Hood (Bonnet) Open Warning Light

What it means

Shown as a car seen from the side with its front lid raised, usually red, this light means the hood is not fully latched. Not every car has it, and it does not normally come on at start-up when the hood is closed. If it appears while driving, stop safely and make sure the hood is latched, because it could fly open and block your view.

Related lights: Trunk (Boot) Open Warning LightDoor Open Warning LightMaster Warning Light

Symptoms4

• Light on with a chime when moving off.
• The edge of the hood vibrates while driving.
• Auto start-stop or the alarm system is disabled on some cars.
• A message asking you to close the hood.

Possible causes5

• Hood closed on the safety catch only, not fully latched.
• Dirty or dry hood latch that does not close properly.
• Faulty switch built into the hood latch, or its connector.
• Broken or corroded wire at the front of the car.
• Latch damaged after a minor accident (less common).

How to diagnose4

1. Stop safely, lift the hood slightly and drop it from a moderate height so it latches fully.
2. Make sure the hood does not lift when you pull its edge by hand.
3. Check the latch for dirt or rust, and check the switch connector if visible.
4. At the workshop: read the hood switch status with a scan tool and check the wiring.

How to fix5

1. Close the hood fully until it clicks.
2. Clean and lubricate the hood latch.
3. Repair the damaged connector or wire.
4. Replace the hood latch with its built-in switch if confirmed faulty.
5. After the repair, confirm the light is off and the hood is secure.

Repair cost

In Saudi riyals; the highlighted part is the expected range for this fault.

Often there is no cost if the hood was simply not closed; the cost starts with cleaning and lubrication and reaches the upper end for a new hood latch.

Prices are rough estimates for common cars at independent workshops and vary with the car and the source of the part.
Prices last updated: September 2026

Frequently asked questions