This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
(1)prior to beginning a trip, my husband checked the fluids under the hood and then closed the hood. I drove for approximately 2 hours with no problems. (2)then while driving at approximately 68 mph, going downhill, the hood suddenly flew open and crashed into my windshield. Both the primary and secondary latches for the hood had failed. I was unable to see the road, except for a tiny amount of the white line that I was able to see below the hood that was now resting upon the windshield. I was able to slow the vehicle down as well as navigate, using the white line, and get the car safely off the road. I had three small girls in the back of the vehicle, who were all very frightened. With the help of some passing motorists I was able to force the hood back into place, though this was quite difficult since the hinges were now hyper-extended. I shoved the hood into place and confirmed (several times) that it seemed to be secure enough to continue. I was able to continue to my destination, though I was quite frazzled by the time I arrived. (3)the hood needed to be replaced, as well and the hinges on both sides. We straightened the secondary hood latch which would have prevented the problem. It is made of metal that is too soft and bendable for it's intended purpose. Per this database, our model of Jeep is known to have hood latches that fail. I am very upset that there has not been a recall put into effect yet. This was a very scary experience for me and the children in the car and could have easily ended in a terrible crash. Luckily everything worked out and no one was hurt, except for a minor complaint of a car seat hurting a leg (it protected my daughter from getting thrown in or from the car). Please consider how dangerous this can be when the vision of the driver is basically completely blocked by the hood covering the windshield. I believe that the primary and secondary hood latches should be recalled immediately.
Hood was recently opened for normal checks of engine. The hood did shut all the way. After driving about 5 miles at the speed of about 45 the hood came unlatched and flew up. The hood is unrepairable, hood and hinges must be replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Scotts Valley, CA, USA