Preliminary Evaluation · Closed
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
This investigation led to a recall
NHTSA links this probe to recall campaign 98V160000.
Campaign 98V160000 predates our recall archive — check NHTSA.gov for details.
What NHTSA is examining
Odi has received three reports, including the petitioners, regarding alleged hood latch failures.all of the odi reports indicate the hood flew up while driving.following a telephone inquiry, volkswagen provided odi with some limited information regarding six additional reports of hood fly-up for model years 1995 and 1996.this investigation was opened to further study this issue.defect description:it is possible that on some of the affected vehicles the bolts securing the front hood latch may lose their specified fastening torque over time.should this happen, the latch could move out of its design position and cause disengagement of the hood striker from the latch.in some vehicles the latch may not have been properly aligned during production.repeated opening and closing of the hood with an improperly aligned latch could result in damage to the latch.either condition could result in unexpected opening of the hood and could obstruct a portion of the driver's view of the road while driving, and result in an accident.remedy: volkswagen of america, inc. Will initiate a voluntary safety recall instructing its authorized dealers to check the hood latch and securing bolts and replace them if necessary.
Vehicles under investigation
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation records, updated daily. An investigation is not a determination that a defect exists; many probes close without a recall.