Should my Hyb. batteries be dead at 68,000mi?

The unthinkable happened to me. I got the red triangle, check engine, and the pink hybrid system warning light on my mid along with a loud fan sound from the rear seat. None of the warnings were blinking and the car seemed to run normal.

I first checked all the coolant levels, opened the inverter cooling reservoir and there appeared to be a little turbulence indicating to me that the pump was running.

The next morning, I started driving to the dealer thinking I could make it. I was watching my screen and the batteries seemed to be charging but was acting strange. Suddenly, no charging at all and the car started slowing down and seemed to rev up as if in passing gear and the battery charge indication slowly went to one bar.

I stopped before the batteries discharged completely and called the towing folks. The dealer serv. manager said that there were conflicting codes and it appeared that the Hyb. batteries were bad and was waiting advice from Toyota before going any further.

Isn't it very unusual for the hyb. batteries to go out at 68,000mi? Also, why wouldn't the screen show any kind of charge going to the batteries? On a regular car, even if the battery is bad, the alt will still charge; but I understand the Prius is a different animal all to gether. I also have and extended warranty if I should need it. Any one have any other idea what might be wrong? Has anyone had a similar situation to this?

 

Update: The service manager ordered a Hyb. battery and installed which he said was the problem. I also decided to get a new 12v battery installed even though he said that it wasn't needed. The Prius is a 05 which makes the battery over 4yrs old so I didn't want to take the chance of getting stranded again. I've also got second thoughts about getting another Prius come trade in time even though I love the car. I've been driving cars for many years and the Prius is the first car that has gotten me stranded. Thanks

 

2nd update: I apologize; I'll probably trade for another Prius in 2011. Really, I wouldn't take a gold monkey for my car.

Luckily, I have another car that I use as standby. The dealer kept the car a week mainly because they had to get the battery shipped, plus, one day the Prius tech. had to go to school.

While in the shop, I got a new 12v battery installed. With the new Hyb battery, I seem to be getting better mileage. Before, I was getting 44 to 45mpg. Now my screen indication is around 50mpg. I can get into the ev mode easily whereas before, it was a real effort. I'm just wondering if the old battery was maybe defective from the get-go or was never quite up to par, maybe a weak cell that prevented top performance. (no doubt, going bad at 68,000mi)

Now, it seems like a different car and I'm a happy camper. Thanks for all the replies.

 

I may not have the right terminology. EV mode to me is when I can drive under battery power only. Usually lightly accelerate from a stop or coasting (when the engine cuts off) and under 39mph. I haven't noticed how many charge bars I have when I do this but the new traction battery seems to retain a charge better therefore making it easier to go under battery power only. Usually, I can't go very far this way only about a mile. I think some others on the forum have gone further.
I haven't installed the EV switch mainly because of my wife. Bless her heart, she may leave it on accidentally, and u know the rest of the story.

Bottom line: I'm sure there has been several Prius's that came off the production with a defect in the traction battery (Hyb. battery) whether a weak cell or what ever, that would cause sub-par performance.

 

Driving for a while after the Hyb battery replacement, I have noticed an increase on the MFD only and haven't refueled enough yet to get consistent tank mileage but will post another link later after I have cycled thorough a few tanks.
I talked to the service rep and asked if they did anything besides just replacing the Hyb battery & he said that was all they did. The mpg increase may just be unusual but around 50mpg is the overall average of interstate travel about 20miles each way that I'm getting now. Before, it was between 43 and 46. As a matter of fact, we took a round trip of 600 miles the day before the battery went belly up and the last tank averaged only 38mpg. I thought something was unusual and passed it off as an uncomplete fuel top off the tank before the last one.

U know how it is when filling and different gas stations, its a little inconsistent. Looking back, I attributed the low mileage to the engine constantly having to recharge the battery. I may be all wrong, but it's looking that way. I'll get back later to post my findings. Thanks