Toyota BSM indicator
Toyota’s indicator that the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) is switched on. The blind spot warnings themselves light up in the outside mirrors.
How to read it
Toyota’s 2024 RAV4 manual says the “BSM” indicator in the instrument cluster illuminates when the BSM function is turned on. The Blind Spot Monitor uses radar sensors inside the rear bumper to help the driver check before changing lanes. When it detects a vehicle in a blind spot of the outside mirrors, or one approaching rapidly from behind into a blind spot, the indicator in the mirror on that side comes on; it flashes if the turn signal lever is moved towards that side.
Also searched as: Blind Spot Monitor light, BSM light, BSM mirror light, Toyota blind spot light.
Toyota lights vary by model and year. The owner’s manual for the vehicle says what each light means on it, and a Toyota dealer or a qualified mechanic can say what it means for a particular car.
When the mirror lights come on by themselves
To confirm that they work, the mirror indicators also come on when the engine switch is turned to ON with BSM enabled, and turn off after a few seconds if the system is working correctly. If they don’t come on, or don’t go off, the manual says there may be a malfunction in the system.
What the manual says to do
For mirror indicators that don’t come on or don’t go off, Toyota’s manual says: “have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.”
What NHTSA calls it
NHTSA calls this kind of system blind spot warning: it alerts drivers with an audio or visual warning when there are vehicles in adjacent lanes that the driver may not see when changing lanes. NHTSA notes that makers use different names for the same driver assistance technologies.
Look-alikes
Ford calls its system the blind spot information system. Toyota’s RCTA OFF indicator belongs to a function that uses the same rear radar sensors.
Read next
- Next in Toyota dashboard symbolsToyota RCTA OFF indicatorToyota’s indicator that Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) has been switched off. Flashing, it means a malfunction or a dirty sensor.
- Ford's light for its blind spot systemFord blind spot information system lampFord’s blind spot information system lamp in the instrument cluster: it comes on when the system is switched off or has a fault. The blind spot alerts themselves light up in the exterior mirrors.
More toyota dashboard symbols
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols drawn with letters and numbers or squares and rectangles.
Sources
- 2024 Toyota RAV4 Owner’s Manual, OM0R147U, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., 2-1. Instrument cluster, p. 82; 4-5. Using the driving support systems: BSM, pp. 275–277
- Driver Assistance Technologies, U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Collision Warning: Blind Spot Warning
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed October 9, 2026. How we research
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