1996 Dodge Ram 1500 latches/locks/linkages problems

“The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the hood flew open and struck the windshield. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that the hood was bent, and the windshield was cracked due to the failure. The contact was able to drive to the residence at a slow speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V040000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The dealer informed the contact that he would be charged a repair fee for the replacement of the hood, the grill, the windshield, and components; however, the parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 152,000.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW UP, BUCKLED AND FRACTURED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V040000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH). THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A REPRESENTATIVE SENT FROM THE MANUFACTURERS OFFICE HOWEVER, THE REPRESENTATIVE DECLINED RECALL REPAIRS AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE, STATING THAT THERE WERE TWO PRIOR RECALL NOTICES SENT TO OWNERS OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES TO PREVENT A FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NEVER TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS WHEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,064 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,267.”

“THE RECLINING MECHANISM HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE AND HAS FAILED THEE TIMES. TWO TIME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, ONCE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR CORRECT REPAIR. *TR”

“WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON 2/5/2007 THE HOOD ON THE 1996 DODGE RAM P/U FLEW OPEN, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. JUST MISSING A BUS, THEN COMING TO A STOP AFTER HITTING THE CURB. THE HOOD WAS DAMAGED ALONG WITH THE WINDSHIELD, ALSO, FRONT END HIT THE CURB. DODGE REFUSED TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THE PRIMARY LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE, THEY ONLY HAD A RECALL FOR THE SECONDARY LATCH. IN THE RECALL IT STATED THAT THE HOOD COULD OPEN IF THE PRIMARY LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE. IF THE SECONDARY LATCH WAS NOT DEFECTIVE IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE HOOD FROM OPENING COMPLETELY. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY RECALL NOTICE FOR ANY DEFECTIVE HOOD LATCH. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND/OR KILLED OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN AFTER ENTERING I-95. DODGE SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPAIR ALL HOOD LATCHES ON THESE VEHICLES, ONE WAS NO GOOD WITHOUT THE OTHER. AFTER TAKING MY TRUCK TO A DODGE DEALER THEY LEFT THE HOOD COMPLETELY UNLATCHED, AND DID NOT REPLACE THE BUNGY CORD I HAD PLACED TO PREVENT THE HOOD FROM OPENING. WHEN WILL DODGE BE FORCED TO REPAIR THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. AFTER SOMEONE IS INJURED. DODGE WAS NEGLIGENT IN ALLOWING THESE LATCHES…”

“19960 DODGE RAM 1500. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD UNLATCHED. THE HOOD BENT BACKWARDS AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. *MC OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *TR”

“THE HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING HOME, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND HITTING THE CURB TO STOP THE TRUCK. DODGE REUSED TO REPAIR DAMAGE OR SUPPLY ME WITH A NEW LATCH, THEY STATED THE PRIMARY LATCH GAVE WAY, CAUSING THE HOOD TO OPEN. DODGE DEALER STATED THE MAIN LATCH WAS BAD, IF THE SECONDARY LATCH WAS OPERATING AS IT WAS MEANT TO THE HOOD COUND NOT HAVE OPENED, DODGE WAS AT FAULT. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY TRUCK, BUT IT WAS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION.*AK”