STRUCTUREFebruary 26, 2005
HOOD STRUTS ON VOLVO SEMI TRACTORS ARE OF INFERIOR DESIGN. THE STRUTS CONTROL HOOD OPENING AND ACT AS A STOP TO KEEP THE HOOD FROM FALLING ALL THE WAY FORWARD. THE ENDS OF THE STRUTS BREAK OFF. THIS PARTICULAR TRUCK HAD ONE BROKEN STRUT. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD THE OTHER STRUT BROKE. THE HOOD OPENED ALL THE WAY FORWARD CRASHING ON TOP OF ME TRAPPING ME UNDER THE HOOD. THIS CAUSED INJURIES TO MY NECK AND BACK. OUR FLEET MECHANICS REPLACED BOTH STRUTS AND ARE IMPLEMENTING AN INSPECTION PROGRAM TO INSPECT STRUTS ON OTHER TRUCKS. THERE ARE STEADY FAILURES OF THE STRUTS ON OUR FLEET TRUCKS. THERE IS AN UPDATED DESIGN. THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY CABLE OR A HOOD OPENING RESTRICTED DESIGNED INTO THE HINGE. *JB
1 injury(ies)
NHTSA #10112198