Bonnet Catch Failure At Speed

[StoneyAvensis]

Today the bonnet of our 09 Avensis flew up while driving at 60mph, causing serious damage. There were no signs that the bonnet was unlocked, it hadn't been opened prior to setting off and is always checked to ensure it is latched.

It was serviced in November, regularly MOT'd.

Has anyone else had this problem?

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hello Katie - welcome to Toyota Owners Club.

Through doing a search across the TOC clubs, the only thread I've found where the bonnet catch was unlatching at speed (but not where the bonnet flew up) is the following regarding a 1996 Carina - http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/165561-carina-e-1996-bonnet-catchtiming-beltniggling-problems/?hl=%2Bbonnet+%2Bcatch

Reading a later post within the thread, the original poster's mechanic thought they had fixed the issue.

[Cyker]

Yikes! Scary! Glad you're okay!!

[sproutdreamer]

Pleased that you survived this - I had a bonnet up driving in France on an old Ford Cortina and it could have been very nasty. I have always checked that bonnet catches were well oiled since.

[StoneyAvensis]

Thanks all, yes was very scary. We've been told it is due to the catch not being regularly oiled. I don't know anyone else who does this and can't believe something so serious isn't routine in all services. I plan to raise awareness as it's clearly something everyone needs to know!

[FROSTYBALLS]

Renault had a similar problem with the second generation Clio. Although there were numbers of owners who experienced the issue, and the issue was featured on BBC Watchdog, Renault denied any liability and said it was the owner's responsibility to ensure the catch was regularly oiled. No further action was taken.

[StoneyAvensis]

Thanks, yes I was aware of this having owned a second generation Clio at the time. Renault wrote to me to advise on the need to oil the catch - this was specific advice for Clio owners and it was only sensible to assume that, if the danger existed in other makes/models, the same action would have been taken by the brand. So I have asked Toyota, where was my letter? In my view this should be a warning to all car owners, and made part of all owner manuals and industry standard services, regardless of make/model.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Unless Toyota had had instances reported to them of bonnet catch failures in their vehicles, then no letter would have been issued.

Even if an issue is reported to DVSA, formerly VOSA, they require a number of reports of the same issue in order to begin investigations into the issue in conjunction with the manufacturer. An investigation doesn't necessarily mean any recall action will be taken.

[l j e]

On 1/19/2016 at 1:04 PM, StoneyAvensis said:

Today the bonnet of our 09 Avensis flew up while driving at 60mph, causing serious damage. There were no signs that the bonnet was unlocked, it hadn't been opened prior to setting off and is always checked to ensure it is latched.

It was serviced in November, regularly MOT'd.

Has anyone else had this problem?

I had this happen to me last week on my toyota avensis 59, driving at 40mph - caused the bonnet to fly open smaking the windscreen, scary stuff!! and now the car is to be written off 😞

mine was MOT'd in October, no faults reported!

 

 

[Robert81]

I bet the safety latch located under the bonnet is corroded so it does not move freely (the spring is unable to push it back to its lock position) so basically the latch stays constantly open.
When I bought my avensis I have noticed mine did the same. Had to clean, lubricate and make it move a lot to make it move nicely.

 

Having said that, that still does not explain how the main lock (located on chassis) did let go of the bonnet.
Glad to hear nobody got injured.

[Konrad C]

Last year, I didn't secure the bonnet, but the catch held it. I took a friend to the airport and it was only when I was on the way back that I noticed the bonnet moving. Luckily it had been raining that day so the motorway speed was mainly 60 mph (M25). I dropped down to 40 mph until I got to a junction, and stopped to close the bonnet. The safety catch had worked as designed. I do lubricate and check all the locks, and never need to slam doors shut.
The bonnet when released, still looks closed so you need to check after any under bonnet checks. Happened to a friend who had a Celica with high oil consumption!
 

 

[Karl01]

This happened to us this morning, a bit scary doing 70mph in the fast lane 

[Perfection]

Many years ago I had a Ford escort and the bonnet catch failed and I was traveling around 40mph and the windscreen was completely shattered and luckily no one was hurt. 

Whilst on this topic, I also noticed that on our current Toyota Verso bonnet catch is corroded so I have cleaned and hamerrite it with corrosion proof paint then applied plenty of grease to stop it rust again.

