NHTSA Complaint #10253602 — 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

I LIFTED THE HOOD TO CHECK THE WASHER FLUID LEVEL. AS I TURNED TO PICK UP THE REFILL BOTTLE TO FILL THE CAR'S WASHER BOTTLE THE HOOD FELL ON ITS OWN. HAD MY HANDS OR HEAD STILL BEEN UNDER THE HOOD I WOULD HAVE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES. THE HOOD STRUTS NOW FAIL EVERY TIME AND I HAVE TO USE A STICK TO HOLD THE HOOD UP. I WENT TO ACTION MOTORS (JEEP DEALERSHIP IN DANBURY, CT) ON 1/2/09 AND DISCUSSED WITH SERVICE MANAGERS. THEY SAID FAILURE OF THE HOOD STRUTS IS EXPECTED AND IS COMMON - ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. IN FACT, THEY TOLD ME THEIR SERVICE POLICY FOR ALL MECHANICS IS TO INSTALL A VICE GRIP ON ALL GRAND CHEROKEES HOOD STRUTS BEFORE ANY WORK BEGINS -- EVEN IF THE OWNER HAS NOT REPORTED THIS ISSUE. FAILURES OCCURRED TOO OFTEN TO ALLOW THEIR PEOPLE TO WORK UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT THE VICE GRIP IN PLACE. WHILE THEY MAY HAVE ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS HAZARDOUS ISSUE, MOST CAR OWNERS DO NOT. I ASKED IF JEEP HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD "NO." MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. *TR