Vauxhall Corsa Dashboard Warning Lights and meanings

All vehicles have universal dashboard warning lights, and other lights that are unique to that make or model. This section contains the warning lights for the Vauxhall Corsa.
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The lights listed cover various models of the Corsa from the most modern to older models. although warning lights may vary depending on the county the vehicle was manufactured. Each warning light is explained along with a picture detailing the symbol.

Typically with most vehicle manufacturers, dashboard warning lights signify the level of urgency by their colour. Lights that are blue or green in colour tend to provide information to the driver, such as fog lights being activated for example.

Symbols that are orange or yellow signify attention that must be dealt with soon, such as a vehicle service for example. More urgent lights are often illuminated in red and will often require immediate attention. Flashing lights may indicate immediate attention or may even require that you stop the vehicle immediately.

Vauxhall Corsa malfunction catalytic converter warning light
Vauxhall Corsa malfunction indicator dashboard warning light

Malfunction warning light

The Corsa malfunction warning light will illuminate when the ignition is switched and extinguish shortly afterwards as normal. If the light illuminates when the engine is running, there is an issue with emission control. The permitted gas emission are being exceeded. If the light flashes yellow whilst the engine is running, catalytic converter damage may be caused. Ease off the accelerator and seek assistance from a workshop immediately.


Vauxhall Corsa Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) warning light
Vauxhall Corsa Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) warning light

Corsa ABS warning light

The Vauxhall Corsa antilock brake light should illuminate for a few seconds when the ignition is switched one and soon extinguish. If the light does not go out or comes on whilst driving, there is a fault with the vehicle ABS system. Normal brakes will continue to work although a reduction in control under heavy braking may be observed. See the Anti-Lock Braking System guide for understanding what ABS is and how it works.



Vauxhall Corsa coolant temperature warning dashboard light
Vauxhall Corsa coolant temperature warning dashboard light

Coolant temperature

The engine coolant temperature light should illuminate for a few seconds when the ignition is turned on a extinguish soon after. If the light illuminates red whilst driving, safely stop the vehicle and turn off the engine. check engine coolant levels for sufficient coolant. If there is sufficient coolant, consult an authorised Vauxhall workshop. Before checking coolant, allow engine to cool down as scolding is a possibility. See what is engine coolant and how to check engine coolant for further details.


Vauxhall Corsa preheating and diesel particle filter dashboard warning light
Vauxhall Corsa preheating and diesel particle filter dashboard warning light

Preheating and diesel particle filter light

The Corsa diesel particle filter will flash if the filter requires cleaning and previous driving conditions did not allow for automatic cleaning. To enable cleaning, continue driving and if possible do not allow the engine speed to drop below 2000 rpm. Once automatic cleaning has finished, the preheating / diesel particle filter light will extinguish.


Vauxhall Corsa battery charging system dashboard warning light
Vauxhall Corsa battery charging system dashboard warning light

Battery charging system

Light will illuminate with ignition and extinguish shortly after. If battery warning light illuminates when engine is running, turn off engine as battery is not charging. If light flashes after an engine start, the battery voltage is too low. In either case a qualified workshop assistance is required. For further details regarding your vehicles battery, See car battery life expectancy and maintenance for help.



Vauxhall Corsa car with spanner - service vehicle dashboard warning light
Vauxhall Corsa service vehicle soon warning light

Service vehicle soon

The car with a spanner dashboard warning light informs the driver that they need to service / have their vehicle checked soon. If the light illuminate whilst the engine is running, there may be a fault with the engine or transmission electronics. Electronics will run in emergency mode. fuel consumption may increase and vehicle handling may be impaired. If the light flashes with the ignition switched on, it signifies a fault with the Corsa immobiliser system.


Vauxhall Corsa winter mode (snowflake) dashboard warning light
Vauxhall Corsa winter mode (snowflake) dashboard warning light

Winter Mode dash light

The snowflake symbol is illuminate on the dashboard to signify Winter Mode is activated. Whilst in Winter mode, it will assist you in moving off from a stationary position on a slippery road – on snow or ice for example.


Vauxhall Corsa exclamation in circle - brake and clutch warning light
Vauxhall Corsa brake and clutch warning light

Brake and clutch light

The exclamation mark contained within a circle warning light illuminates when the ignition is turned on and the handbrake / parking brake is applied. The brake and clutch warning light will also illuminate if the handbrake is released, signifying that the brake and clutch fluid levels are too low. On some models of Corsa, the light will flash when the ignition is switched off to signify the handbrake has not bee applied.


