Error Messages and Warning Lights in Nissan and Infiniti Cars

Every Nissan car model or Infiniti premium vehicle can malfunction. Modern vehicles have hundreds of error messages and warning light combinations programmed into their "brains". But sometimes, it's really hard to understand what exactly is the reason for these messages and lights to pop up.

I worked to cover almost all common error messages in Nissan cars in this blog. In this article, I want to cover them all in short and clear messages with the links to my full investigations. You will be able to quickly research the problem and maybe even find a solution here, or you will also be able to read the full article and find way more possible solutions for your problem.

"Front Collision Warning Malfunction" message in Nissan

When your Nissan says "Front Collision Warning Malfunction", it can also display several kinds of warning lights like the crashing cars, for example.

The primary reason for this warning is the problem with the radar sensor. It is located behind the front grille and works for several smart functions in your vehicle such as adaptive cruise control, front collision warning, emergency braking, etc.

This radar may be covered by mud, snow, etc. Or it may be broken or disconnected. You may try cleaning the radar sensor area or you may need professional help if this doesn't help. Other than that, you may try disconnecting the battery to reset the error.

Also, this problem may trigger another message: "Forward Driving Aids Temporarily Disabled, Front Sensor Blocked". Very often, you will also see various warning lights accompanying this message.

Front collision warning malfunction message highlights:

• Common reasons:radar blocked, software issues, radar broken
• How to fix:clean the radar area, disconnect the battery for some time
• Possible consequences:smart functions won't work
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$550

"BCI Malfunction" message in Nissan

The "BCI Malfunction" message is really common for the Nissan Armada and also for the Infiniti QX60. This is not a really easy problem to solve and dealers often don't know what to do if you report this issue.

According to my knowledge, the message may be triggered by the problems with sonars. The radars in these cars are faulty and they can have issues with connections. If your car is still under warranty, you may insist on radar replacement if the dealer can't replicate the problem.

But sometimes, the software update can actually cure the problem. So, the BCI Malfunction may be displayed when the control module of this system fails to work properly. Sometimes, resetting the system by disconnecting the battery helps. But sometimes it doesn't.

BCI malfunction message highlights:

• Common reasons:sonar problem, software problem
• How to fix:disconnect the battery for some time, update the software
• Possible consequences:BCI won't work
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$200-$800

"Warning, Malfunction" message in Nissan

So, when you see "Warning Malfunction" in your Nissan car, the best strategy will be to see the pictogram that is displayed between these two words. The pictogram can be different, according to the problem in your vehicle.

There may be several warnings of this kind in your Nissan car, so look at all of them. You may want to take pictures of these warnings and then google them and get more information.

First of all, try disconnecting the battery for several minutes to reset the warnings. After that, you may need a professional inspection of your vehicle to find the actual reason.

Warning malfunction message highlights:

• Common reasons:electrical problem
• How to fix:look at the pictogram, disconnect the battery for some time
• Possible consequences:the function displayed in the pictogram won't work
• Priority level:Medium
• Can you drive?Usually, yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$500

"T/M System Malfunction" message in Nissan

Usually, the "T/M System Malfunction" message in your Nissan electric car or hybrid vehicle means that the 12V battery (the small one) is dying. The best solution is to charge it with a good charger and verify the problem is gone.

Alternatively, you can replace the flat battery with a new one if it's already 3-4 years old or more. In this case, the battery is anyway about to die.

Other than that, the "T/M System Malfunction" message may also mean that there are issues in the software or some control modules. In this case, it's better to head directly to the dealership and have the car tested properly.

T/M system malfunction message highlights:

• Common reasons:low 12V battery, software problems
• How to fix:charge or replace the small battery, inspect the car
• Possible consequences:dead battery won't let you drive your car
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$200-$450

"IBA OFF" message in Nissan

If you see an "IBA OFF" message in your Nissan or Infiniti vehicle, you may be sure that the Intelligent Brake Assist is not working properly. Most likely, the system was disabled because of an electronic failure like ABS sensor problem, ABS or IBA module issues, front radar problems, etc.

There are many units that take part in the operation of IBA, so you should check those systems. Of course, you may start by looking at the radar area and also disconnecting the battery for some time to reset the system. If this doesn't help you deal with the IBA light, then you will most likely need to go to the shop or dealership.

IBA off message highlights:

• Common reasons:ABS sensor issue, ABS or IBA module problems, software glitch, radar sensor problems
• How to fix:clean the radar area, read the codes, disconnect the battery for some time
• Possible consequences:nothing special, IBA won't work
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$50-$400

"LDW/BSW Malfunction" message in Nissan

LDW stands for Land Departure Warning while BSW stands for Blind Spot Warning. Those systems rely on a set of radars and a camera in your vehicle. When you see the "LDW/BSW Malfunction" message in your vehicle, this usually means that the system can't have access to the camera or one of the radar sensors.

