Nissan Note e-POWER HE12 warning lights: what each one means
21 warning lights from Nissan's own owner's manual, grouped by how urgently the manufacturer says to act, with the printed page or original web section for each so you can check the original.
Japan HE12 Note e-POWER, November 2016 manual edition. Match the actual instrument cluster and fitted equipment. Not a petrol E12, later E13/SNE13 or proof of all later HE12 production. LED headlamps and assistance warnings depend on grade/options; no NISMO-specific equipment is inferred. These are warning meanings and manufacturer first actions, not diagnoses or parts-fitment claims.
A warning light is the car reporting a condition, not a diagnosis of a specific part. If braking, steering or engine behaviour changes, stop where it is safe. If you are unsure, follow the manual and contact a dealer. This page does not replace a professional inspection.
An engine electronic-control fault causes illumination or flashing while the e-POWER system is running.
What the manual says to do
For either illumination or flashing, Nissan directs you to stop promptly somewhere safe and contact a Nissan dealer. Do not substitute another manufacturer's drive-on procedure.
Can indicate an applied parking brake, insufficient brake fluid or a brake-system fault.
What the manual says to do
Release the parking brake. If the warning remains on, stop immediately somewhere safe and contact Nissan; do not continue driving.
If braking is weak, Nissan instructs pressing the brake pedal firmly to stop. With normal fluid level and the ABS warning also on, avoid high speed and sudden braking and obtain prompt Nissan inspection.
Engine coolant is abnormally hot with the power switch ON.
What the manual says to do
Stop promptly somewhere safe and follow this edition's overheating procedure. Do not continue with the warning on; Nissan warns of engine failure and fire.
Use the original overheating section before opening the bonnet or checking coolant. Do not open a hot cooling-system cap.
Persistent illumination or flashing indicates an airbag/pretensioner-system fault; failing to illuminate during the normal check is also abnormal.
What the manual says to do
Do not continue driving while leaving this unaddressed. Contact Nissan: airbags or pretensioners may not operate in a collision. Do not probe SRS wiring or infer a specific failed component.
Have it inspected promptly
The manufacturer says to have the car inspected by a dealer promptly.
An ABS fault if it stays on, or an abnormal lamp check if it fails to illuminate at power ON.
What the manual says to do
Avoid high-speed driving and sudden braking; obtain prompt Nissan inspection.
With this warning, ABS does not operate although ordinary braking remains available. Wheels can lock under sudden braking or on slippery roads. A concurrent brake warning needs its separate instructions.
Vehicle Dynamic Control warningHave it inspected promptly
Flashing indicates VDC intervention. Continuous illumination can indicate a VDC or hill-start-assist electronic-control fault.
What the manual says to do
VDC and hill-start assistance stop operating with the warning on. Use caution on slippery roads and arrange prompt Nissan inspection; do not confuse intervention flashing with a persistent fault.
Electric power-steering warningHave it inspected promptly
A power-steering fault while the e-POWER system runs.
What the manual says to do
Obtain prompt Nissan inspection. Steering assistance is unavailable with the warning on and steering effort increases.
The manual separately notes that repeated stationary steering can temporarily increase effort to protect the system from heat. That observation is not permission to ignore an illuminated EPS warning.
A fault in electronic shifting. Brief red then yellow illumination at power ON is the normal check.
What the manual says to do
Arrange prompt Nissan inspection. The display also instructs you to apply the parking brake when the red warning is on; follow that instruction before leaving the vehicle.
Electronic shift warning — yellowHave it inspected promptly
Flashing can warn that the vehicle is approaching a lane marker. Steady illumination can indicate an LDW fault.
What the manual says to do
For steady illumination, stop somewhere safe, switch the e-POWER system off and restart as Nissan directs. If it persists, have Nissan inspect it; normal driving is not affected according to this manual, but do not rely on the affected assistance.
Emergency braking / pedal-misapplication assistHave it inspected promptly
May illuminate with VDC OFF or a system fault. Operation causes flashing; slow flashing can reflect a dirty windscreen, strong light or a hot front camera.
What the manual says to do
If caused by VDC OFF, restoring VDC turns the warning off as described in the manual. A dirty camera viewing area calls for cleaning the windscreen; heat-related unavailability may clear as the cabin cools.
If the warning persists after an e-POWER restart, arrange Nissan inspection. Do not assume collision assistance is available or attempt sensor calibration from this reference.
Check and correct
Often caused by something you can check or correct yourself; see the conditions listed.
Intelligent Key warning — check colourCheck and correct
Yellow flashing: the key has been taken outside while ON/ACC. Steady yellow: an Intelligent Key system fault. Green flashing: the key battery is running low.
What the manual says to do
Keep the correct key inside the cabin. A steady yellow warning can prevent starting; contact Nissan promptly even if READY is already on.
Green flashing calls for replacing the key battery using the exact key's documented procedure. Do not confuse the key coin cell with the vehicle's 12V or traction battery.
Can reflect very low traction-battery charge, very low battery temperature, high motor/battery temperature, limited generation output or a vehicle fault.
What the manual says to do
Driving or generating motor output is limited, so pressing the accelerator may not produce the usual speed increase. The indicator alone does not prove battery failure; follow the manual and any accompanying warnings.
Related ownership guides
Follow the warning's first action above. These service references do not diagnose or clear a warning.
Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Note e-POWER Japan owner web manual, 1611 (November 2016), warning-light table. Open the original manual ↗ (Japanese). English wording on this page is a CarFactBook paraphrase of the manual, checked on 2026-10-27.
