# 1996 DODGE RAM 1500 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
> NHTSA complaint `624139` · 2007-05-14 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** DODGE
- **Model:** RAM 1500
- **Year:** 1996
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
- **Miles at failure:** 129,000
- **Speed:** 20 mph
## Narrative
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 TO BE KEPT ON THESE VEHICLES.  *AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*