Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - HOOD - LATCH | ||||||
| PE08047 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 07/25/2008 | 12/17/2008 | 2000-2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP HOOD LATCH | ||
| The agency opened this investigation based on 30 complaints alleging that the hoods on model year (my) 2000 and 2001 dodge ram pickup trucks flew up and blocked the driver's vision.these vehicles have a primary hood latch and a secondary (backup) hood latch.the secondary latch is designed to secure the hood if the primary hood latch is not properly closed or otherwise malfunctions.in these complaints, the secondary hood latch malfunctioned, apparently due to corrosion, and did not latch.dodge conducted recall 01v-040 in 1999 to address similar problems on model year 1994-1997 dodge ram pickup trucks.the information chrysler provided in response to odi's information request letter indicated that the my 2000 and 2001 vehicles were equipped with secondary hood latches with stainless steel return springs, as opposed to the earlier recalled trucks that had zinc coated carbon steel return springs.the recalled components were susceptible to corrosion-induced failure due to the type of material used, whereas the corrosion failures in the newer models appear to be due to lubrication loss over time (regular application of grease is advised per instructions in the owners' manual). odi's review of chrysler's warranty, complaint, and injury data for the 2000 and 2001 vehicles indicates that the rates for subject vehicles are low and are declining.a potential defect trend has not been identified.this investigation is closed. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | |||
| 10/01/2010 | 93000 | ||
| We were driving approximately 45 mph when the hood suddenly flew up and smashed into the windshield. we were able to maneuver the truck to the shoulder without there being an accident. the hood was bent and had to be replaced, hood mounts had to be straightened. a new hood latch was installed as the mechanic said this was the problem that it was stuck open, and in his opinion, defective. | |||
| 12/23/2009 | 87000 | 1 | |
| I was driving about 35mph, when the hood of my 2001 dodge ram 1500 popped open. it bent the corners of the hood, i was able to push the hood down, with the help of 2 other guys. if i would have been driving faster, i believe it would have smashed my windshield. it has only happened once, but i am scared that it's going to happen again. we haven't looked into fixing it, because we just don't have the money. we are hoping to at least get it looked at this spring, unless it happens again. *tr | |||
| 04/23/2009 | 157000 | 1 | |
| The hood latch of my 2001 dodge ram 1500 failed, releasing to hood while i was driving down the road at 40 mph. my windshield was broken and had to be replaced also the hood is beyond repair. *tr | |||
| 09/15/2008 | 160000 | 1 | |
| I was driving my 2001 dodge ram 1500 pick-up truck at approximately 30 miles per hour and the hood flew open, completely blocking my view. the hood and hood hinges were damaged and the windshield was cracked and required replacing. *tr | |||
| 03/04/2009 | 103000 | 1 | |
| I was traveling in the range of 30-45mph when out of no where my hood flew open and smashed against my windshield, causing me to be totally blinded and crash into a tall curb tearing apart some suspension parts and also the wipers were pinched and later began smoking. followed by the truck not going into reverse. the truck is a 2001 dodge ram 1500 4x4. *tr | |||
| 10/03/2008 | 93802 | 1 | |
| My 2001 dodge 1500 truck experienced hood latch failure while driving today, 10-3-08. i had the hood open earlier in the day and closed it the same way i've done for 7 years, which is with enough force to latch the hood. five minutes into my drive to pick up my daughter and driving appx. 30 mph, the hood unlatched and flip completely up onto the windshield. fortunately neither myself, my son or others were hurt when i had to stomp the breaks and get off the road. the hinges and hood are both bent. i came across the nhtsa action number : pe08047 while i was on the net attempting to find out how to fix the damage. please include me as part of the complaint file. thank you, glenn zimmerman *tr | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH | |||
| 09/09/2006 | 70000 | 2 | 10/15/2002 |
| 2001 dodge ram 1500 cracked, falling in dash heater core failure due to ground wire never being secured from factory rear doors will not open by using inside door handle electric lock switch failure passenger side. *tr hood hinges broke on both sides tailgate cable support drivers side replaced twice | |||
| 05/08/2001 | 1 | 05/01/2001 | |
