NHTSA Complaint #709846 — 1994 FORD EXPLORER

THE HOOD LATCH ON THIS VEHICLE BECAME RELEASED AND THE SAFTY CATCH GOT STUCK IN THE RELEASED POSITION. THE HOOD BLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I WILL DOCUMENT THIS RELEASE FAILURE WITH THE AUTO BODY SHOP AND I WILL KEEP THE OLD LATCH FOR PROOF. THE LATCH SAFTY DOES NOT RETURN TO THE LATCHED POSITION AFTER CLOSING THE HOOD. THE DEALER WAS NOT THE LEAST BIT CONCERNED NOR DID HE CARE OR OFFER ANY COMPANSATION IN THIS MATTER. HE SAID THE VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTEE AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE DEALT WITH AT THE DEALER LEVEL. HE NEVER EVEN ASKED IF ANYBOBY WAS INJURED. I ALSO CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY DIDEN'T EVEN WANT TO EXAMINE THE LATCH. I ASKED THE ADJUSTER IF THE HOOD LATCH WAS THE SAME ONE THAT IS IN THE 1997 AND 1998 VEHICLES BECAUSE THE WEEK BEFORE I HEARD ON THE NEWS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BECAUSE THE HOOD COULD BLOW OPEN. HE SAID THEY APPEAR TO BE THE SAME LATCH EXCEPT FOR ONE NUMBER IS DIFERENT.I SERIOUSLY BELIEVE THAT IF SOMEONE PULLS THE RELEASE THINKING IT WAS THE PARKING BREAK AND DRIVES OFF THE SAFTY LATCH MAY FAIL AS MINE DID. THANK YOU