The struts/shocks no longer hold the hood open/up. Unable to check engine/fluids without using some other means to hold the hood open/up. First time it happened I was almost struck by the unexpectedly closing hood.

- Saratoga Springs, NY, USA

I had the hood up in order to put in windshield washer fluid. Just when I stepped away the hood fell down. I tested it again and noticed that it would stay up only if it was up all the way. However, if it I touched it lightly or moved it down just a tiny amount, the hood then falls down luckily my head or arm was not under the hood when it fell down. I immediately took it to the dealer. I was advised that the oil in the 2 piston like shock absorbers which hold up the hood, looses viscosity and the pistons have to be replaced. The car has just under 60,000 miles and the hood is rarely opened. It was interesting that the dealer had the parts in stock. That tells me these pistons fail regularly. After the repair was completed, I also noticed that the replacement pistons for the hood were much stronger than the original ones.

- Manalapan, NJ, USA