Skip to Content

Toyota Camry: Different Light Issues

Like most modern vehicles, the several models of Toyota Camry that have come off the assembly line over the years have all had comprehensive displays above the steering wheel that communicate different things to the driver.

One common light issue in the Toyota Camry is a burnt-out bulb. Headlights, taillights, or brake lights can stop working when their bulbs burn out. The solution is simple: replace the burnt-out bulb with a new one. This is usually a straightforward task that can be done at home with basic tools.

Another reason for light issues in the Toyota Camry can be a malfunctioning alternator. The alternator charges the battery and powers the electrical system while the engine is running. If it’s failing, it might not provide enough power, leading to dim or flickering lights. Replacing or repairing the alternator can resolve these lighting issues.

Car interior lights

This list describes some common issues that often come up with the Toyota Camry and its indicator lights, the problems associated with these lights, and what to do to fix the problem yourself if possible.

What Does the ABS Light Mean on Toyota Camry?

This is the first of the lights on the list that does not indicate a function over which the driver has manual control. It is a Malfunction Indicator, which means it will only illuminate if there is a problem with the system to which it is connected.

ABS stands for Anti-Lock Braking System and is linked to the “brake-assist system” of the Camry. This system is automatically engaged by the onboard computer, along with traction control, when road conditions are slippery or if the tires lose traction for any other reason.

Note: The system takes over automatically, and in this case, the indicator may flash to indicate that it is functioning at the moment.

Toyota Camry ABS Light Stays on

If the light turns on after the engine is turned on or for any reason stays illuminated, this indicates a malfunction with the system and should be addressed by a certified Toyota mechanic.

How Do You Reset the ABS Light on a Toyota Camry?

Other than taking the vehicle to a certified Toyota mechanic, you can try a few things to reset it yourself:

  • Turning the engine off and back on
  • Disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it
  • Depress the brake pedal while the car is off, then start the car

These options normally reset the onboard computer and cause it to re-check the ABS. If there is no malfunction with ABS, the light should turn off. However, if the system has detected an issue that needs to be fixed, it will likely stay on.

Hazard Lights Won’t Turn Off Toyota Camry

Car emergency hazard light button

If your vehicle’s hazard lights have come on, either because you manually engaged them or for some other reason, and they won’t turn off, you may have to try a few more labor-intensive things to get them to shut off.

It could be a problem with a fuse in the fusebox or an electrical problem in the vehicle’s electrical system. You can diagnose the fuze problem yourself by locating the fusebox underneath the hood and checking the driver’s manual for the appropriate fuse.

Once you locate the fuse, you can replace it with a new one to see if that turns the lights off. If this does not work, then it is not a fuse issue and requires more diagnostics. Many owners have indicated that this issue is caused by the flasher relay, which will require a trained professional.

Security Light Blinking/Flashing Toyota Camry

This indicator light is different in vehicles with and without a Keyless or “Smart Key” System.

In both vehicles, however, the indicator light looks the same and either flashes or remains off and indicates that the vehicle security system is working.

  • In vehicles with Smart Key systems, the indicator light will begin to flash once the “ENGINE START/STOP” button has been pressed.
  • This indicates that the security system is active.
  • The light will stop flashing if the START/STOP knob has been placed in the “ACCESSORY” mode.

In vehicles without Smart Key systems, the light will begin to flash after the driver turns the engine off and removes the key from the ignition. The security indicator light will flash visibly, and if the vehicle’s security is compromised, the car’s security system will engage.

Toyota Camry Daytime Running Lights Not Working

Car daytime running lights

The daytime running lights are automatically engaged headlamps that are the standard headlights. These lights will come on in low-light conditions, or they will remain on regardless of when the engine is on.

If they are either not working at all or do not come on in low light conditions, this may indicate a burnt-out fuse or an electrical problem of some sort. If the fuse is burnt out, it should be easily identifiable in the fuse box.

Replacing the fuse is the most common fix for this problem, but it will not shut off the lights if they are remaining lit at all times. If they will not shut off, try disconnecting the vehicle’s battery and reconnecting the terminals.

It may also be a problem with the toggle switch itself, located in the cabin. Occasionally, this switch will malfunction, sending a continuous signal to the electrical relay box. You may want to replace this switch to see if the lights turn off.

Toyota Camry Interior Lights Not Working

Car interior lights

The cabin lights normally have two functions, one of which is controlled by the driver and the other that is automatic. All of the cabin lights should come on when any one of the car doors is opened or if the car is unlocked from a keyfob.

If the lights are not working at all and do not turn on manually or when the doors are opened, you should check the fuse box to ascertain if the fuse which services this function is not burnt out.

Toyota Camry Interior Lights Won’t Turn Off

These are automatic functions, but if the lights remain illuminated either after the car is turned off or while it is running, check to make sure you have not manually engaged the cabin light switch.

Toyota Camry Interior Light Switch

Under the dashboard, you should see the switch. If it is turned “ON,” this is what is keeping the lights on. However, if this switch is turned “OFF,” and the lights remain on, you may have an electrical issue to resolve.

The electrical relay box is yet again a major culprit for this type of issue and can be located by consulting the user manual or a certified Camry mechanic. Usually, this problem can be solved with minimal effort, however.

Tail Lights Won’t Turn Off Toyota Camry

White car tail lights

There are several reasons that may be the cause of this issue. Below is a list of the most common occurrences that result in tail lights not turning off:

  • Faulty or malfunctioning brake switch
  • Broken brake light stopper
  • Fused switch

Brake switches do not often require maintenance, but in older Camry’s, this small component is more likely to malfunction or fail. Consulting the user’s manual will help you identify this component and replace it if necessary.

A brake light stopper is a plastic or rubber relay stopper that interferes with an electrical signal from the system and turns the brake light off. If one of these stoppers is corroded, broken, or missing, the electrical signal will be continuously flowing, causing the brake light to be illuminated permanently.

A fused switch will be the most labor-intensive fix and usually requires a specialized touch. If the switch between the brake pedal and the electrical wiring for the brakes has been fused, you will need to replace it.

Toyota Camry Tail Lights Won’t Turn On

Similarly, if the tail lights will not illuminate at all, it is likely because of a blown fuse or a malfunctioning stopper. Fuses are easy to replace and can be identified using the user’s manual.

Toyota Camry Tail Light Indicator

If one or both of your tail lights are out, the Camry will indicate this to you by causing the indicator or blinker on the corresponding side of the vehicle to flash rapidly when activated. This rapid flashing indicates that the tail light is burnt out.

Toyota Camry Gear Shift Light Replacement

The light beneath the gear shifter that illuminates the gear options such as “drive” and “park” is a low-powered light that can fail just like any other light. If the bulb itself is burnt out, it is relatively easy to replace on most models of Camry.

However, the problem could be an electrical or fuze problem as well, and in such a case will require more maintenance and diagnostics.

In the case of a burnt-out bulb, you will need to remove the shifter housing, which can be accomplished using a flat-head screwdriver in most cases. Once the bulb is exposed, it is a simple matter of removing the old bulb and replacing it with a new one. Consult the user’s manual for bulb types.

Toyota Camry Door Lights

Each of the doors on a Toyota Camry has an internal light installed in the housing of the door itself that illuminates the space around the door when it is opened. Occasionally there are two lights, one red and one white.

These bulbs are often the same type of bulb used in the indicators or brake lights and can be purchased in sets for convenience. Replacing them is relatively straightforward. You must remove the housing around the bulb and extract the faulty bulb, replacing it with the new one.

If the Lights Stay On

Because these bulbs are on a circuit different from the interior or cabin lights, they should not be affected by problems occurring with that circuit. Also, the lights are engaged by a physical switch that interferes with the signal when the door is shut and is not part of other automatic light functions.

Toyota Camry Glove Box Light

Car glove box light

The glove box light is actually notoriously difficult to get to in some models and requires removing the housing for the dash in the passenger side of the vehicle. In some models, it is merely an exposed bulb and can be easily replaced.

In the event that the problem is not because of a burnt-out bulb or fuse, you will likely have to have the vehicle serviced and inspected for electrical problems. It is difficult to ascertain if the bulb will not shut off, as the bulb is obscured when the glove box is closed.

Toyota Camry Low Fuel Level Warning Light

This light is on the dash located near the fuel gauge itself and indicates that the level of fuel in the fuel tank has reached a pre-programmed level, selected by the manufacturer as a critical level.

Depending on the model of Camry, this indicator light may illuminate along with other warning lights and information that will display on the central display in the middle of the dashboard. Some of this information may be linked to how many miles the computer has calculated you can drive before the engine can no longer run.

This indicator light should communicate that you have a small number of miles to go before you have no more fuel left in the gas tank. Some of the sensors in older Camry models could miscalculate fuel levels if the vehicle was parked at an incline, which pushes more or less fuel toward or away from the sensor.