But there is one more possibility which is pretty common for Nissan vehicles. It's the battery. If the battery is low, there is a high chance that the BSW or LDW units are malfunctioning, or better say glitching.

I would check the battery first, then try to read the codes with a good Nissan-compatible scanner, and after that, I would just take the car in for inspection because there are tons of things that may affect the work of these systems.

LDW/BSW malfunction message highlights:

• Common reasons:low battery voltage, radar sensor problems, camera problems, control units issues
• How to fix:clean the radar area, clean the camera read the codes, disconnect the battery for some time
• Possible consequences:smart functions won't work
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$500

"Service Engine Soon" message in Nissan

There is nothing much to tell you about the "Service Engine Soon" message in a Nissan or Infiniti vehicle because these messages mean that the oil change interval is reached and you need to change the oil in your engine as well as do all the other maintenance things as per the driver's manual.

In one of the articles here, I explained how you can reset the "Service Engine Soon" message in a Nissan vehicle if you are doing the oil changes on your own.

Service engine soon message highlights:

• Common reasons:oil change interval
• How to fix:change oil and reset the message
• Possible consequences:nothing will happen
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$50-$200

"Engine Malfunction, Power Reduced, Service Now" message in Nissan

Usually, this message may mean that there is a code in the ECU or another important control unit. This means that you will need a scanner (maybe even a cheap one) to read the code and get information about the issue.

Also, the problem may be connected with some temporary software glitch. It will most likely disappear after you disconnect the battery for some time. But if the message reappears after that, don't ignore it. This may mean that there is a serious glitch in the system.

While in most cases the problem is in one of the engine sensors, the "Engine Malfunction, Power Reduced" message may also mean that there are issues with the engine itself or one of its important components.

Engine malfunction, power reduced message highlights:

• Common reasons:engine problems, electrical issues
• How to fix:read the codes, disconnect the battery for some time
• Possible consequences:power will be limited, engine may be damaged
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Carefully
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$150-$550

White speedometer light in Nissan

There are two reasons why the white speedometer light may be illuminating in your vehicle.

First of all, this may mean that the cruise control system is active and ready for action. Now, you only need to press the "Set" button to set the speed and the car will maintain the speed. If you press the cruise control button, the white speedometer will be gone and you won't be able to activate your cruise control just by pressing the Set button.

The second option is the small pictogram that is placed near the dashboard lights brightness control. This is only present in some Nissan vehicles and you may control the brightness by turning the knob that is situated near this speedometer light.

White speedometer light highlights:

• Common reasons:cruise control active, dashboard brightness control
• How to fix:no need to fix
• Possible consequences:no consequences
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:No repair needed
• Repair price range:$0

Key light in Nissan

If the key light is illuminating in your Nissan or Infiniti, you may be sure that there is an issue with the immobilizer. In most cases, this means that the vehicle can't see the key fob. So, you may start dealing with this problem just by replacing the battery in the key fob.

If this doesn't help, the vehicle will need a professional inspection. Before you pay for something, try checking the 12V battery and also disconnecting it for some time. This may reset the codes and the car may come back to normal work just when you connect the battery terminals back.

Also, the immobilizer may be malfunctioning. In this case, you will need professional help.

Key warning light highlights:

• Common reasons:key fob battery dead, 12V battery low, immobilizer issues
• How to fix:change the key fob battery, check the 12V battery, have the car inspected
• Possible consequences:car may refuse to start
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Yes, if it starts
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$5-$350

Master warning light in Nissan

The triangle with the exclamation mark is called Master Warning Light. This light doesn't mean anything special. It just means that there are issues in your car that need to be considered. Mainly, it means that there are codes in the ECU or other control modules.

The only way to understand why the Master Warning Light is on is to see what other messages and lights the car throws and what codes are stored in the control units. You may do this with a good scanner, not just a cheap ELM scanner.

Only after replicating the problem, you can fix it and make the light disappear. But sometimes just resetting the codes with a scanner or disconnecting the battery for some time helps.

Master warning lights highlights:

• Common reasons:problem in one of the control modules
• How to fix:read the codes, disconnect the battery for some time
• Possible consequences:the problem may escalate
• Priority level:Medium
• Can you drive?Carefully
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$150-$500

Red car light flashing in Nissan

If this light flashes when the car is locked or it has been standing with the engine off for quite a long time, it's OK and there is no problem. The immobilizer has been activated to protect the car from unauthorized use.

But if you see the red car with the key inside flashing when you are driving or when you are trying to start the car, it means the same as the key light in other models. It means that the vehicle is having issues with recognizing the key or the immobilizer is having problems.

Red car light highlights:

• Common reasons:immobilizer is active, problems with immobilizer
• How to fix:start the car with your key, try another key, change the key fob battery
• Possible consequences:car may not start
• Priority level:Medium
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$250