What is the FCW light on my Acura?

The FCW (Forward Collision Warning) light on your Acura dashboard is an indicator that alerts you to a potential collision hazard. This light is part of your vehicle's advanced safety features, designed to help you avoid or mitigate front-end collisions.

What is the FCW System?

The FCW system in your Acura uses sensors, typically a camera and/or radar, to monitor the road ahead. It constantly scans for potential collision threats, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles. If the system detects an imminent collision, it will first warn you with visual and audible alerts, giving you time to react and take evasive action.

When Does the FCW Light Illuminate?

The FCW light on your Acura's dashboard will illuminate when the system detects a potential collision hazard and activates the warning. This could happen in the following scenarios:

• When the system senses that your Acura is closing in on a vehicle or object in front of you at a rate that could lead to a collision.


• If the system detects a pedestrian or cyclist in your vehicle's path and determines a collision is likely.


• When the system is temporarily unavailable or experiencing a malfunction, such as a sensor blockage or calibration issue.

In these situations, the FCW light will illuminate, accompanied by an audible warning, to alert you to the potential danger and prompt you to take immediate action to avoid a collision.

Responding to the FCW Light

When the FCW light illuminates on your Acura's dashboard, it's important to take the following steps:

• Immediately check the road ahead and be prepared to brake or take evasive action if necessary.


• If the system is warning you of a potential collision, apply the brakes firmly and steer away from the hazard if possible.


• If the FCW light remains on without an apparent collision threat, it could indicate a system malfunction. In this case, you should have your Acura inspected by a qualified technician as soon as possible.

By understanding the purpose and function of the FCW system in your Acura, you can be better prepared to respond to the FCW light and take appropriate action to help keep yourself and others safe on the road.

Is it safe to drive with a FCW system failed?

It is not recommended to drive with a failed Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system, as you will be without a crucial safety feature that warns you of potential crashes and may disable other linked safety systems like Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). While your vehicle will still be drivable, you will have an increased risk of rear-end collisions, especially in city traffic or sudden stops. It is best to have the system diagnosed and repaired by a professional as soon as possible. 
This video explains how to fix the FCW and LDW warning lights in a Honda Odyssey: 58sNexologyYouTube · Sep 17, 2025
Risks of driving with a failed FCW system

• Loss of warning: You will not receive visual or audible alerts that a collision is imminent. 
• Disabling of AEB: The failure of the FCW system can also compromise other safety features that rely on it, such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). 
• Increased accident risk: The lack of the FCW warning will increase your chances of being involved in a rear-end accident. 

Common causes of FCW failure

• Dirty or blocked sensors: The front camera or radar sensors can become obstructed by dirt, bugs, or snow. 
• Sensor calibration issues: Problems with calibration can occur after a tire change or alignment. 
• Electrical or software glitches: Faulty wiring, a weak battery, or a software issue can cause a system failure. 
• Bad weather: Conditions like heavy rain, snow, or fog can temporarily disable the system. 

This video explains the causes of the FCW warning light: 56sNexologyYouTube · Aug 20, 2025
What to do

1. Check the sensors: Inspect the front of your vehicle, including the grill and the area behind your windshield, for any blockages or dirt. Clean the sensors according to your owner's manual. 
2. Try a reset: Some issues can be resolved by resetting the system. Check your vehicle's information display or consult your owner's manual for instructions. 
3. Consult a professional: If cleaning and resetting doesn't work, have the system diagnosed by a mechanic or dealership. They can check for more serious issues like module failure or wiring problems. 

How do you fix a failed FCW system?

How to Fix a Failed FCW System. If you get an FCW system failed message, you must bring your car to a certified shop that offers ADAS calibration and repair services. The mechanics will recalibrate the FCW system during and after the repair process.

How to fix forward Collision Warning light on?

To fix a forward collision warning light that is on, first check for obstructions like dirt or debris on the sensors, grille, and camera lens, then restart the vehicle. If the light remains on, try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes to perform a hard reset, or check your vehicle's settings to ensure the system is turned on and set to a lower sensitivity. If these steps don't work, the system may need recalibration by a professional, as there could be a sensor issue or a need for a software update.
 