Vauxhall Corsa airbag and seat belt tensioners warning light
Vauxhall Corsa airbag and seat belt tensioners warning light

Airbag and seat belt tensioners warning light

Light illuminates with ignition for around 4 seconds. If the light fails to come on, or fails to go out after 4 seconds, there is a fault within the belt tensioners or airbag system. there will also be a flashing airbag light on the button in the Corsa. System needs to be checked as soon as possible as airbag or belt tensioners may fail to activate in an accident. For further information about airbags and possible faults, see why is the airbag light on?


Vauxhall Corsa tyre pressure monitoring system warning
Vauxhall Corsa tyre pressure monitoring system warning light

Tyre pressure warning

The tyre with an exclamation point inside indicates either a deflating type if the light is red, or if the light is yellow, there is a fault with the tyre deflation or tyre monitoring system. If the light illuminates red, stop immediately and check tyre pressures. See tyre legal limit for information on having too high and too low pressure in tyres.



Vauxhall Corsa power steering dashboard warning light
Vauxhall Corsa power steering dashboard warning light

Power steering light

The power steering warning light will illuminate yellow on the Corsa to signify the power steering system may have failed. The vehicle can still be steered although turning the wheel may require much more force than usual. An authorised Vauxhall workshop must be contacted.


Vauxhall Corsa low engine oil warning light
1. Vauxhall Corsa low engine oil warning light
Vauxhall Corsa low engine oil pressure warning light
2. Low engine oil pressure warning light

Engine oil pressure

1. The oil can picture with the line underneath illuminates yellow whilst driving to signify low engine oil level. Oil level should be topped up. See how to check engine oil for further information. Image 2. illuminates when the ignition is switched on and extinguishes after a few seconds. If oil light (2) illuminate whilst driving, it signifies low oil pressure and lubricant in the engine is interrupted. This may damage the engine. Stop the car safely and turn off engine immediately. Check oil levels and if satisfactory seek technical assistance.


Vauxhall Corsa electronic stabilty program warning dashboard symbol
Vauxhall Corsa electronic stability program warning dashboard symbol

Electronic Stability Program

For normal system, light will illuminate with ignition for a few seconds and extinguish. If the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) light illuminates whilst driving, it signifies the system is switched off or there is a fault with the system. Normal driving is possible although vehicle stability may deteriorate depending on road surface. If the light flashes whilst driving, the system is engaged. Engine output may be reduced and a small degree of automatic braking may be imposed.


Vauxhall Corsa ultrasonic parking assist dashboard light
Vauxhall Corsa (P with a triangle) ultrasonic parking assist dashboard light

Ultrasonic parking assist

The ultrasonic park assist light will illuminate on the Vauxhall Corsa to signify a fault with the system. Technical assistance from a Vauxhall workshop should be sought. If the light flashes, it signifies the sensors are dirty or covered by snow / ice, or the system is unable to operate correctly due to external ultrasound sources mixing with the systems signals. Once the external sources have stopped, the system will work correctly.



Vauxhall Corsa common light list

Vauxhall Corsa upshift light in green to save fuel
Upshift light – illuminate in green to recommend upshifting to save fuel
Vauxhall Corsa clutch pedal dashboard light
Apply clutch pedal light Clutch pedal must be pressed in order to start the engine
Vauxhall Corsa sports mode dashboard light
Vauxhall Corsa sport mode activated dashboard light
Vauxhall Corsa seat belt reminder light
Vauxhall Corsa seat belt reminder light illuminates or flashes red
Vauxhall Corsa directional indicator dashboard light
Direction indicators lights and hazard warning
Vauxhall Corsa low fuel warning light
Vauxhall Corsa low fuel warning light
Vauxhall Corsa high beam lights on warning light
Vauxhall Corsa high beam light on warning symbol
Vauxhall Corsa front fog lights on dashboard light
Front fog lights activated warning light
Vauxhall Corsa apply footbrake yellow warning light
Apply foot brake light – With manual transmission automated, engine can only be started by depressing the foot brake
Vauxhall Corsa cruise control dashboard symbol
Cruise control light activated. Light will flash when cruise control was activated without depressing the foot brake
Vauxhall Corsa adaptive forward lighting dashboard warning light
Vauxhall Corsa Adaptive forward lighting – if illuminates whilst engine is running, it signifies a fault in the system.
Vauxhall Corsa rear fog lights dashboard light
Vauxhall Corsa rear fog lights dashboard light
Vauxhall Corsa exterior lights turned on dashboard symbol
Exterior lights on

Other makes and models of vehicle dashboard lights

23 thoughts on “Vauxhall Corsa Dashboard Warning Lights and meanings”

  1. David

    what about the word “filter” ?

