Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Dashboard Warning Lights

Prado warning lights

Launched in mid-2024 in South Africa, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, also known as the J250 Series, marked a significant evolution in Toyota’s mid-size SUV lineup. It combines rugged off-road capability with modern enhancements, making it a compelling choice for urban and adventurous driving.

Related: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8GD VX-R (2025) Review

Depending on the variant, it offers seating for five or seven passengers. Standard features include a 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims add luxury touches such as leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, a head-up display, and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. With so much new tech packed into the Prado, you may become worried should you spot a warning light on the dashboard. We can help you decode the good from the bad and know what the most common ones indicate.

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Yellow triangle with an exclamation point

This is the main warning light that lets you know that an alert error has been logged and will be illuminated until you acknowledge that you have seen it. It logs every alert and stores them in the vehicle's ECU.

Petrol pump

This alert lets you know that you are running low on fuel or the vehicle's fuel delivery system is malfunctioning.

Crossed-out person

This alert lets you know the driver or passengers have not buckled their seatbelts. It may come as a single indicator, or the vehicle may have a layout that shows which seatbelt is unbuckled.

Floating key

This floating key indicates a thermometer and alerts you if the vehicle's coolant level is too hot. Some cars will have colour-changing versions indicating if the coolant is below freezing. This often warns you that the car is overheating or the cooling system is malfunctioning.

Wheel-spinning car

This alert will go off if the traction control system is deactivated or actively functioning. It prevents the car from losing traction or allows the driver to break traction actively.

ABS circle

This alert will go off if the anti-lock braking system malfunctions or flashes rapidly if it actively prevents the brakes from locking up under heavy braking.

Circle with an exclamation point or P

This alert will illuminate if the handbrake is activated or if there is a problem with the brakes. If you release the handbrake, electrical or manual, this alert should disappear. If it does not, there is a problem with the braking system, and you should not drive the car at all.

Battery

This warning light will come on if there is a problem with the car's battery or if there is a problem with the car's charging system.

Engine

This warning light will illuminate if there is a problem with the car's sensor array that controls the engine (ECU). If it stays illuminated, the sensor malfunctions, and the engine will not run properly.

Oil Can

Sadly, it is too late if this warning light comes on and stays on. It means the engine's oil level is below operating levels, and you are running low on oil. You risk severe engine damage if you continue operating without checking and refilling oil.

U-shape with an exclamation point

This warning light points toward the TPMS, or Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. This alert will come if one or more of your car's tyres run below the operating pressure. It could indicate a puncture or an underinflated wheel. 

4WD

This warning light indicates that the low-range or 4x4 system is active, enabling the vehicle to tackle harsh terrain.

Wheels with lines joining them

This warning light indicates that the rear wheels and diff have been locked so the vehicle can better negotiate the terrain.

Wheels with lines joining them, with a dot at the centre

This warning light indicates that the entire 4x4 system is locked up and will significantly improve the vehicle's off-road prowess  (for extreme use cases)