| Left rear of quad cab not welded completely. quad cab door and drivers' side door do not close completely. you can hear them rattle when driving. this was reported to two separate dealers and the factory representative and chrysler corporation. they offered $500.00 for the defect. this is a safety defect as well as a value defect. we fear the drivers' side door may open, as well as the quad cab door, in an accident. | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - HOOD - LATCH | |||
| 02/27/2010 | 130261 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram. a representative from the fast track company stated that they serviced this vehicle, and 20 minutes after the customer left with the vehicle and was driving about 50mph, the hood flew up and cracked his windshield. the contact stated that the hood latch was stuck in the opening position. the failure mileage was 130,261. | |||
| 03/04/2009 | 100000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. while driving approximately 40 mph, the hood of the vehicle spontaneously opened, which significantly reduced the contact's visibility. he is in the process of taking the vehicle to a dealer to determine the cause of the failure. the manufacturer did not assist. the failure and current mileages were 100,000. | |||
| 12/07/2007 | 170000 | 1 | 06/09/2001 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. while driving approximately 60 mph, the hood of the vehicle unexpectedly flew open, blocking all visibility. the contact was able to safely maneuver to the side of the road. the dealer stated that his vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 01v040000 (latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch). the contact has not filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. the vin was unknown. the current and failure mileages were 170,000. | |||
| 06/08/2007 | 75000 | 1 | 03/01/2001 |
| Hood safety latch issue. popped latch from inside of truck. received phone call, did not open hood. forgot hood was popped, started driving. hood flew open back onto the windshield warping the hood and hinges.*ak | |||
| 09/29/2006 | 52000 | 1 | 03/01/2001 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 40 mph, the front hood opened on its own causing damage to the vehicle. the service dealer determined this occurred due to the hood's safety latch being rusted. the hood, hinges and locks all needed to be replaced. updated 10/18/2006 - *nm | |||
| 08/21/2005 | 120000 | 1 | 12/05/2004 |
| I checked the oil level on the vehicle and closed the hood. i then tried to lift the hood after it was closed to make sure that it was well closed. i could not. i then proceeded to drive on the street at 30-40 miles per hour and 5 minutes after checking the oil, the hood popped up, bent backwards, and smashed the front windshield. no police report was filed but it occurred at 10:30 am in front of the east greenbush, ny walmart, and an east greenbush police officer did stop to help me reattach the bent hood and secure it so i could drive home to arrange repairs. i have no idea why the hood popped up. it should have stayed closed. i wonder why even the hood safety latch appeared to have failed. the front hood had to be replaced as well as the front windshield, the safety latch, and the hood brackets ($1800). i kept the old parts after they were replaced. i noticed that the hood safety latch had been recalled on the dodge ram 1994-1999. the 2001 dodge ram has the same body. is the latch still defective? *nm | |||
| 06/29/2005 | 74000 | 1 | 08/01/2003 |
| Dt: the hood flew up while driving down the road at 30 mph. this was the first incident. upon inspection the was not working. took vehicle to a dealer, who said the secondary hood latch froze. repairs were scheduled at this time. contacted daimler/chrysler, who claimed vehicle it was not under warranty, and there was no recall. owner's manual suggested lubrication at oil changes, and consumer should conatct insurance company. consumer wished to add that there were other recalls on older dodge models for the same issue, but not on this. *ak | |||
| 06/05/2005 | 100500 | 1 | 06/12/2000 |
| Driving 40mph my hood released and stood straight up nearly touching the windshield. this bent the hood attachment brackets on both sides, and bent the edge of the hood at the bracket areas. i had to look under the hood to pull over on the shoulder. my dodge ram is a 2001 and was not included in the other recalls for this incedent which included model years 1994-1999. after looking at the hood latch assembly it is very corroded and failed due to this corrosion. after standing on my windshield and forcing the hood back down i it would not engage beyond the secondary latch. i slowly drove home and applied tons of wd40 which has temporarily loosed the latch assembly enough for it to work. however, the brackets and hood are still bent and i cannot open the hood further than a foot or so. i have secured the hood shut with strapping untill i can get this fixed. | |||