Welcome to the ultimate guide to all dashboard symbols, warning lights, errors and faults for the 2001 to 2024 Subaru Forester to assist in troubleshooting, diagnosis and solving these problems.
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Please note: This guide covers every single possible symbol/warning light for ALL model variations for Subaru Forester, including standard, premium and top-of-the-line models, plus variations in body shape. While this guide does cover your specific car, your car may not have all the symbols featured on this list.
Subaru Forester Symbols Guide
There are 25+ possible lights that may illuminate for a variety of reasons.
While this guide is helpful, please refer to your owner’s manual after reading through this list.
Subaru Forester Engine Fault
There are hundreds of reasons why the check engine warning fault light comes on, and only your dealer or mechanic is qualified to address this.
Common reasons include a loose fuel cap, excess vibration, a blocked cylinder, a bad fuel mix, excessive heat and half power.
This may also highlight an issue with your transmission.
Subaru Forester Check Engine Oil
This means your engine oil is running low or has been completely drained. Your engine may have an extensive oil leak and a mechanic will be required urgently.
At this stage, it’s not recommended that you drive your vehicle.
Subaru Forester Attention / Warning / Fault Detected
Either of these two lights will illuminate to get your attention to other dashboard warning lights and symbols.
These lights can also mean that the handbrake is engaged.
Subaru Forester Battery
This means your battery has low voltage and may need a replacing.
Should you choose to drive your vehicle with a faulty battery, you risk losing power to your battery at high speeds.
Many mechanics will prefer to visit your home to replace your car’s engine battery, rather than have you drive to them.
Subaru Forester Press Foot Brake
This symbol is your Subaru Forester telling you to press the foot brake.
This is required before starting the engine and moving the vehicle out of Park.
Subaru Forester Handbrake Engaged
Your handbrake is engaged.
This can be disengaged by hand, or your vehicle may have a handbrake that is disengaged with your foot.
Subaru Forester Airbag Fault
This means your driver’s side or passenger side airbag has a fault and may not deploy when required. However, it’s quite common for this light to illuminate due to a faulty sensor, rather than a faulty airbag.
Take your vehicle to your mechanic for inspection as soon as possible.
Subaru Forester High Radiator Coolant Temperature
This symbol represents excessive heat from your engine’s radiator. If ignored, you risk overheating your engine very quickly.
Common reasons are a low coolant level and a leak in the radiator.
Call or visit a mechanic immediately.
Subaru Forester Parking Sensors
This symbol represents the front or rear parking sensors. You will also hear an audible beep as you get closer to a wall, pole, tree or other object when reversing.
Subaru Forester Bulb Not Working
This means one of your driving lights has stopped working and requires either a bulb replacement or fuse replacement.
Subaru Forester Low Beam Lights On
This means your front standard driving lights are on.
These lights are used for 99.9% of driving.
Subaru Forester High Beam Lights On
This means your front high-beam driving lights are on.
These lights are used for 0.01% of driving and typically for country roads late at night. Fines can apply for use of high beams in dense residential areas. Do NOT use high team driving lights within 400 metres (1,000 feet) of an oncoming car.
Subaru Forester Automatic Low Beam Lights On
This means your front automatic standard driving lights are on.
These will illuminate by themselves on dusk, when entering tunnels and in other low light situations.
Subaru Forester Automatic High Beam Lights On
This means your front automatic high-beam driving lights are on.
Please be wary that these lights do not turn themselves on automatically around other cars.
Subaru Forester Automatic Lights Malfunction
Subaru Forester’s come with automatic lights, however, these can malfunction.
This is often an issue with the front low-light sensor. You may continue to drive and simply use your normal on/off headlight function until you visit a mechanic.
Subaru Forester Glow Plug Indicator Symbol
This is the Glow Plug Indicator symbol, which is found only in diesel-powered variants of Subaru Forester. Diesel engines require heat in the cylinders to operate, which is supplied initially by its glow plugs when the engine is freezing cold.
When illuminating green, this is operating perfectly but when yellow, a fault may exist.
Subaru Forester Vehicle Is In Park
This means your vehicle is in Park.
Subaru Forester Hood / Bonnet Is Open
While your front hood/bonnet may appear closed, it may show open on the sensor.
Subaru Forester Front Fog Lights Enabled
This means your Subaru Forester front fog lights are engaged. A similar symbol exists for the rear warning lights.
Note: In some areas, it is illegal to use fog lights when it isn’t foggy. Please check with your local authority.
Subaru Forester ABS System Fault / ABS System Off
Your vehicle’s ABS system has a fault and may not engage under heavy braking.
Please visit a mechanic as soon as possible.
Subaru Forester ECO Mode On
ECO mode in a Subaru Forester is an optimum driving mode.
Your throttle will not respond favorably to performance driving.
Instead, your fuel economy will be at its best, hence the term ‘Eco’.
Subaru Forester Truck / Boot Open
While your rear trunk/boot may appear closed, it may show open on the sensor.
Subaru Forester Front Radar Engaged
This means your front sensor is engaged.
This feature provides autonomous braking and adaptative cruise control.
Subaru Forester Lane Assistant On
This means your lane-keeping assistant is on.
This feature allows your vehicle to remain straight within its lane.
This may only engage above 40km/h or 25mp/h.
Subaru Forester ESP / ESC Engaged
This means your Subaru’s Electronic Stability Programme (or Electronic Stability Control in some countries) has been engaged.
This typically engages on wet, muddy or icy roads.
Subaru Forester Check Brake Fluid
This means your brake fluid has become low and may require topping up.
Subaru Forester Check Brake Pads
This means your brake pads have become low.
This may be difficult to check and may require visiting a mechanic as soon as possible.
Subaru Forester Steering Wheel Locked
This means your steering wheel is locked.
This is an anti-theft symbol that flashes when your vehicle is locked.
Subaru Forester Service Due Soon
This means your vehicle is due for servicing soon.
Your mechanic may have programmed an alert within your car’s computer to illuminate this symbol upon crossing a certain odometer reading.
Subaru Forester Heated Seats
This means your heated seats are on.
The number of vertical lines represents the level of heat.
Subaru Forester Cruise Control Activated
This means your cruise control has been activated and is ready to use.
However, your cruise control will not be on. It’s simply ready to switch on.
Cars often use 2-buttons to avoid accidentally turning on cruise control.
Subaru Forester Check Wheel
This means you have an issue with your wheel.
This isn’t the rubber tire but the wheel itself.
Issues include alignment, steering and balance.
Subaru Forester Heated Windscreen
This means your windscreen is being heated to melt frost or ice.
This may turn itself off automatically.
Subaru Forester Air Suspension Fault
If your Subaru Forester has air suspension, then this symbol represents a fault.
This could be a deflated rear suspension air bag, an air leak or a sensor issue.
Subaru Forester Tire Air Pressure Fault
This means your tire pressure is either too low, or the sensor has faulted.
This requires calling or visiting your dealership as soon as possible.
Subaru Forester Intermediate Windscreen Wipers On
This means your automatic windscreen wipers are on. No action is required.
Ultimately, your car is trying to tell you something. You should consult your owner’s manual and have your car inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.
Symbols Have Different Colors
Much like traffic lights, the color of your dashboard symbol light is just as important as what it means. The lights can also flash to draw your attention to a more severe and time-sensitive issue.
Green
When a Subaru dashboard warning light is green or blue, they are simply telling you that one of your car’s features is being used, or has been activated. No action is required at this time.
Yellow
When a light is yellow, your car is trying to tell you that a less common safety feature of the car is being used (such as stability control on wet roads), a mild fault has been detected or a repair may be required. If you’re unsure, you should seek the services of a mechanic or dealership as soon as possible.
Orange or Red
If the dashboard on your Subaru is orange or red, this can be a signal that your vehicle is experiencing a problem that needs urgent attention. You MUST call or visit your dealership or mechanic immediately.
Disclaimer
This dashboard symbols guide is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and does not replace seeking professional advice from a certified technician or expert mechanic. Please consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered herein. Under no circumstances will DashboardWarningsLights.com be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content on this website.
