Hood latch about 05/01/05 the safety feature of hood latch, which prevents hood from opening inadvertently failed. Hood opened up while driving on flat land in dry weather. Was driving about 35-40. On a 4 lane road. Dealer is installing new hood latch. Hood latch is bent. The arm that holds hood up when open had to be removed. And further cosmetic damage has resulted due to the hood latch.

- Canton, CT, USA

All cars have safety latches on the front hoods. The safety latch did not work on my 2001 VW Jetta. The inside latch had been released and then inadvertently, the car was driven around the corner. There is no idiot light on dash to indicate hood was not fully locked. At 40 mph, the hood flew up and almost resulted in serious accident. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but significant damage was done to car and fenders. 1) why are there no idiot lights on dash to indicate hood is not closed when such lights exist for truck and this is far less dangerous? 2) why did safety latch on front not work---is this a defect in all vws?.

- Edison, NJ, USA