Nissan Altima Warning Lights: What They Mean

Red: stop or act now

Brake warning light

Serves both the manual parking brake and the foot brake system; it shows when the parking brake is applied. PDF page 96

Charge warning light

If it comes on while the engine runs, the charging system may not be working properly.
What to do: Turn the engine off and check the generator belt. If it is loose, broken, missing, or the light stays on, have it checked. PDF page 97

Electronic parking brake indicator light

Shows the electronic parking brake is operating. If it stays lit after release, or flashes with the yellow light, the system may be faulty.
What to do: Make sure it is off before driving. If it flashes or the yellow light is also on, have the system checked. PDF page 97

Amber: check soon

Steering Assist status indicator/warning

Shows Steering Assist status: gray is standby, green is active, and yellow means a Steering Assist malfunction. PDF page 330

Other warnings and indicators

Low tire pressure warning light

Tire pressure is low, or the TPMS has a malfunction. Cold temperatures can also trigger it.
What to do: Avoid sudden steering or braking, slow down, stop safely, and check all four tires. Drive above 16 mph after inflating to turn it off. PDF page 251

Power steering warning light

If it comes on with the engine running, power steering may be faulty. There is no power assist, but you keep control.
What to do: Have the power steering checked. PDF page 104

Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) system warning light

Comes on when the RAB system is turned off. If lit while the system is on, the system may be unavailable. PDF page 104

Slip indicator light

Blinks when VDC is working, showing a slippery road and the vehicle near its traction limits.
What to do: If it does not come on at ignition, have the system checked. PDF page 104

Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF indicator light

Shows that VDC has been turned off in the vehicle information display.
What to do: Turn VDC on via the display or restart the engine. If it stays on while driving, have VDC checked. PDF page 104

Green: system on

High Beam Assist indicator light

Headlights are on in AUTO with high beams selected, so high beam assist is operational. PDF page 105

Side light and headlight indicator light

Side light or headlight position is selected. PDF page 105

Turn signal/hazard indicator lights

Flash when the turn signal is activated; both flash when the hazard switch is on. PDF page 105

Blue: system on

High beam indicator light

High beams are on, or the passing signal is activated. It goes out when low beams are selected. PDF page 105

White: information

Automatic brake hold indicator light

White means automatic brake hold is on standby; green means it is operating. PDF page 105

Summarized in our own words from the 2026 Nissan Altima 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.