Hood Latch problems of the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta

In late Feb 2005 purchased a 1996 Volkswagen Jetta (which was a certified used vehicle) and in (appox) sept 2005 while driving down a packed freeway during rush hour, in the middle lane, the hood of my vehicle flew up. I was traveling about 60-65 mph and it visually looked like a piece of cardboard crumpling however the impact was so great that it cracked my windshield. I consider myself and the passengers extremely lucky that we were not injured and/or did not crash. My vehicle sustained tremendous body damage to the hood and can not shut properly and as I mention previously the windshield is cracked all the way across. I am uncertain whether or not similar vehicles to mine have had problems but I feel that this was a manufacturer defect / failure due to the fact of the safety latch malfunction. I am not 100% sure whether or not the hood was not shut completely because I did not physically check it before the incident but regardless that is why I thought safety latches were put into use on vehicle hoods to prevent such dangerous occurrences.

While driving 55 mph hood flew off, breaking windshield . Dealer was notified.

Consumer received recall letter for the hood latch. Manufacturers recall#1h24q3 and NHTSA recall#98v160000. Dealer was contacted and the parts were not avalible.

When driving and applying the brakes they grind and squeak, and there is a knocking noise coming from the brakes. Also, hood latch needs to be fixed due to the hood flying up while driving which could blind the consumer.

The consumer received a recall notice for the hood latch on sept. 2, 1998. The parts for that recall has been unavailable since the day that the consumer received the notice. The manufacturer has been contacted.

Recall 98v160000/ consumer has been on a waiting list for three months, parts are still not available. Dealer will not inspect hood latch or bolts until parts are in. Problem still exists. Provide further information.

Vehicle experienced failure of the recall component (98v-160) hood latch prior to recall notification resulting in extensive damage to the vehicles hood and windshield when the hood flew open while driving.

Hood latch failed.

While driving, hood latch came unfastened, hood flew up; latch made out of flimsy material; no warning; speed 30 to 35 mph. Tt.

While driving 35-45 mph hood came unlatched and hit windshield. Dealer contacted.