Help - codes P0A7F & P3000

Facts : 2007 Prius with approx 116,000 miles. Last week, dash lit up with Red Triangle, Check Engine light, Yellow Brake Light, VSC light and Multifunctional display - red car with exclamation point.

Drove home about 5 miles scared. Next day dropped off at Toyota dealership where I have had all of my service done over these past 11 years. Received a call that hybrid battery is failing. Told me cost to replace battery was $4000. Not sure I want to put that kind of money into an 11 year car.

It's been at dealership for a week - trying to decide what to do. I called for more information on the codes and was told P0A7F and P3000. I asked about the Toyota Goodwill Warranty and they told me I could try on my own but they didn't think I would get anything. I pleaded my case with them and the manager called me back saying they would waive the core deposit and charge me $2800 with a 3 year warranty.

The car has been maintained and was in good working condition before this happened. I was planning on handing this car down to my daughter as a 16 year old new driver later this year. Is it worth putting the money into this car? How many miles or years can I expect to get after this?

Is this a fair price for replacement in NJ? Has anyone had any recent success getting anything from Toyota Corporate? I figured it was worth my time to make a phone call.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I have loved this car and wouldn't mind keeping it as an extra car and future car for my new driver, just want to make sure it would be safe for her.

Jax

 

It’s interesting that I was never initially told anything about the core deposit or whether I would be reimbursed back for it. Seems shady to me. Unfortunately I really don’t know any good mechanics that I would trust around here. If the dealer installs it I would get a three year warranty which is more reassuring to me than a 1 year warranty.

The car is in very good shape - no rust at all (garage kept) and all scheduled maintenance has been done on it. I was planning on giving the car to my daughter the end of this year for her first car.

I did give Toyota a call and no luck getting any goodwill assistance. They offered to call the dealership to see if I could get a better deal on the labor part of the bill but I am not going to hold my breath on that. I should hear back within the next two days on that.

If I put the money out now, do you think I could get another 4-5 years out of the car? I doubt my daughter will drive it more than 8,000 - 10,000 miles per year. Otherwise I will have to look into buying her a used car that I am taking a chance with. With this one, it has been well maintained and loved.

One more question - I’ve been reading about these failing actuators which also appear to be very expensive repairs. Is this a common failure in a Prius with over 100,000 miles? Are there any warning signs I should look for? I would hate to put out $3000 only to have to put out another $2500 6 months from now on an 11 year car. Also due to it affecting the breaks, that scares me with my young daughter taking over the car. If anyone can provide guidance here I would really appreciate it. I’m really trying to make an informed decision but want to make sure this car will be safe for her drive over the next 4-5 years.

Thank you in advance!

 

Does the dealership perform that? How much? The week that it happened, I noticed that my car was running a bit jerky especially upon driving it after it sat overnight. Did you have similar issues?

 

Phildo, Did you get all the same warning lights: Red triangle, check engine light, VSC, yellow brake warning light?

 

SFO - thank you for the information.

dolj - I am waiting for another call back from the dealership. Thank you for the information about the cost of parts and the estimated hours to repair. I will use that to try to negotiate a better price, but I doubt they will budge much.

I am leaning towards replacing the battery. If I do so, should I expect to get at least another 4-5 good years out of the car? I am concerned about other very expensive repairs down the road. Is there anything that I should ask them to check before putting out the money for this repair?

For at least the next couple of years, the car will be driven by my daughter, locally around town and will be used as a back up car. I love this car and it has been very reliable over the past 11 years, but I am concerned about the future safety and reliability I should expect going forward.

Thank you all for your help.