NHTSA Complaint #10124235 — 2001 DODGE RAM 1500

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.