Japanese car maker Nissan released the first generation of the X-Trail (T-30) in 2000. The second generation (T-31) followed in 2007 and the third, current model (T-32) was released in 2013. These dashboard warning light symbols should cover all generations of the Nissan X-Trail.
What Should I do if a Warning Light Comes on?
If a dashboard warning light comes on your Nissan X-Trail, you should find out its meaning as soon as possible. Whilst some lights and symbols are there simply for informational purposes, others may represent danger. This is often indicated by the colour of the symbol.
What the Different Colours Mean.
On the Nissan X-Trail, you’ll have green, blue, amber / yellow and red symbols.
- Green and blue: These coloured symbols are used for informational purposes to let you know something is active.
- Amber or yellow: These coloured symbols let you know that something requires your attention soon but are not usually urgent.
- Red: Never ignore a red symbol. A red symbol may be an indication of imminent mechanical and/or electrical failure. In some instances, vehicle damage may occur and vehicle occupant safety may be compromised.
Nissan X-Trail Dashboard Warning Lights
Detailed below are the dashboard warning lights for the Nissan X-Trail along with their meaning and possible explanation of what to do.
Symbol name: Brake (RED)
Urgency: Urgent
Description: The symbol of a circle containing an exclamation mark in red indicates a brake warning.
Action: First: Check your hand brake is fully released.
Second: Stop as soon as it’s safe and check brake fluid levels. If levels are at minimum or below, top up.
Third: If the hand brake is fully released and brake fluids are sufficient, have vehicle checked immediately. It’s highly advised not to continue your journey due to a brakes malfunction.
Symbol name: Brake (YELLOW)
Urgency: High
Description: This is the same symbol of a circle containing an exclamation mark. If this illuminates on the Nissan X-Trail dashboard in yellow, it indicates a malfunction with the electronic parking brake.
Action: Have vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Symbol name: Parking Brake
Urgency: Medium
Description: This symbol of a circle containing the letter ‘P’ indicates that the electronic parking brake is operational. If the light stays on while driving or flashes along with the yellow 
symbol, it indicates that there’s a possible malfunction with the electronic parking brake.
Action: Have vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Symbol name: ABS
Urgency: Medium
Description: The Nissan X-Trail ABS (Anti Lock Brake System) is a safety feature that shortens stopping distances whilst under heavy braking. Due to the wheels not locking up, skidding is often reduced. The ABS light should come on briefly when you start the engine. This is the system checking itself and when the light goes out, they system is operational.
Action: If the light stays on or comes on when driving, there is a malfunction. Normal brakes are not affected by this fault, though you should avoid using heavy braking and have your vehicle checked as soon as possible. Quite often an ABS id due to a malfunctioning wheel speed sensor.
Symbol name: Battery Charge
Urgency: Urgent
Description: The red battery charge warning light comes on with ignition briefly. This is a self-check and when the light goes out, it means the charging system is operating correctly. If the light stays on, or comes on the dashboard while driving, it indicates a fault. There are various reasons for this malfunction.
Action: Immediately switch off any unnecessary electrical drains such as heater, USB charging etc. Pull over and switch off the engine.
- Check alternator belt is present and working.
- Check battery terminals are firmly secured. If those doesn’t correct the fault, it’s likely a faulty battery, alternator, wiring or connections.
Symbol name: Power Steering
Urgency: Low
Description: By switching the ignition on the Nissan X-Trail to ON, the yellow electric power steering light comes on briefly. When it goes out once the engine has started, this means the system is operational. If the yellow steering wheel with an exclamation mark next to it comes on while driving, there’s a fault with the electric power steering system and will cease operation.
Action: Electric power steering assists normal steering by making it easier to turn the wheel. You’ll still be able to turn the wheel by it will require greater effort, particularly at slow speeds. This is not a dangerous fault but should be looked into soon.
Symbol name: Forward Braking
Urgency: Medium
Description: This is the Nissan X-Trail forward emergency braking system dashboard light. An alternative light will see an exclamation mark in the centre. If the warning light comes on (orange) when the system has not been manually deactivated, there is a fault with the system and it’ll be unavailable. Here’s the possible reasons for a fault:
- Fault 1: The system relies on a radar located at the front of the vehicle. Other radar interference can cause the system to turn off automatically.
- Fault 2: The sensor is blocked.
Action: Take the following action based on the fault:
- Fault 1 remedy: Once the radar source has gone, the system will activate.
- Fault 2 remedy: Park up and switch off the engine. Check the of your vehicle where the sensor is located and check for obstructions such as dirt, oil etc. Clean the area and restart vehicle. IF the light remains on after these checks, the system has malfunctions and requires servicing.
Symbol name: Tyre Pressure
Urgency: Medium
Description: Under normal procedure, the low tyre pressure light (TPMS) will come on when the ignition is set to ON. When it goes out, it indicates the system is functioning correctly. There are two examples of when the light (orange) comes on:
- Fault 1. One or more tyre pressures is low.
- Fault 2. The tyre pressure monitoring system has malfunctioned.
Action: Take the following action based on the fault:
- Fault 1: Stop as soon as safely possible and adjust tyre pressures. The recommended pressures are located on the placard on the inside ‘B-pillar’ of the driver door. The tyre pressure monitoring system will need to be reset each time tyre pressures are adjusted.
- Fault 2: If the warning light flashes for approx 1 minute, the TPMS has malfunctioned.
Tyre Pressure System Reset
For details on how to reset the tyre pressure system, see Nissan X-Trail Tyre Pressure Reset
Symbol name: Malfunction (RED)
Urgency: High
Description: If this malfunction warning light comes on in RED on the Nissan X-Trail dashboard and stays on continuously, it indicates an engine control system malfunction (diesel versions only).
