Hood safety latch (broken?)

[X5chemist]

Freaked out when the safety lever wouldn't release the hood. I had just opened it a few minutes earlier. Is there a piece missing? Broken? The left kidney grill was removed to access the lever. A long set of needle nose pliers worked to get it open. The lever didn't look broken. A good dab of high temp wheel bearing grease fixed the issue. The plastic piece slides better. It opens good again.

[andrewwynn]

It's a really crappy design with terrible leverage. Mine the plastic broke due to the extreme forces needed.

Good grease should keep it working. I had to replace mine and of course add grease.

[cmbenedict]

Broke 2 of these recently as the hood/bonnet is heavy and the support struts were worn out. Replaced the hood struts and new latch - problem solved.