  2. Emma

    Hi my car is a vaxhall Meriva06 and a orange light with a spanner going down middle is on when driving in a orange colour and keeps going into limp mode what is this

  3. Rebecca

    I’ve Justine drove mine fine for 3days popped to the shop in and out tried to start car and nothing no noise only dash lights came on and the car with the spanner is on had to leave it at side of the road next to shop and call a taxi #fuming please can anyone tell me what is wrong ? (Sorry to jump on to comment xxx)

  4. Linda McManus

    My opal Cora started beeping then displayed a stop sign with a tick next to it and also a timer display of 73 days 48 hours 39 seconds. What does this mean?

  5. My car’s a corsa 2006 1.4 engine automatic petrol. While driving, the car’s engine light appears followed shortly by the battery light. The vehicle would struggle to move if I’m driving up hill or had stopped and have begun to accelerate. Once the car’s ignition is turned off it wouldn’t restart unless I disconnect the battery for a while then reconnect it. Can someone advice me on possible causes of these symptoms. Thank you.

  6. mark lees

    We have a 2020 corsa and have an amber light that keeps coming on. It doesn’t light up when the self check happens on start up, but comes on after being in reverse. We can’t find any reference to it in the hand book or online. Basically it’s the yellow circle with the 2 half circles around it, so i presume this is brakes, but inside the circle is a rear end of a car with 2 straight lines underneath it.
    Anyone know what it is?

  7. Hi Mark.
    It’s the Active Emergency Braking warning light and it may illuminate or flash in amber / yellow. If it just illuminates, it means the system has been deactivated or has a fault. It may illuminate if the seat belts of the front passengers are not fastened.

  8. Sandra Liddicott

    I have a new Vauxhall corsa a light will come on which looks like a hot cup of tea the sign is orange and it says caution but then goes out anyone else Experienced this.
    The garage hasn’t a clue

  9. Hi Sandra
    I thought that it is a warning telling you that you need a break from driving, but I might be wrong.

  10. Jay

    My Corsa doesn’t have cruise control but the LIm (16) has come on and I cannot find anything on it? The car drives normal after briefly slowing down for a few seconds. Is it safe to drive?

  11. A wrench symbol illuminates red in my Corsa dashboard. Is it serious enough that it needs immediate service? Thanks.

  12. Hi Ed,
    If it’s a car with spanner / wrench warning light in red, it means there’s a fault with the engine / transmission or electrics. Any fault light in red will generally require immediate attention, else it might result in vehicle breakdown and more costly repairs. I’d recommend having diagnostics to scan for fault codes.

  13. Carol Houghton

    Hi dos anyone no what a symbol of ,it looks like the world with circle going around it like the universe ,never seen this and can not find it anywhere on the net

  14. ken

    HI is there a warning light to tell you when the side and head lights are on ? 2004 corsa

  15. Hi Ken,
    Do you have a green symbol similar to the one at the bottom of all the warning lights on this page?

  16. Karl

    Hi, white light with a diagonal black line, looks like a national speed limit. Corsa 22 plate
    TIA

  17. Margaret Jenkins

    “Timer” . has appeared on screen and numbers appeared going up all the time. What is it and how to stop it. Corsa 1.4

  18. Hi Margaret,
    It’s part of the trip computer options that can be selected using the lever steering wheel stalk. It is as it says, a timer, for timing a journey or whatever else. There have been issues with some Vauxhall Corsa’s where the speed randomly changes to the timer. Some sort of software glitch.

  19. Joyce

    I have a 2013 Corsa and it died on me a while ago put in new power pack and so far recalibrate it 3 time’s but it’s telling me my boot is open replaced clasp but still says open?

  20. Helen Kiely

    I have a spanner symbol then words tyre monitor what does this mean

  21. Hi Helen,
    It means you have a problem with the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and the spanner symbol is an indication of a fault. A problem with the TPMS can occur for a few reasons, such as a tyre being fitted without a pressure sensor inside, a fault pressure sensor, or a sensor with a dead battery.

  22. Karen

    Does anyone know on a vauxhall corsa 2021 on ‘car information’ theres a circle above it with a tick mine is red. Is this normal, i cant find it on the net.

    Thanks

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