2007 with 113k miles...need guidance

Hi Folks:

I don't post here much, but mostly because I haven't had any issues with my 07 Prius which I bought new in CT in 2007. It has around 113k miles now. I'm in upstate NY where it was single digits on the weekend, and under 20 today. I turned my car on, everything looked fine, as I started to drive it, all the warning lights came on. By the time I got to a mechanic the VSC light and the light that has a full circle with ! inside it had gone off but those were illuminated for about 10 minutes of driving. After 2 restarts my remaining lights were the Check Engine, the Big red Triangle with the ! inside, and a red exclamation point in the upper left corner of the computer screen that shows the MPG and outside temp etc.

This mechanic ran the codes and came out and said "Yea you need a whole new hybrid battery, you're gonna have to take it to the dealer".

I feel like the mileage is awfully low to need this already. My friend has an 09 and and 145k miles hasn't had this prob. I know someone in Minnesota that went to 189k miles in her 07 and didn't have this issue.

So before I take it to the dealer, I need tips. Could this be anything else? The battery monitor on the screen still shows it going all the way up to full green.

I did have the misfortune of needing to drive over some super hard snow crust today. Is it possible that something is just jostled? I don't really have 3500+ or money for a new car right now, so any advice is so welcome. I already called Toyota and my warranty expired in 2017.

 

Yes it’s my only car and I have a full time job and an 8 year old to tote around places.

I’m not sure what the mechanic read them with but I’m definitely not planning on going with his opinion alone.

I’m getting around 38 mpg running the heat all the time and where I live has very steep hills. Battery meter turns to full green about 3/4 of my way down the main hill I drive everyday.

I do have an independent place I like but they can’t look at it til Monday. Where I live is full of ice chunks and potholes, about 6 months ago check engine light came on after a pothole and my regular guy said it was negligible, but at that time I didn’t get the triangle or the ! On the computer screen.

 

Thanks all, looks like I'll have to wait til Monday at least. *sigh*

 

Yes I can still drive it. Replaced the 12V a few years ago.

 

Thanks I'll have my regular guy check that when they run the codes tomorrow. -6F on wednesday.

 

I drove the car yesterday no prob. Red triangle and check engine lights still on along with the red car with ! Light. Got the battery meter back to full green and backed in into my garage. This morning it was below zero and I see this again with the VSC and the circle with !. I drove to work, backed into work spot. Restarted the car and those two lights were gone again.

I’m having the codes run this afternoon will post the results, but some of these warnings are just coming on because of cold.

 

I use B a lot on the hills. It saved my brakes big time. I was impressed to go the first 80k miles with no brakework needed. My car before that was a honda accord that needed brakes or rotors at least every 20k.

it's a 500-700 foot gain in any direction, but my daily commute is short, 4 miles down hill, 5-6 city lights and 2-3 miles uphill.The first 50k miles were mostly highway.

I bought the car new in 2007 when there was a nice tax credit and no sales tax in state of CT. Also got it on 0% financing. My plan was to hold out two more years pinching pennies, and get something a little bigger and keep the prius. I wasn't expecting the Hybrid battery to go already. I'm still waiting to hear back from my mechanic. I've also asked them to check underneath for rust damage to any major parts as this car has suffered it's whole life through salty northeast winters (but it does get regular baths) So pending diagnosis, I'm researching used Prii prices. Currently my best option locally is a 2015 with 71k miles on it for $14k. Fixing my '07 seems like a better way to go if it's structurally sound. *sigh*

 

My Tires (snow and all season) are probably worth more than this car as is, so... yea.
Mechanic just called back and said the codes coming up are PO880 and CI378 (not sure if I got these right). So yes hybrid battery problem. They said my 12V is fine. Still waiting on undercarriage report.