2010 Prius Engine Check, followed by !, then loss of power

Help! I was driving my 2010 Prius on the Highway (less than 2 miles) and the engine check light came on.... shortly after the ! (triangle with exclamation light came on and then started flashing). I exited the highway and was going back home. On the way home, I noticed a decrease in acceleration and then a message 'Hybrid...'

I was able to coast into an apartment complex and then got a ride home.

After about a couple of hours, I went back to the Apartment Complex. I reviewed the manual and one of the options was to check the gas cap. I filled the tank up last weekend and haven't driven it since today.

Anyway, after doing this, I put my foot to the brake and pressed the Power button and was able to start the car and slowly drove it back. The check engine and exclamation light was on. After a couple of miles, same results, the exclamation light blinked and then loss of power. I was able to drive to a business parking lot.

I sat there thinking what could of caused this.... the only thing I remembered doing prior to leaving was putting a box in the 'trunk'.

So I opened and closed each door and then the power came on and this time, I was able to park the Prius... (The engine check and ! Exclamation lights were both on).

Any help in trouble shooting this would be of great value...
thanks -jr

 

Thanks, the only question is, should I drive it or have it towed! I'll call the dealership in the morning. Other things left out, car only has 238 miles on it. Had to jump the battery about three weeks ago. Took it in two weeks ago and everything checks out. They updated the codes for the braking recall and checked the 12V battery out.

 

Everyone, here is what the official problem with my 2010 Gen III Prius.

DTC - Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
P261C - Coolant Pump "B" Control Malfunction
POAOf - 208 - Engine Check (caused by P261C)


According to the document on DTC P261B or P261C - Coolant Pump Control Malfunction, there was a TSB which applies to vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown below:

Model Plant Production Change Effective VIN*
Prius Tsutsumi 1 JTDKN3DU#A0108813
Prius Tsutsumi 2 JTDKN3DU#A1140374
Prius Toyota Auto Body JTDKN3DU#A5106915

* Underlined number in VIN (11th digit) represents assembly plant line code.

The service dept stated that a TSB came out on 6/6/2010 on this for the 2010 Prius.

Accordingly, under warranty information, this is covered under the Toyota Powertrain Warranty and is in effect for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicles's in-service date.

I picked up my Prius on Thursday and was dismayed to find grease spots on the seats, passenger dash, etc... I waited an additional 15 minutes while they cleaned this off. Service in terms of keeping your car clean doesn't seem to be a high priority!

I did a search on Prius Engine Check and I believe this issue goes back to 2004. If this is the case, then why doesn't Toyota fix this problem once and for all instead of ignoring this? Secondly, if this seems to stem from these two plants, then do they have a quality control or parts issue? Can you imagine if this happened to a mother, grandmother out in a rural stretch of road in 90+ degree heat. Car shuts down, so much for A/C and you're out in the heat with no shade anywhere?

Yes, it was treated under warranty, but for this to happen with only 238 miles on it is starting to make me think seriously on Toyota's. Especially after I've owned over 6 during the last 20 years.

 

Everyone,
This past Monday, 7/26/10, 12:50 pm. while coming back from lunch, the same thing happened again as initially described (engine check light, triangle with ! and then hybrid system failure).

I called the tow truck and had it towed from where it stalled. i.e. no power, nothing...

While in the shop, I spoke to the GM and he told the CRM to have the regional/district Master mechanic look at it. Today, Thursday, 7/29/10 @ 10:59 am, I received a call from the service advisor and he said they were able to replicate the problem and will be replacing the dash and engine harness. The parts should be in sometime next week.

Can someone tell me a little bit about the dash and engine harness...
thanks!

 

Yes, they gave me a loaner .... funny, I asked for a 2009 Prius and it's been fine....

 

Good point, I'll ask the SA to see if I can do that or if they can do that for me... If so, I'll see about posting it later...

 

You're correct, it will be a brand new OEM wiring harness. From what the SA described, it's a pretty involved process.

I do have some concerns meaning will the car run the same as before? Will something else be missed that causes another failure down the road? The other option since it has less than 300 miles is to ask them to just give me another new Prius... If any of you were in this position, what would you all do?