One of two latches for the convertible soft top came unfastened while driving causing one side of the top to lift upwards with great violence and a very loud noise. No accident this time but it will happen- e.g. swerving out of lane and into another vehicle, pedestrian, tree, etc. Due to 1) the violence and noise and/or 2) the driver *attempting* (its impossible!) to re-latch and re-lock the top. The cause of the failure is a very poor design of the latch/lock and the locks lever being made of pot metal. Both factors combine in a synergistic manner which cause very rapid lock wear and abrupt failure. There should be a recall due to risk and the number of NHTSA complaints on this design defect- including one where both latches failed and the top blew off! defective part numbers are na01R1310_ and na01R1320_.

- Chattanooga, Tn, TN, USA