The problem
On certain pickup trucks originally sold in or currently registered in the following "salt belt" states: maine, new hampshire, vermont, massachusetts, rhode island, connecticut, new york, new jersey, pennsylvania, delaware, maryland, the district of columbia, west virginia, ohio, indiana, michigan, illinois, wisconsin, minnesota, iowa, and missouri. Corrosion of the return spring on the hood secondary latch could cause the mechanism to bind in the "release position."
The risk
If the primary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly.
The fix
Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch. Owner notification began September 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 01V-040 (01V040000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 973 |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Component | Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch |
| Report date | February 12, 2001 |
| Owners notified | September 17, 2001 |
| Vehicles affected | 701,000 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the locks & latches
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 01V-040 repair free?
Yes. Dodge dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch. Owner notification began September 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact…
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 701,000 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.