Short answer
The bulb failure light means the car has detected that an exterior light — a headlight, brake light, turn signal or license plate light — is not working. It is safe to drive in daylight, but a dead brake light or headlight is both a hazard and a reason to be pulled over, so find and fix it within days.
- Also shown as:
- Lamp out warning · Light bulb failure indicator · Exterior lamp fault
- What it looks like:
- A light bulb with an exclamation mark or a cross inside it, usually amber.
Is it safe to keep driving?
Yes, but a dead brake light or headlight is a ticket in every state and a real hazard at night. Fix it within days.
What causes the bulb / exterior light failure light?
Most common first. Symbols and meanings vary by manufacturer; your owner's manual has the definitive meaning for your model.
- Burnt-out bulb. Halogen and filament bulbs simply wear out. A turn signal that blinks fast on one side is a classic sign of a dead bulb on that side.
- Corroded bulb socket. Water in the light housing corrodes the contacts, so a good bulb gets no power or flickers.
- Failed LED unit. LED lights rarely fail, but when they do the whole sealed unit is often replaced rather than a bulb.
- Wrong replacement bulb. A bulb of the wrong type or wattage, or an aftermarket LED, can confuse the monitoring circuit and set the warning.
What should you do right now?
- Walk around the car with the lights on and someone pressing the brake to find the dead one.
- Replace the bulb with the type listed in the owner's manual.
- If the new bulb does not work, check the socket and fuse.
What does the fix usually involve?
Most bulbs are a simple swap, though some headlights need a bumper or wheel liner removed. A corroded socket is cleaned or replaced, and a failed LED or sealed unit is replaced as an assembly.
How much does it cost to fix?
$5 – $300
A halogen bulb at the low end; a sealed LED assembly at the high end.
A typical range, not a quote. Actual cost depends on the car, the shop and the fault.
Common questions
Why does my turn signal blink fast?
On most cars, a fast blink means one of the bulbs on that side has failed. Check the front, rear and mirror signals on the side that blinks fast.
Can I put LED bulbs in place of halogen ones?
Some aftermarket LEDs draw so little current that the car thinks the bulb is out, and LEDs in headlights designed for halogen may not be legal for road use. Use the bulb type in the owner's manual.
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