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.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 65 mph, the hood of the vehicle opened and smashed into the windshield. The contact and the passenger did not sustain any injuries and was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the details were unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the hood latch failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-35 mph, the hood flew open independently. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic and the failure was located at the secondary latch, which failed due to defective material. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 80,260. Updated 06/29/12 updated 07/09/12.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact was driving approximately 35 to 40 mph when suddenly, the hood released in an upward position towards the windshield without assistance. The vehicle was driven onto the emergency lane with extreme caution. The contact inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the hood latch mechanism was defective. The hood was secured with a piece of material in order for the contact to reach his destination. The contact will notify the manufacturer of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.
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.
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.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
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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.
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.
TL-caller owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 new england limited edition. Current mileage is 66,200. Failure mileage was 66,150. While driving down a hill at 30 mph the hood flew up and put a line across the bottom of windshield. The visibility was zero. He slammed on brakes and stopped vehicle. He got on top of the vehicle and had to force the hood back down. It would not stay closed on its own so he had to bungee it down. There was extensive hood damage he drove home about four blocks away. Called dealer next morning and was told there was no recall for that year and model the hood recall was only for 1994-1999. Ktf the consumer stated received a letter from daimler Chrysler stating that there was a recall for the 1994-1999 due to the fact that the hood latch had failed and was rusted in the open position that was why the recall was issued for the years previously stated. However, the consumer stated there is a 2 line blurb in the owners manual on page 312 that states when performing maintenance services please use multipurpose grease ngli grade 2ep. They don't believe in the letter that it was done during the oil change. The consumer stated will contact places where he had oil change. Updated 07/10/07
: 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 -
2001 Ram hood safety latch malfunctioned. The consumer contacted the manufacturer about this malfunction. While driving 30-40 mph the hood came open and smashed into the windshield. The consumer believes he should be reimbursed for this malfunction because a the latch of the 1994-1999 Dodge Ram had been recalled and he believes they have the same latch.
The contact stated while attempting to release the parking brake he touched the hood latch and it came up. The vehicle had a secondary latch that suppose to be unlatched on the outside, but it did not hold the hood. The dealership told the contact to bring the vehicle for service. There was a recall on the older models. The manufacturer has not been contacted.
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?
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.
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.
While accelerating on I-65 to cruising speed of 70, the hood on my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 flipped up and banged against the windshield, cracking the glass and causing loss of sight of the road ahead. I was able to get the truck off to the side by looking out the side window. In traffic on a 3-4 lane expressway, I would have had a major accident. In talking with the Dodge dealer, I was told there was no indicated defect in the latch, which obviously had failed, including the safety latch. I am wondering how many more of these incidents have occurred. I am very disappointed in the response I got from my dealer. My insurance company is covering the damage under my comprehensive policy. I will keep the old parts.
(1) 2001 Dodge Ram hood latch corrosion (2) hood latch released while driving in rush hour traffic on highway going 60 mph. Blinded by hood when it flew up. Hood completely damaged, windsheild cracked and cab of truck damaged (3) DaimlerChrysler claims no responsibity even though this part was recalled on prior years Ram. I have to make insurance claim and have truck repaired and new hood latch installed.
While driving 45 mph hood flew up and smashed the windshield. This caused the driver's vision to be distorted. After traveling on the highway for approx. 45 minutes, the consumer drove around a traffic circle. After exiting the circle, the hood flew up. Trying to get off the road, the consumer almost slammed into a parked vehicle all because the safety latch failed.
While driving 45 mph and without warning hood was released, resulting in minor damage to hood. Dealer has been notified; however, was not willing to investigate malfunction.
While driving 30 mph and without warning hood unlatched, resulting in a broken window, and crumpled the hood. Dealership will fix the problem because vehicle is still under warranty.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA