Hyundai Kona Warning Lights: What They Mean

Red: stop or act now

Airbag warning light

Comes on briefly at start-up; staying on while driving indicates a malfunction in the Safety Restraint System (SRS).
What to do: If it stays on while driving, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer. PDF page 142

Parking brake warning light

Parking brake is applied, or brake fluid level in the reservoir is low if it stays on with the brake released.
What to do: For low fluid, drive carefully to a safe place, stop, check brake fluid with engine off, add fluid, and check for leaks. PDF page 142

Other warnings and indicators

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning light

Comes on briefly at start-up; staying on or coming on while driving indicates an EPB malfunction.
What to do: If it remains on while driving, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer. PDF page 148

Low tire pressure warning light

One or more tires are significantly under-inflated; if it blinks then stays on, or blinks repeatedly, the TPMS has a malfunction.
What to do: See the TPMS section in chapter 8. PDF page 148

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

Comes on briefly at start-up; otherwise indicates a malfunction in the emission control system, engine or powertrain. PDF page 146

Low fuel level warning light

The fuel tank is nearly empty.
What to do: Refuel as soon as possible; driving on empty may cause misfire and damage the catalytic converter. PDF page 146

ESC indicator light

Blinks when ESC is operating; staying on means the ESC system has a problem.
What to do: If it stays on, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer soon. While blinking, drive slowly and never accelerate. PDF page 372

ESC OFF indicator light

Comes on when ESC is turned off. PDF page 372

Immobilizer indicator light

Blinking indicates an immobilizer system malfunction; also signals smart key detection status during starting.
What to do: If malfunction occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer. PDF page 154

Seat belt warning light

The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
What to do: See the Seat belts section in chapter 3. PDF page 142

Turn signal indicator light

Blinks when the turn signal lever is operated. Staying lit, blinking rapidly, or not lighting may indicate a malfunction.
What to do: If it behaves abnormally, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer. PDF page 155

Downhill Brake Control (DBC) indicator light

Green when DBC is activated or blinking when operating; yellow means a DBC malfunction.
What to do: If yellow stays on, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer. PDF page 155

Lane Safety indicator light

Green when Lane Keeping Assist conditions are met, grey when not; yellow when Lane Safety is off, disabled or malfunctioning.
What to do: If yellow stays on after the sensor is uncovered, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer. PDF page 150

AUTO STOP indicator light

The engine is in Idle Stop mode of the ISG system. PDF page 154

Summarized in our own words from the 2026 Hyundai Kona owner's manual (AI-assisted; every light name was matched against its cited page 2026-10-18). Your vehicle may not have every light, and other years can differ. A red warning that stays on usually means stop safely and check: your manual has the final word.