2006 Prius suddenly developed really bad problems today, VSC, check engine, etc.

The driveability symptoms appear to indicate a failed traction battery. Does the MFD show a warning icon in the upper left corner?

If the traction battery is the issue, it should be covered under the 8 year/100K mile warranty.

 

I'll be amazed if Toyota does not foot the warranty repair.


Or, Move to a state with an enlightened car warranty policy.

 

Since when does the location (state) have any bearing on a companies warranty policy ??

 

Read your warranty booklet, or Google "hybrid car warranty in CARB states."

 

1. Contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center for help after you've consulted with your local dealer. You may get some financial assistance on the repair.
2. Buy a used or remanufactured battery and have it installed.
3. Pay $3K for a new battery installed by your dealer.

Yes - well, the Pathfinder uses mature technology and does not enjoy 50 mpg fuel economy, probably more like low 20s. The Prius level of fuel economy does not come for free. The electronics complexity of the drivetrain is quite high. Although Prius reliability is also quite high, this does not help you if your particular vehicle happens to have a costly problem...

Considering the Nissan Pathfinder customer base, there must be some who have suffered a costly engine or transmission problem. So if you happened to be one of those few, you might feel less happy about the Pathfinder ownership experience. Some stories can be found here for example:
2006 Nissan Pathfinder Consumer Reviews

Regarding the pump noise that you noticed, that is from the engine coolant heat recovery pump running upon vehicle startup and shutdown. That noise can be safely ignored if you do not see the check engine light appear, after the traction battery issue has been resolved.

 

Have the service manager assist you in calling Toyota hq for a goodwill warranty on your battery. With your mileage, I would think Toyota would cover the cost of the battery, you just have to pay the dealer for installation. I've seen Toyota step up and cover the cost many times.

SM-N900P ?

 

Due to historically bad smog issues especially in southern California (Los Angeles/Orange County regions), California has the freedom to establish auto emissions requirements that are more stringent than the US Federal standards. Other states may choose to follow California or may retain the Federal standards, but do not have the freedom to establish further standards.
United States emission standards - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

With regard to hybrid vehicles, California requires more substantial emissions and hybrid system warranties to achieve certifications, for example 2G AT-PZEV certification requires a 10 year / 150K mile warranty on the traction battery. That certification allowed California Prius 2G owners with the appropriate carpool stickers to drive solo in the California highway carpool lanes for several years, up until July 2011. So you can see this certification offered substantial tangible value to those owners.
Partial zero-emissions vehicle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eligible Vehicles - Single Occupant Carpool Lane Use Stickers

 

I just read this review on the Nissan Pathfinder, from the link that Patrick posted:
Dangerous Car
By driver1962 on 06/05/12 14:46 PM (PDT)
Vehicle

2006 Nissan Pathfinder S 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review


I bought a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder with 50,000 miles on it. In about 2 years the car started shaking and vibrating on the highway. I started researching and found out this is a serious problem with Nissan Pathfinders 2005-2011. The Radiator fluid mixes with the transmission fluid and causes damage and puts i you in danger in the middle of the road. The estimate today from Nissan dealer, $10, 088 and I owe $10, 000 on the car! Do your homework. The frustrating entries about this car are all over the internet, including class action lawsuits!

After reading that, the OP should be kissing his wallet. Then again, we have NO idea yet what exactly is wrong with the OP's Prius. But it definitely doesnt sound good.
I want to hope on the bright side of things and say its just the throttle body that had never been cleaned in 69,000 miles and the butterfly was stuck in a position. That would be cheaper than the traction battery to fix and Im keeping my fingers crossed for the OP.
IF the traction battery went bad on a Prius with 69,000 miles, I wouldnt bat an eye on getting a new Toyota battery installed. Like other people said, Toyota may just foot most/all of the bill, being the car is just 1 month out of warranty. That would be the bees knees.

 

Yes, for the sake of your savings account, I would start hoping a LOT. It would be very rare for the traction battery to fail at that low mileage but I suppose anythings possible.

Im going to stick with my failed throttle body diagnosis, just for the sake of hoping for brighter things. When was the last time the oil was changed and who changed it? Have you verified the oil has not been overfilled?

 

Be sure to get the codes and then report back here.
They will help point the conversation in the right direction.

Does this car sit unused alot? 69,000 miles is pretty low.
And just before this incident, was the car sitting unused for a period of longer than a week or two?

 

So how long have you had it?

 

Ah ha. Quite the contrary - cold climates are actually tolerated better by the traction battery; its the tropical climates where we see the traction batteries failing at higher rates. Batteries do not like being hot, it shortens their life.

 

True, but this car's problem at 8 years and < 100k miles is exceptional even for a hot and humid climate.

 

I agree. I almost wonder if its not the traction battery after all....