Glad you were able to do your trip without a major problem. There are a lot of different causes for this error message. You can see some of the threads at the bottom of the page. Just click on the links to explore. The failure of the car to sense having gas available is fascinating -- wordptom has an amazing memory and gift to fitting things together. It may be right but, while it doesn't seem likely, the braking and the error message might also just be a coincidence.
Propulsion Power Reduced / Engine Not Available
Yesterday with approximately 80 total miles driven for the day (43 EV / 37 ICE) and 170 miles ICE range remaining, as I approached a red light at about 35 mph it changed abruptly. There was an oncoming car turning left, so instead of accelerating to beat the yellow light, I braked pretty hard to stop before the intersection. It wasn’t such a hard brake as to skid or anything, just harder than I normally brake. The yellow “Propulsion Power Reduced / Engine Not Available” alert came up immediately.
While waiting for the light to change, I put the car in park and turned power off then back on. No change, alert returned.
I had about 3 miles left to my destination, so I continued on after the light changed with noticeably reduced power. After 2 miles or so while ascending a very mild grade the car died completely. I put the flashers on and was able to coast backward off the road with no power steering to assist.
Several attempts of power off/on did not help. Finally called my son-in-law to come pick me up.
After the power had been off for 5 minutes or so, I tried power on again. The engine started, but still had the yellow “Propulsion Power Reduced / Engine Not Available” alert.
I called my son-in-law back to stop him from coming and was able to continue the last mile to my destination.
After being parked for half an hour or more I tried powering up again and everything seemed normal, nor more alerts of any kind. I switched to Mountain Mode while parked and charged the battery for about 5 minutes then powered off.
After 2 hours I tried another start. Everything seemed normal and I powered off.
After another 2 hours with everything looking normal, I started the 75 mile trip home and made it with no indication of any problem.
My only guess would be that the hard braking affected some liquid level sensor (fuel tank?) to make the computer think there was some reason to kill the engine.
I haven’t yet but will be calling my service department to schedule a checkup.
While waiting for the light to change, I put the car in park and turned power off then back on. No change, alert returned.
I had about 3 miles left to my destination, so I continued on after the light changed with noticeably reduced power. After 2 miles or so while ascending a very mild grade the car died completely. I put the flashers on and was able to coast backward off the road with no power steering to assist.
Several attempts of power off/on did not help. Finally called my son-in-law to come pick me up.
After the power had been off for 5 minutes or so, I tried power on again. The engine started, but still had the yellow “Propulsion Power Reduced / Engine Not Available” alert.
I called my son-in-law back to stop him from coming and was able to continue the last mile to my destination.
After being parked for half an hour or more I tried powering up again and everything seemed normal, nor more alerts of any kind. I switched to Mountain Mode while parked and charged the battery for about 5 minutes then powered off.
After 2 hours I tried another start. Everything seemed normal and I powered off.
After another 2 hours with everything looking normal, I started the 75 mile trip home and made it with no indication of any problem.
My only guess would be that the hard braking affected some liquid level sensor (fuel tank?) to make the computer think there was some reason to kill the engine.
I haven’t yet but will be calling my service department to schedule a checkup.
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