Regarding MoT, I have never seen the tester check for the bonnet lock, catch in my 30 yrs of driving. So is this suppose to be part of their check list?

[sproutdreamer]

I have just been out to oil my 08 Avensis bonnet catch. Thanks for the "heads up".🙂

[Karl01]

Yes definitely worth doing, I can't say I've ever oiled a bonnet catch. All I can say is the bonnet hasn't been opened for weeks and I always check it's secure once it's been closed. Don't think I'll need to oil this one as I think it'll be wrote off! 

[Bernard Foy]

Oiling all door and bonnet hinges and catches and checking and cleaning the Battery terminals should be done by every good service mechanic as routine at every service.

[CorkBag]

My 09avensis recently had the bonnet fly up at sixty. I had opened the bonnet that morning to fill the washers and it seemed to close normally. Drove around 8miles and at least 2miles at 60mph before the bonnet flipped up. Secondary catch did nothing. No damage to windscreen but the bonnet and side panels are bent. 

I'll replace the hinges and eventually the bonnet and side anels and it should look like new. 

I have lost some confidence in it though. 

[Catlover]

Had the bonnet release stuck in the open position (as you said you opened the bonnet that morning). The mechanism needS to be cleaned/lubricated occasionally.

[Konrad C]

I recently checked the catch again, and it is working as intended. It is greased, and the spring that helps the hook hold is good. The bonnet springs up on release, but is help by the catch hook until I release that. If the hook has a weak spring and the pivot sticking, make sure it is cleaned and see if the spring can be made stronger. I rather the catch need a bit a force to release. As I said before, that catch hook did it's job and held the bonnet down. When I close the bonnet, I press down then try and lift to make sure the bonnet lock has engaged properly. 
It would be wise to check the bonnet is secured after a garage has had the car, because if the mechanic is busy, rushing or distracted, s/he may not have closed the bonnet properly, though most tend to slam it shut! 
 

[mrfixer]

Most bonnet catches are of the same design.  The common problem is that they are at the front of the car and tend to get corroded and stiff/sticky due to road spray etc...  Worth checking and greasing every six months or so with white spray grease.

[Markh-75]

This happened to me this morning. Its torn the wings where the hinges are, dented the roof above the windscreen, and the bonnet and smashed the windscreen in. Was at 70 and had over taken a couple of vehicles, but I always give plenty of distance after overtaking before pulling back left so I knew I had time to get into the hard shoulder. A part of me panicked, the rest of me was business as usual 'just keep driving to the hard shoulder', I did. I grabbed a high viz vest from the boot, put the hazard lights on and walked up the embankment. My car looks minted; from the back!😂 gets checked, serviced, polished every year.

Silver Avensis 2010 D-Cat 2.2 Estate. I sure hope they can fix it, I love that car.

Its in secure storage tonight and going to the repairer tomorrow for them to assess. The roof doesnt look too bad to be, it has dented it at the front in a couple of spots in the centre but it hasn't creased it. I had the hood up the other day replacing the condenser and I had checked the door was closed, each time I check the oil I make sure the booted catch is oiled. It didnt rattle at all or I'd have heard it and stopped; it just BLEW! BANG!😳

 

[Markh-75]

On 5/23/2020 at 6:55 PM, Karl01 said:

This happened to us this morning, a bit scary doing 70mph in the fast lane 

Thats quite a dent on the roof! Mine is nowhere near that from 70mph

IMG_1522 2.HEIC IMG_1523 2.HEIC IMG_1524.HEIC

[Markh-75]

Have my pictures worked for anyone else? I can't see them at all. Is there a specific way to add pictures to the forum?IMG_1522 2.HEICIMG_1523 2.HEICIMG_1524.HEIC

[PCM]

25 minutes ago, Markh-75 said:

Have my pictures worked for anyone else? I can't see them at all. Is there a specific way to add pictures to the forum?IMG_1522 2.HEICIMG_1523 2.HEICIMG_1524.HEIC

Perhaps add them as JPGs

( https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/how-to-change-heic-to-jpg-on-iphone )

[Markh-75]

Hopefully this works.

 

Hehaaay! There IS a dent on the panel but I'm not sure if this would write it off, I'm no expert but it looks repairable to me. Its also ripped the wings where the hinges are!

 

Thanks for your link, I followed the tips and took pictures of them in viewer mode, seems to work!