What is the reason for the Lexus AFS OFF light being on?

[SanZoey]

"When the Lexus AFS OFF light is on, it indicates that the adaptive front-lighting system (AFS) has been turned off. At this time, press the switch button located above the brake pedal to reactivate the intelligent headlight steering function. If the AFS indicator light remains steadily lit, it means the function is in the off state. If the indicator light is flashing, it indicates a malfunction in the function. The Lexus AFS function is enabled by default, and the switch button is located on the plastic cover above the brake pedal. When the AFS function malfunctions, you can try disconnecting the battery's negative terminal. First, ensure the vehicle's power is off, then open the engine hood, locate the battery's negative terminal, and use a wrench or other tool to disconnect it. Wait for about ten minutes before reconnecting it, which will reset the vehicle's control system."

[OJaxson]

My Lexus also had the AFS OFF light come on before, and there are several common causes. One is accidentally pressing the button with a steering wheel icon on the left side of the steering wheel, which manually turns off the system. Another possibility is a sensor issue—for example, after heavy rain, the radar probe might get covered in mud, or the system might temporarily shut itself off in places like underground garages with steep slopes. Last time my car scraped the curb, the light came on the next day, and the dealership found that the height sensor was misaligned. These adaptive headlights require coordination between the steering sensor and the body control module, and oxidation in the wiring connectors of older cars can also trigger false alerts. I’d recommend washing the car to clean the probes first, then turning the engine off and restarting. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need a diagnostic tool to check the trouble codes—guessing blindly might just waste time.

[Sadie]

I've studied quite a few cases regarding the AFS OFF light issue. The most easily overlooked cause is unstable battery voltage – for example, a three-year-old battery may cause warning lights to flicker during cold starts due to voltage fluctuations. Other common culprits include undecoded HID conversions or incorrect wiring during aftermarket dash cam installations. Last time when helping a friend diagnose his RX450h, we found the AFS control box connector in the right side of the trunk had come loose – reseating it fixed the problem. Lexus' system is particularly sensitive to wheel speed sensor data, and even significant tire pressure differences between the four wheels can falsely trigger warnings. If the ESP light appears simultaneously on the dashboard, pay extra attention and prioritize checking the steering angle sensor calibration.

[Bentley]

Every Lexus owner knows how annoying this warning light is. Simply put, your adaptive headlights got disabled—either by accidental button press or system auto-shutdown due to detected issues. In cases I've handled, 30% stem from faulty steering column angle sensors, especially in northern winters where snow-melting agents corrode connectors. Rear suspension height sensors also frequently malfunction when aging springs cause signal abnormalities. During maintenance, have your mechanic scan for trouble codes like C1246 or C1256—it's the quickest fix. Once, mine lit up after throttle body cleaning; turns out wiring got disturbed during reassembly.

[VanBrayden]

From an electronic system perspective, the AFS OFF light coming on isn't a major issue but is quite common. The core problem usually lies in communication faults between the steering angle sensor and the body control module. High-pressure water jets during car washes may cause connector water ingress when spraying the wheel arches. A known issue with older ES models is the headlight leveling motor sticking, triggering the system's automatic protection shutdown. During my repair work, I've noticed some owners aren't aware that steering angle calibration is needed after tire replacement - driving with misaligned steering for extended periods triggers warnings. Another scenario occurs when installing aftermarket suspensions, as the altered ride height may exceed the AFS adjustment range. I recommend performing a system reset with diagnostic equipment during each maintenance service.