How far can I drive after "Check hybrid battery" notice

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by MsTee, Jul 21, 2026.

  1. MsTee

    MsTee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2017
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    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    i-Tech
    I'd love to hear from anyone who's driven a car after getting a "check hybrid battery" notice pop up.

    A notice popped up out of the blue on my 2012 Prius C. It was the "Check Hybrid battery. Stop the car in a safe place immediately" notice (or something like that). The emergency auto people checked and the following came up:

    Fault 3 Hybrid control
    P0B47 Hybrid battery voltage sensor C circuit low

    From my research so far, this means anything from cleaning/replacing sensor wires/connections to replacing the ECU/voltage sensor on the hybrid battery.

    My question is - how far could I safely drive the car, if at all? My preferred service centre is 325 km away from where the car is now.
     
    #1 MsTee, Jul 21, 2026
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    If the notice comes up again, look extra carefully at the wording. I'm pretty sure there is a "check hybrid system" notice, not a "check hybrid battery" notice. Sometimes people misread that, and then take a too-narrow view of where the problem could be. (Or maybe I'm wrong, and the c could really have a "check hybrid battery" notice.)

    In your case, seeing the P0B47, it looks like you're right to be thinking the battery. And that kind of problem with the sensor wiring doesn't have to be an expensive fix.

    For gen 1 and gen 2, you could buy that "no. 2 frame wire" assembly as a separate part. That stopped in gen 3, but there's a vendor mentioned around here (acenbay?) that sells a gen 3 liftback version. I don't happen to know if they sell a c version.
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Jul 22, 2026 at 9:21 AM
    MsTee likes this.
  3. MsTee

    MsTee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2017
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    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    i-Tech
    Thanks @ChapmanF

    Update: The car's been with the dealer for the past week awaiting their attention. They did a diagnostic test today and said it's definitely the hybrid battery, not the sensor wiring or hybrid battery voltage sensor. After spending the last few days trawling for potential EVs or hybrids to buy I've decided to replace the battery and keep this car. Several reasons:
    1. I like this car
    2. Replacing the battery costs a lot, but it's still a lot less than a new or used EV with the range I'd need ($AUD3222.85 fitted less $500 rebate)
    3. I don't drive enough these days, not enough to keep an EV in good condition (retiree).
    4. I think some of its features are still considered premium in new cars today, so I'd have to pay a higher price for them.
    5. I don't particularly want a car with annoying safety features (lane assist, sudden braking etc).
    I realise there's some risk in keeping it. Eventually it will probably need other repairs such as brakes etc. Just the same, I'd need to fix it up to be able to sell it so I might as well keep it as long as I can.
     
    #3 MsTee, Jul 28, 2026 at 2:43 AM
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