Kia Warning Lights & Exclamation Points: Causes and Solutions

So you’ve been driving around Springfield when you noticed your Kia warning light come onto your dashboard, which means it’s time to come into the service center at Kiefer Kia. If you’ve noticed your Kia warning lights and exclamation point come across the dash, don’t be alarmed. There’s no immediate danger, but you should make it a top priority to bring your vehicle into our service center or schedule an appointment.

Triangle Light On Dash and Kia Models

With as many as 29 different Kia dashboard lights on new Kia models, it’s always best to know the difference between a light that indicates an active feature vs. one that indicates critical maintenance, like a Kia check engine light. Read on to learn more about how to identify the Kia malfunction indicator lights and what they mean to us. If you have any other questions, you can contact us today, and we’ll get you squared away in no time.

Kia Dashboard Light and Exclamation Point Meanings

Learning to differentiate between a Kia malfunction indicator light and a system engagement light can not only help you be more informed, but it can also help you have peace of mind on Salem roads.

Even though a number of Kia dash lights provide an indication of everyday vehicle functions, other can indications can be a warning of serious issues. If you see a Kia warning light exclamation point, your Master Warning light has been tripped, meaning two or more of the following systems have issues: washer fluid, TPMS, Blind Spot Detection (BSD), or your fuel cap is open. Along with the Master Warning light, some of the most important Kia dash lights to be aware of include:

• Malfunction (Engine Malfunction) Indicator Lamp – also known as the Kia check engine light, means there’s an emission issue or another engine problem.
• Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light – will appear when your engine oil is not at the right pressure. Maintaining the proper amount of oil is important to prevent overheating and engine damage. You should add more oil as soon as possible.
• Electric Power Steering (EPS) Warning Light – are you having to apply more effort to make steering corrections? This means that your power steering has malfunctioned.
• ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) Warning Light – ABS surrounded by a circle and parenthesis indicates that your ABS system is in disrepair. If you see this light, this means that your braking system needs to be examined.
• TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) Malfunction Indicator – this horseshoe type symbol with an exclamation mark in the middle indicates low tire pressures. Should this symbol start flashing when you start up your Kia, this means the system has detected a malfunction and cannot accurately gauge tire pressure.
• Airbag Warning Light – if you see the “AIRBAG” light stay on, blink, or come on as you’re driving, your airbag system has detected a malfunction. Have your vehicle checked immediately to ensure you’re safe as possible.
• Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light – your engine is likely overheating if this indicator comes on and stays lit in red. You’ll need to pull over as soon as it’s safe and not continue to drive. You can always reach out to our team for assistance if you end up stuck on the road.

Turning Off Kia Warning Lights

If you’ve performed service or any type of repair but the light isn’t turning off – or, the light is triggered for no reason, and you’re trying to deactivate it, there are several ways to accomplish this. The simplest method is to unhook the battery cable after the service is complete, wait 10 seconds, and reconnect. Otherwise, refer to the owner’s manual regarding additional steps to rectify the situation.

Visit Kiefer Kia for Expert Kia Service

While this list certainly doesn’t cover all of the Kia warning lights, these are the lights that indicate some of the most critical malfunctions. Whenever you’re driving through the Corvallis area and see one of these lights appear, if you’re concerned, feel free to schedule a service appointment, and our service technicians will take a look! You don’t have to go far to get the kind of service and coverage that you’ve come to expect from the expert staff at Kiefer Kia.