This video demonstrates how to reset the forward collision warning light on some vehicles: 1mCar FixYouTube · Jul 2, 2025
Initial checks and resets

• Clean sensors: Clean the front radar sensor (often behind the grille or logo) and the camera on the windshield. Dirt, bugs, or ice can trigger the warning light. 
• Check the windshield: Ensure the windshield is clean and free of damage, stickers, or smudges that could interfere with the camera's view. 
• Restart the vehicle: Turn the car off completely, wait about 30 seconds, and then restart it. This can reset minor glitches in the system. 
• Disconnect the battery: As an alternative to the simple restart, disconnect the negative battery terminal for a few minutes to perform a hard reset. Reconnect it and restart the car. 

Adjust settings and check for other issues 
You can watch this video to learn how to adjust the forward collision warning settings on some vehicles: 55sipartout studioYouTube · Aug 5, 2025

• Check system settings: Go to your vehicle's dashboard settings to ensure the forward collision warning system is turned on. 
• Adjust sensitivity: If the warning is too frequent, you can often adjust the sensitivity in the system's settings. Try setting it to a lower sensitivity to see if that resolves the issue. 
• Inspect the battery: A weak battery can sometimes cause electronic systems to malfunction. Make sure your battery is fully charged and the connections are secure. 

When to seek professional help 
This video explains how to fix the forward collision warning light if it remains on after performing the initial reset steps: 1mDashboard warning lights YouTube · Dec 25, 2024

• Sensor recalibration: If the light comes on after a minor impact, a collision, or a windshield replacement, the sensors may need to be recalibrated by a professional. 
• Software update: Your vehicle may require a software update to fix a bug or glitch that is causing the warning light to stay on. 
• Consult a dealer or mechanic: If the problem persists, have a qualified technician diagnose the issue. They can use a diagnostic scanner to read any trouble codes and determine if there's a more serious problem, such as a damaged sensor or faulty module. 

Why is my FCW light on?

The Forward Collision Warning (FCW) light is on because the system has detected a fault, a temporary issue, or a problem with its sensors. Common causes include a blocked sensor from debris or bad weather, a misaligned or damaged sensor, or a low battery voltage. You should start by checking and cleaning the front sensors and windshield camera, and then look for any physical damage.
 
This video explains the causes of the FCW light and how to fix it: 1mDashboard warning lights YouTube · Sep 4, 2025
Common reasons for the FCW light to be on

• Blocked sensors: Debris, snow, ice, or heavy rain can block the forward-facing radar and camera sensors, causing the system to malfunction. 
• Sensor damage or misalignment: A minor impact or road debris can misalign the sensors. This is common after a collision or even a small bump. 
• Environmental interference: Extreme weather conditions like fog, heavy rain, or even direct sun glare can interfere with sensor readings. 
• Low battery voltage: A weak battery can cause various dashboard warning lights to come on, including the FCW light. 
• Software glitches: Outdated or buggy software can sometimes trigger false warnings. 

What you can do

1. Clean the sensors: Use a soft cloth to gently clean any dirt or debris from the sensors, which are often located on the front grille or behind the windshield near the rearview mirror. 
2. Check for obstructions: Make sure nothing is hanging from your rearview mirror, as some systems use a sensor in that location. 
3. Check for physical damage: Inspect the front bumper and windshield for any signs of damage. 
4. Check the battery: Have your battery tested. If it's old or weak, it could be the cause of the issue. 
5. Check the settings: Go into your vehicle's settings menu to make sure the FCW system is enabled and not set to "off". 
6. Drive the vehicle: After cleaning and checking, drive the car for a bit. Sometimes a simple reset is all that's needed. 

When to see a professional

• If the light remains on after these steps, there may be a more serious issue, like a faulty sensor or a calibration problem.
• A professional can diagnose the problem using a diagnostic scanner and perform necessary repairs or recalibrations. 

You can also watch this video to learn how to reset the FCW light: 1mDashboard warning lights YouTube · Feb 27, 2025