I lifted the hood to check the washer fluid level. As I turned to pick up the refill bottle to fill the car's washer bottle the hood fell on its own. Had my hands or head still been under the hood I would have sustained significant injuries. The hood struts now fail every time and I have to use a stick to hold the hood up. I went to action motors (Jeep dealership in danbury, ct) on 1/2/09 and discussed with service managers. They said failure of the hood struts is expected and is common - especially in cold weather. In fact, they told me their service policy for all mechanics is to install a vice grip on all Grand Cherokee hood struts before any work begins -- even if the owner has not reported this issue. Failures occurred too often to allow their people to work under the hood without the vice grip in place. While they may have advance knowledge of this hazardous issue, most car owners do not. I asked if Jeep had a recall on this issue and was told "no." My car is only 4 years old.

- Ridgefield, CT, USA

2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee with heated seat issue. Consumer states that the vehicle has been taken to the dealer several times for the heated seat problem. She also states that there is a wire or rod poking through the driver seat. The consumer also stated the transmission failed, there was a problem with the power steering, the blend doors in the heating system, the passenger side window fell down in to the door panel, and the hood struts failed. The consumer stated the heated seat issue had been recalled. The engine light illuminated and it was determined that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced.

- Decatur, GA, USA

Gas/hydraulic struts will not hold hood open - I raised hood to clean around it and it came back down on my hands. Fortunately, I was fast enough to pick them up to "almost" catch the hood and not do any significant damage to them. But still - car is only 3 years old and had less than 20,000 miles!

- Waipahu, HI, USA

Raised hood of 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Had hand on fender while looking in right front wheel well. Hood closed without warning, upon apparent failure of gas-strut hood supports, mashing and trapping two fingers between hood and fender. Understand from dealer others struck on head upon failure of hood struts.

- Lexington, KY, USA