Red light across gear dispaly

oh...**** i hope this isn't gonna be expensive !

last couple of 30+ mile runs the gear display on the dash has turned red on the background and not allowed me to use the triptronic on the lever or the padels on the steering wheel.

both times i the fault has gone away by its self or when i have stopped the engine and started it again.

just been through the manual and can't find anything related to this so has anyone had or ehard of this before ???????????