Defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERNAL HOOD LATCH COMPONENT MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A CRACK, WHICH COULD PROPAGATE AND BREAK, ALLOWING THE PRIMARY/SECONDARY LATCH SPRING TO DISENGAGE.
Safety Risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HOOD LATCH FUNCTION, ALLOWING THE HOOD TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.