NHTSA Complaint #11046921 — 2013 TOYOTA CAMRY

CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE FOR 4+ YEARS SINCE NEW, AND REGISTERED ABOUT 90K MILES. DURING THE RECENT ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE GAS CHARGED HOOD LIFT SUPPORT FAILED WHILE THE HOOD IS UP, AND THE HOOD CAME CRASHING DOWN. WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED, IT STAYED UP, NO SIGNS OF PROBLEM. THE FAILURE HAPPENED WELL INTO OIL CHANGE, WHEN I WAS UNDER THE CAR, AND THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ENGINE BAY. SO I WAS LUCKY, EXTREMELY. NO BODILY DAMAGE NOR PROPERTY DAMAGE. I THEN ASSESSED THE SITUATION, DUE TO THE WAY THE STRUTS ARE PLACED, WHEN THE STRUTS FAILED, THE HOOD WOULD HAVE A FREE FALL FROM GREATER THAN 45-DEG ANGLE, WHICH WOULD GENERATE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE GIVEN THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. THIS CAN EASILY CAUSE BODILY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE IF THE PERSON WORKING THE CAR IS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE OPENED HOOD AND THE FRONT FRAME OF THE CAR. A FAIL-SAFE MEASURE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE CAR TO AVOID INJURY.