Ford Fiesta STs are generally considered to be pretty bombproof when looked after and not hooned everwhere, all of the time. But even the most reliable Fez can go wrong every now and again, so here’s our rundown of Ford Fiesta warning lights and their meanings.
Brake System Warning Light
One of the more worrying Ford Fiesta warning lights, brakes are the most crucial safety feature on all cars, so immediate action is recommended to keep you and your Fiesta out of trouble.
If the brake light is red and stays on while driving or after you’ve released the handbrake, check that your brake fluid levels are within range.
If the ABS light is on as well, this points towards a serious braking system malfunction and the car needs to be stopped at the side of the road, and needs to be checked by a technician immediately.
ABS Warning Light
The ABS light will occasionally flash while the system is in use, during hard braking when the wheels are attempting to lock-up.
If the light is persistent and no other warning lights are illuminated, the car can still be safely driven, but be sure to leave plenty of space in order to avoid any emergency stops. This usually points toward an ABS sensor issue and should be checked by a technician as soon as possible.
Brake Pad Wear Warning Light
If this light illuminates and persists, this means your Fiesta’s brake sensors have detected that your brake pads have worn too thin and need to be replaced. This is a cheap, easy job and can be done at home, or at any garage in a matter of hours.
Check Engine Warning Light
This light will illuminate at ignition and should turn off shortly thereafter. If the light persists, this indicates that there is an engine issue which should be looked at immediately. If the light is accompanied by a marked change in engine sound, smell or performance, stop the car immediately and seek assistance.
Engine Coolant Warning Light
This light will illuminate when your Fiesta senses that it’s coolant levels are too low.
Top up your engine with coolant as soon as possible, and do not make any long journeys, and pull over immediately if the car begins to overheat.
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
This light, colored red, will tell you that the engine is overheating and needs to be stopped immediately.
This is generally caused by coolant levels not being adequate, a leak, or another issue within the engine that needs to be checked immediately.
Pull over, turn off and open the bonnet to let the engine cool while you seek assistance.
Engine Oil Warning Light
Engine oil is a crucial component in the longevity and performance of your engine, and huge damage can be done very quickly if engine oil levels drop too low.
This light will warn you that engine oil pressure has dropped, or the oil temperature has been detected as running too high.
Pull over onto a flat surface and check your oil levels as soon as possible. It is also recommended to check under the car to ensure there aren’t any leaks.
Battery System Warning Light
This light indicates that there is an issue in the electrical system in your Fiesta, and the battery is not being charged. Common issues are alternator faults and normal battery wear.
The car can still be driven but once the battery is fully drained your car will become unusable, so ensure you get the issue checked as soon as possible.
Airbag Warning Light
The airbag warning light indicates that there has been a fault in the airbag safety system or the additional safety systems that work alongside the airbags.
This light means that you may not be protected in the event of a crash and the airbags may not deploy, so ensure you get this issue checked by a technician as soon as possible.
Stability Control Warning Light
This light will flicker while the stability and traction control systems are in use, during adverse weather or particularly slippery conditions, but will remain illuminated if there is an issue in the system during normal driving.
If the light persists, this indicates an issue with the traction control system and should be looked into immediately, although the car can still be driven.
If the light is joined by an ‘OFF’ light, it simply means the system has been disabled.
Powertrain Warning Light
Generally not an issue for Fiestas but one to keep in mind nonetheless, the powertrain warning light indicates an issue with the transmission system in the car. However, this light is generally only seen in automatic vehicles and indicates an issue with transmission fluid temperature, pressure or levels and should be checked as soon as possible.
Tyre Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates that there has been an issue detected by the tyre pressure monitoring system in your car, generally because one or more of your tyres is either flat or has a puncture.
Pull into a petrol station as soon as possible to check your tyres and pump them up to an appropriate pressure.
Power Steering Warning Light
This light indicates that there has been a fault with the car’s power steering system.
You may feel that the steering immediately becomes unresponsive and heavy, and you should pull over immediately if this is the case.
This would indicate a hydraulic or mechanical issue in the system, and your power steering fluid should be topped up as soon as you are able to. Bear in mind however that this fluid should not be draining so a leak in your power steering system is likely, and should be checked by a professional.
Engine Air Filter Warning Light
This light indicates that there has been a reduced airflow coming from your air filter, usually because it has become clogged or perished throughout its life.
The car is still safe to drive, but a new replacement air filter should be installed as soon as possible.
Fuel Cap Warning Light
This light indicates that your fuel cap is not properly secured and needs to be checked immediately.
An improperly fitted fuel cap can lead to dirt, water and other contaminants entering your fuel system and wreaking havoc inside your engine, and should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid any damage.
Auto Start/Stop Warning Light
This light indicates a fault in the automatic start/stop system in your car.
Your Fiesta will be fine to continue to drive, but you should use a fault code checker to see what is causing the issue, or visit a technician as soon as possible.
With all of the above Ford Fiesta warning lights, get your car to a specialist as soon as you can to help you determine what’s gone wrong and get it fixed as soon as possible!
Additionally, for extra piece of mind why not invest in a fault code reader for more detailed information about exactly what’s gone wrong with your Fiesta. We recommend this Fault Code Reader from StreetWize, available on Amazon for only £19.99 with free next-day delivery if you have a Prime Subsciption.
