Investigations
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA02029 — closed, opened 2002-10-16 and involving the JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE.
NHTSA investigation EA02029 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2002-10-16 and currently closed. The subject of record is JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for JEEP. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2004-02-10 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA02029 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "ODI OPENED EA02-029 TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND EXISTED IN THE MY 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES. DURING EA02-029, THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC FAILURE MECHANISM IDENTIFIED THAT COULD DIFF..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related JEEP files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ODI OPENED EA02-029 TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND EXISTED IN THE MY 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES. DURING EA02-029, THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC FAILURE MECHANISM IDENTIFIED THAT COULD DIFFERENTIATE THE MY 1997 VEHICLES FROM OTHER VEHICLES CONTAINING THIS SAME HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY OR COULD ACCOUNT FOR THEIR HIGHER COMPLAINT RATE. AS A RESULT, ODI EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE ALL GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES. IN PERFORMING EA02-029, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT SOME OF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT INCREASED OPERATING FRICTIONAL RESISTANCE; HOWEVER, SINCE NONE OF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCHES SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL OR OPERATIONAL DEFICIENCY AND THE COMPLAINT RATE OF HOOD FLY-UPS MEASURED OVER AN EXTENDED EXPOSURE TIME WAS LOW, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other JEEP Investigations
Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Failure
Underhood fires
Loss of Motive Power
False overheat leading to loss of motive power
Electronic Parking Brake Water Ingress
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.