EV Battery Warnings
These are the EV (Electric Vehicle), Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Battery Charge and Warning symbols. The first light indicates a malfunction in an electrified vehicle’s main battery, which must be serviced by your dealer or authorized service center as soon as possible. It is distinguished from the Charging System Warning symbol with the addition of the word Main under the image of a more typical battery, or by the addition of the exclamation point, and points to a system failure rather than a charging failure. Seen in yellow/amber/orange and as a household battery, its time to charge.
- Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, read on below.
- Otherwise, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!
Many, Many More Versions
This version essentially points to a total system failure, unless it is seen in yellow/amber. The battery image with the line running through it indicates that the hybrid battery will not take a charge and the entire propulsion system will be shut down. The vehicle will need a qualified service shop and require a tow. However, in yellow/amber, the manufacturer suggests to make see a qualified shop “if the problem persists!”
This version, shown in the vehicle’s information display, will be seen when the Mild Hybrid System is charging its battery. a Mild Hybrid System uses a 48-volt battery to assist the drive train, much lower capacity than the majority of hybrid systems. It appears as a double A battery with a lightning bolt inside.
These two will also to be seen in the vehicle’s information display. The first indicates the hybrid battery is charging. The other indicates that the battery is holding its charge. We surmise that this means that everything is functioning as expected.
This is a High Voltage System Fault Indicator symbol for a Plug-in hybrid. An exclamation point is shown in a drawing of what looks like a D battery, which is meant to invoke the system’s battery. It could also be described as a box or a rectangle. It is likely that only the vehicle dealer can correct a problem with this system.
We found this one in the owner’s manual for two hybrids, and only one made clear that this is a hybrid battery malfunction. It was also found in an EV and also in fact indicates a main battery or system malfunction. Also, there will likely be an additional message on the instrument panel. Look for it and please check with your dealer or qualified service shop! Do not continue driving!
Finally, this version is used as a Battery Charge Indicator. It is shown in conjunction with a gauge that shows the actual charge level. It is seen in gray scale and does not indicate any trouble with the system. Click here for more.
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
This is the Automatic Shift Lock (
The symbol of a shoe, boot or foot on or very near a pedal is a reminder that the brake must be engaged to start a push button or keyless start car. The image may appear on an instrument panel or on the console near the shifter, but with a start push button or keyless start vehicle, the indicator will appear on the instrument panel.
Don’t confuse these symbols with either of those to the right. 
These are (Electric Vehicle) 
These variations also leave out the word mode. The first indicates that the vehicle is being driven as an electric vehicle only, as above. But the second symbol adds what is intended to be a clock in the corner. It means that EV mode and the high voltage battery is being saved for a more useful and economical time. It does not and can not indicate a specific time. The last one, with the line through the E and an arrowed circle, indicates that high voltage battery does not have enough juice to operate the vehicle without the help of the gas engine.
These symbols come by way of Jeep and their new hybrid models, and are Hybrid Drive Mode Indicators. They are seen in white in the information screen. In Electric (EV) Mode, the car runs exclusively on the high-voltage battery until its charge is used up. In Hybrid Mode, the vehicle operates on whatever on all the internal combustion engine and battery power available. In e-Save mode, the battery is reserved for later use.
This is a Green Zone Indicator. It depends on navigation information to tell a hybrid model to extend the use of EV mode in urban areas to protect the local atmosphere. These areas may be parks, hospitals, schools, and the like. Green zone operation can be expanded by the vehicle depending on driver history.
Finally, these two are associated with Subaru Intelligent (SI) Drive system. As in other cases, the system is designed to maximize hybrid battery life. ‘I’ indicates that intelligent mode is selected, where battery life is automatically maximized. ‘S’ indicates that sport mode is chosen, providing increased performance and leaving battery life in the driver’s hands.
This is a Message Indicator 
This is the Collision Mitigation Brake System (
These symbols are Parking Brake Indicator 
If any of these symbols are flashing, it indicate that service is necessary. Also, the first image to the right with the wrench or spanner added is used with Electronic Parking Brakes and indicates that it needs to be serviced. The car can be driven, but be sure to have it serviced as soon as possible in order to maintain the parking brake’s availability.
The letter P is shown above for “Park”. It is inside the circle in brackets, which is always used to represent brakes. The symbol holding the whole word is also a park brake indicator, but may indicate an electric park brake fault. 
Note that the symbol to the right is associated, and may be serious. 
This is the Catalytic Converter Warning