battery/inverter problem?

Well, your own story provides sufficient evidence that your car might "quit anytime", since you say that at times the car shows "almost no acceleration" and the battery SOC is close to or at no bars. If you do a search you'll find a few stories where Prius owners were left on the side of the road.

When the traction battery on my 2001 died, the car was driveable but barely so, enough for me to drive slowly on surface streets to my local dealer.

When the engine and hybrid vehicle ECUs on my 2004 became flaky, the car would slowly accelerate and it was scary to drive the car 30 miles to the dealer over local freeways where the speed limit was 75 mph and I could barely proceed at 40-50. In retrospect it probably would have been better for me to have had the car towed.

I wouldn't recommend embarking upon a long road trip, given your car's current condition. Given your description of the car's behavior, no one in good conscience could suggest that you continue to drive it, since it might have a flaky moment at a time when you are in a dangerous spot and need it to perform.

Were any DTC logged by your car? If so, please post them.

 

Thanks for the update.

What was done for $400? Were any parts replaced; if so please provide the part number and description.

A very good idea to log some miles on the car, before you embark on your road trip. Probably would be a good idea to bring along your cellphone, water and other items in the event of an emergency. Good luck.

 

So, what happened?

The correct choice here was to either rent something for the trip, or not go.

 

Well, I have no idea but how can the shift be partially engaged into drive?

 

I was thinking exactly the same thing Charles. The shift to "drive" is not a physical thing in the prius, it's really just an ECU "state".

Their explaination sounds very much like "hey we're clueless about what was wrong, customer's cluless too, so let's just make up some BS story to justify the $400.00".

 

If the Prius fails near Tucson, Precision Toyota would be a good place to stop at.

 

My 2007 Prius decelerated and all the warning lights came on 2 weeks ago they told me it was the inverter pump and replaced it. Monday it did the same thing again and this time they told me it gave another error code and think it might be oil over flow into the valves. I told them to wait and let's see what error code it gave if it happens again.

 

If you post the codes there are knowledgeable members who can help deciphering. Good luck!

 

I have a 2010 Prius that I bought in April. We went on a 7 day cruise the first of this month. I made sure the a/c was off, nothing plugged into the chargers, keys with me...all the precautions. I come back to a deader than a hammer battery. On a Sunday no less. Trying to call some one to give us a jump. Was able to get the car started by reading the manuel and the car storage people jumping the battery for us. I went to the dealer and they said that 5 - 7 days was the most I could let the car sit before it would die 100%. If I had known that I could have been better prepared. It was a shock to say the least when your 500 miles away from home to find this out.

 

I'm surprised to hear about this as I thought that 3G Prius was less susceptible to that particular problem. What was the outcome; did you get a new 12V battery under warranty?