Avoiding Inadvertant Hood Damage

[Superdave54]

The dealer explained to me on my Rogue, and again on my Versa, that the hoods are made to crumple (also stated in the sales brochure). The proper way to close a hood to avoid a crease and palm print is to NEVER latch the hood by pushing down on it.

The proper way to latch it to avoid damage is to drop it from just high enough to let it latch itself (usually about 6 inches). A person on the Rogue site just posted a complaint that they found a crease and a palm print.

It is IMPERATIVE that owners be vigilant and not let a mechanic, tow truck operator or "looky lou" damage their hood out of ignorance.

[NY.AD.MAN]

I can actually take this a step further...

I took my Versa to a DEALERSHIP to get it looked at, and low and behold, I get it back from an oil change with three brand new deep scratches in the side door.

Now, I love my car like a child, so picture my face in the same manner that somebody just cut my kid...

I brought the service guy aside and said that it was unacceptable and that I fully expected them to fix it. You know what they called it... "normal wear and tear". What kind of idiot do these people think that they're dealing with?! Even going higher up, they told me the same thing. I even threatened to go to regional, and I ended up having to.

So, because a dealership wouldn't fix a few scratches that THEY caused, theyshould be under review as we speak. I buffed out the scratches after 3 hours, and my car looks gorgeous, but customer service is god-awful for mechanics. ALWAYS inspect your car.

[jfanaselle]

Hey... I have a rogue and a versa.

[Ever Victorious]

This isn't anything new. Hoods have done this since the 80's, be it from design or simply thin sheet metal.

I remember my parents' 80's subaru wagon having a permanent set of butt-cheek prints from my brother's girlfriend when he decided to let her sit on the hood.

[themadscientist]

my hoods are all tough, not all models do this. Not sure I like the idea of a hood that weak. Good bit of info though!

[bdu]

This isn't anything new. Hoods have done this since the 80's, be it from design or simply thin sheet metal.

Yup, my old 98 Sunfire's hood would flex when I'd close it and pop back into place afterwards. I was always a bit weirded out by that, though.

[KimberKenobi]

I remember my parents' 80's subaru wagon having a permanent set of butt-cheek prints from my brother's girlfriend when he decided to let her sit on the hood.

*s*******