Toyota Camry Master Warning Light

Despite sounding quite ominous, the Master Warning Light can indicate a wide range of issues, only a small number of which indicate immediate attention.

  • In newer Camry models, this light will be accompanied by text on the main information display in the center of the dashboard, which will describe the issue it is meant to address.
  • In older models, however, you may notice that there are several lights that look similar to each other. For example, you may notice a red, orange, and yellow Master Warning Light, and each convey different information. Red is meant to indicate urgency that requires immediate attention.

In any of these cases, it is important to drive the vehicle with caution, or not at all, until you can identify the problem and understand its severity. The Warning Light may come on simply to indicate that standard maintenance is required soon. Call a Toyota representative for information.

Toyota Camry SRS Warning Light

This light can also indicate several malfunctions. SRS stands for Supplemental Restraint System and refers to the several onboard systems responsible for the secondary restraint of a passenger in the event of a sudden stop or collision.

The SRS Warning Light will come on if the computer detects a problem with one of the following systems:

  • The airbag system
  • The passenger detection system
  • The seatbelt arrest system

These are all integrated detection systems and are differentiated by the Warning Light, although the Main Display may give you more information.

Copyright protected article by Know My Auto and was first published on Aug 8, 2021. .

In most cases, you will be able to drive the vehicle cautiously to a Toyota service facility to have the problems diagnosed, but in some extreme cases, the vehicle will not be drivable.

Toyota Camry Seatbelt Reminder Light

Man buckling seat belt

This indicator is an active warning light, usually red, and combined with an audible warning buzzer that sounds in concert with the flashing of the light. This light is usually located on the right-hand side of the dashboard.

This indicator system will be activated if anyone in the vehicle whom the computer has detected is not wearing a seatbelt once the vehicle is placed in Drive or begins to move. The longer an individual goes without wearing a seatbelt, the more rapidly the buzzer will sound and the more rapidly the light will flash.

This will persist until either the vehicle is stopped or the seatbelt is engaged.

Toyota Camry Slip Indicator

This indicator light refers to the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) System, is usually orange, and is located in the center console.

The copyright owner of this article is Knowmyauto.com and was first published on Aug 8, 2021..

This light will flash intermittently in order to indicate that this system is functioning properly. This system will sometimes be engaged along with traction control and ABS in order to adjust the slip, traction, and braking of the vehicle automatically. This helps to provide better control of the vehicle in poor road conditions.

The light may also illuminate upon turning the vehicle on if the system is malfunctioning. This will require a certified technician to diagnose the problem.

Toyota Camry TRAC OFF Indicator

The TRAC OFF light is the same light that flashes when the traction control is functioning properly. This light will stay on when the vehicle’s Traction Control System (TCS) has either been manually turned off or stopped functioning for some other reason.

The driver can manually toggle the TCS by pressing the TCS button on the dashboard; this will illuminate the light.

Toyota Camry Tire Pressure Warning Light

Man checking tire pressure

The Tire Pressure Warning Light will light up on the dash if one or more of the vehicle’s tires is low on pressure or flat. It will also illuminate if the system or its connected sensors are malfunctioning. These malfunctions can happen for a number of reasons, some of which may require maintenance.

Tire pressure may be affected by the weather, ambient air pressure, or damage to the tires themselves. Assess the situation of the tires before proceeding to drive the vehicle.

Toyota Camry VSC OFF Indicator

Like the Traction Control System, the Vehicle Stability Control can be manually toggled on and off by the driver. This is done by pressing the toggle switch, usually located in the center console, on or off.

If the toggle switch is depressed, this will turn the system off and illuminate the VSC OFF indicator light on the dashboard. This indicator light is the same light that flashes when the system itself is activated and working properly.

Toyota Camry Emergency Brake Indicator

The Emergency Brake Indicator light will be illuminated when the emergency brake has been engaged. It is usually red and located near the right-hand side of the display. If the emergency brake has been engaged and the vehicle is placed into Drive, a buzzer will sound for additional warning that the brake is still engaged.

Some models of Camry automatically disengage the emergency brake when the engine is turned on, and the vehicle is taken out of the park.

Related Articles

Toyota Camry Fuel Gauge/Fuel Door/Fuel Pump Issues

Toyota Camry Won’t Start

Toyota Camry Brake System Issues

Toyota Camry Traction Control Problems

Toyota Camry Hood Latch Broken

KnowMyAuto is the sole owner of this article was published on Aug 8, 2021 and last updated on .