2006 LCD screen flashes "PROBLEM" no explanation

I have a 2006 with 40K mi; but I've never seen this message. Hmmmm? Maybe it was just an "anomaly". I wouldn't worry about it unless it's accompanied by some other indication.

 

Do you have the original 12 volt battery? If so, change it!

 

Vertex is on the right track, a low 12v system can cause this. It's worth at least having the battery checked, though I wouldn't recommend just blindly replacing it.

Rarely, I have seen an error on the CAN bus cause this, and it self-recovers, so it's nothing to worry about.

If it is serious, the car will set a code and you will get a triangle of death.

 

When was the last time that you checked your engine oil level? If you haven't checked it for a while, I suggest you do that NOW.

 

The "Maintenance required" indicator is supposed to be reset after an oil change. "Problem" is not the same indicator. You may still have a problem.

 

Dealer's battery testers sometimes give false-positives on Prius batteries. But you can test it yourself with a voltmeter or with the procedure given below. It's easy, it's fast, it's more fun than getting stuck somewhere with a dead battery:

http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/73400-weird-stuff-happening-mpgs-dropping-test-battery.html

 

I became thankful for the above conversation this week. Oh boy, how the internet changes things. Here is my experience with this.

Took my Prius in for an oil change on Monday. Here I am SAHM in during business hours with lots of time to spare sitting there in my yoga pants waiting. The service advisor approaches me over an hour later showing me my engine air filter covered with Live Oak nuts and leaves telling me it needs to be replaced. I know how old it is and I know it does but to go through cleaning the filter at the windshield was too much. (yes it was clean when I got the car back) So they sell a cabin air filter and engine filter, that I’m capable of changing myself, with the oil change.


Then on Friday the error in this thread appears. I see on this and the other boards that it is oil related. I look at the oil and under the car. CRAP! They spent more time selling those air filters than properly screwing on that oil filter. Oil all over the bottom of the car and on my clean garage floor very little in the car. (pinch in the O-ring!)


Yea, lost a customer over the sale of $80 in filters. Never assume the woman knows little!

 

where did you go? I would call them and tell them their "tech" is incompetent and will cost them big $$ in blown up motor lawsuits.