Toyota PCS warning light
Toyota's warning light for its Pre-Collision System (PCS): it comes on when the system has a malfunction or has become temporarily unavailable.
Easily confused with
- Ford pre-collision assist warning lampFord’s warning lamp for pre-collision assist, its automatic emergency braking system: it comes on when the system is disabled, unavailable or temporarily degraded.
- Hyundai Forward Safety warning lightHyundai’s warning light for Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA): it comes on when a malfunction is detected in the system.
How to read it
Toyota describes the PCS as a system designed to give alerts and help mitigate or avoid a collision when it detects that one with a vehicle ahead is likely. Its 2024 RAV4 manual says that when the PCS warning light comes on with a buzzer, it indicates a malfunction in the PCS; without a buzzer, the PCS has become temporarily unavailable and corrective action may be necessary.
Also searched as: PCS light, pre-collision system warning light, Toyota PCS 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.
What the manual says to do
With the buzzer, Toyota's 2024 RAV4 manual says to have the vehicle inspected by a Toyota dealer immediately. Without it, the manual says to follow the instructions shown on the multi-information display.
When the light comes on with VSC off
The same manual says that when the traction and stability control systems are turned off, the PCS is also disabled, except for the pre-collision warning, and the PCS warning light comes on. The Toyota VSC OFF indicator comes on at the same time.
What the US standard says
NHTSA’s automatic emergency braking standard, FMVSS 127, requires such a system to check itself continuously for malfunctions, including a loss of performance caused only by a blocked sensor, and to show the driver a telltale when it finds one or when it can no longer brake as the standard requires.
Read next
- Next in Toyota dashboard symbolsToyota VSC OFF indicatorToyota's indicator that Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and traction control have been turned off.
- In Acura dashboard symbolsAcura CMBS indicatorAcura’s Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) indicator comes on when CMBS has been switched off, when the system has shut itself off, or when there is a problem with it. Newer Acuras such as the 2025 MDX show these on the amber Safety Support indicator instead.
More toyota dashboard symbols
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols drawn with curves and waves.
Sources
- 2024 Toyota RAV4 Owner’s Manual, OM0R147U, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency: PCS warning light, p. 449; 4-5. Using the driving support systems
- 2017 Toyota RAV4 Quick Reference Guide, OM17V1QRG, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Instrument cluster; Toyota Safety Sense P
- Standard No. 127; Automatic emergency braking systems for light vehicles, 49 CFR 571.127 (FMVSS 127), U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations), S5.4.1
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed October 9, 2026. How we research
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