oil levels and engine coolant levels, not forgetting windshield washer fluid levels. Also check tire pressures. If it continues to come on intermittently without any other warning lights, take note of when it occurs. Does it occur when accelerating, during deceleration, braking, going uphill etc. If you note a specific point when it occurs, that might help the engineer. Might also be worth having diagnostics. A fault code reader hooked up to the vehicle. There may or may not be fault codes, but if there are, a diagnostic tool will read them and help direct the engineer to the problem.
My car is lexis and the side mirrors got stolen
My Toyota Highlander 2009 shows master warning.
What should I do?
Turn off your accidently engaged snow button.
Turn off any engaged snow or traction buttons.
I recently purchased a battery for my 2018 Toyota highlander but it wasn’t the right one and the master warning light came on. I went and purchased the correct one and it still won’t go off. How can I fix this?
Have a toyota chr sometime the master warning light is on the screen with a message ….i could not read it …because its written in chinese
Hi Linansha,
Do a search on YouTube and you should be able to find a video for going through the settings menu steps for changing your vehicle’s language to English.
My Toyota RAV 2018 turned on the máster warning and the motor turned off. Then a message said “check the energy charge system”. After a while turned in again and the message disappeared. I’m afraid I’m going to be stuck in the middle of the city with the car dead.