Action: Have vehicle checked as soon as possible. Continual driving with this red warning light may result in poor driveability, poor economy and potential damage to the engine control system which may void the warranty.
Symbol name: Malfunction (ORANGE)
Urgency: High
Description: The orange malfunction indicator light (MIL) if it comes on and stays on may indicate a problem with the engine control system or if this symbol flashes, it may indicate a fault with the emission control system.
Action: Have vehicle checked immediately as damage may occur. To reduce or avoid damage if the light flashes:
- Avoid driving at speeds above 70 km/h (43 MPH).
- Avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration.
- Avoid going up steep uphill grades.
- Avoid carrying or towing unnecessary loads.
Symbol name: SRS / Airbag
Urgency: High
Description: The Nissan X-Trail Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) air bag light comes on when the ignition is switched to ON for around 7 seconds then goes off. This indicates the system if operational and functional.
Action: If any of these situations occur, the SRS and air bag systems require servicing:
- The SRS air bag warning light stays on longer than 7 seconds.
- The SRS air bag warning light flashes intermittently.
- The SRS air bag warning light does not come on at all.
Symbol name: Master Warning Light
Urgency: Varies
Description: The Nissan X-Trail triangle containing exclamation mark is the master warning light and illuminates for a variety of reasons.
Action: The Nissan X-Trail Master Warning Light Symbol comes on under the following conditions:
- Steering lock release malfunction light
- No Key detected warning
- Key ID incorrect warning
- Shift to Park warning (Xtronic (CVT) Continuously Variable Transmission models)
- Door/back door open warning
- Low fuel warning
- Release parking brake warning
- Engine start operation indicator (Xtronic (CVT) Continuously Variable Transmission models)
- Key System Fault warning
- Low Tyre Pressure warning
- Tyre pressure system fault
- CVT System Fault warning (Xtronic (CVT) Continuously Variable Transmission models)
- Low oil pressure ‘Stop vehicle’ warning
- 4WD system fault warning
- 4WD High Temperature. ‘Stop vehicle’ warning
- Tyre size incorrect warning
- Key battery low warning
- Low Battery Voltage Charge warning
- Headlight system fault warning
- Chassis control system fault warning
- Second row seat belt warning
Symbol name: ESP
Urgency: Medium
Description: The Nissan X-Trail Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is a safety feature that helps to stabilise the vehicle during loss of control.
- Flashes: This indicates the system is in use and the vehicle is being driven to it’s limits.
- Stable on: This indicates that ESP has malfunctioned and requires a service.
Action: If ESP has malfunctioned (stable on, orange), the vehicle can still be driven, but exercise caution as this safety feature will be unavailable.
Symbol name: Water in Fuel Filter
Urgency: High
Description: This is the water in fuel filter warning light for the Nissan X-Trail diesel versions only.
Action: The filter requires draining. Continual driving without drainage can seriously damage the engine.
Symbol name: ECO
Urgency: N/A
Description: The Nissan X-Trail ECO mode light illuminates in green when the ECO mode system is turned on. The ECO mode system helps to reduce fuel usage by controlling the engine and Xtronic CVT operation automatically to avoid rapid acceleration.
Action: Switch on ECO mode to help reduce fuel consumption.
Symbol name: Glow Plugs
Urgency: Medium
Description: For diesel models only, the glow plugs are used in cold weather to aid starting the engine. If the glow plugs have already warmed up, the indicator light will briefly flash then go out.
Action: The glow plugs and light will stay on for longer periods during very cold periods. If the glow plug light stays on constantly, have your vehicle checked. It’s likely diagnostic equipment will be required to find the specific fault code.
Symbol name: Pure Drive Hybrid
Urgency: Medium
Description: The exclamation mark inside a car warning light is a fault with the Nissan X-Trail hybrid system. It indicates a fault with the electric motor or other hybrid components. Faults may include:
- Traction motor and inverter system
- Charge port or on board charger
- Li-ion battery system
- Cooling system
- Shift control system
Action: You should stop the car as soon as possible and contact a Nissan workshop.
Symbol name: Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
Urgency: Medium
Description: The diesel version of the Nissan X-Trail has a diesel particulate filter that sporadically requires cleaning. This is usually an automatic process that is undertaken without driver knowledge. However, if the DPF warning light comes on, it means driver intervention is required. Usually a good drive on a road that doesn’t require slowing or stopping such as a motorway for up to 15 miles while maintaining an engine speed of 2000 rpm or over should be sufficient to clean the filter.
When the DPF warning light comes on, it means previous automatic attempts at the cleaning process have failed. Filters often fail to clean properly and become clogged due to frequent short journeys. If after the final attempt fails, the malfunction indication light (MIL) / check engine light will also illuminate. At this stage, it’s advisable to have your vehicle serviced to prevent potential expensive damage to the filter.
Symbol name: Security
Urgency: Medium
Description: The key in the car symbol is the Nissan X-Trail anti-theft security (NATS) warning light. The security light flashes when the ignition is in the ‘Lock’ / ‘Off’ position which informs the drive that security system is equipped and operational. If the security system is malfunctioning, the light will remain on when the ignition is switched to the ‘On’ position.
If you’re unable to start the engine, try an alternative key. If you do not have an alternative key, replace the battery in the key fob. If you’re still unable to start the engine, it means there’s a problem with the security system and the NATS requires a service. A common fault with the NATS system is car battery related. Charge your vehicle’s battery and/or have the battery tested.
