Buy Jeep Cherokee Hood Latch

Jeep Cherokee owners rely on the hood latch-also called a hood lock, bonnet latch, hood catch, or hood striker-to keep the hood closed at speed and to give technicians safe, quick access to the engine bay. A primary latch holds the hood firmly, while a built-in secondary safety catch keeps the panel from flying up if the first catch slips. U.S. safety rule FMVSS 113 makes that two-stage design a legal requirement for front-opening hoods like the Cherokee's, and failures have led to official investigations, technical service bulletins (TSBs), and frequent owner complaints. Routine cleaning and a dab of white lithium grease can prevent most sticking or flutter problems, and Jeep specifies light torque on the latch bolts-only 9-11 N·m on many Cherokees-so over-tightening is a common DIY mistake. If the vehicle says "hood ajar" and blocks remote start, there's a tiny plunger switch inside the latch that may need to be reset or replaced. (Wikipedia, eCFR, NHTSA, NHTSA, iFixit)

Function

The latch sits at the front edge of the hood and grabs a steel loop called the striker. A release lever under the dash pulls a cable that pops the primary catch; a small tab you push by hand outside the grille releases the secondary catch so the hood can lift. This twin-latch style dates back to the 1970s safety rules and is still used on every modern Cherokee. (eCFR, Wikipedia)

Key Parts

• Primary latch - spring-loaded claw that holds the hood tight.
• Secondary catch - thin hook that stops the hood if the primary fails.
• Striker loop - welded to the hood.
• Release cable & handle - inside the cabin.
• Hood-ajar switch - tiny sensor that disables remote-start when the hood is open. (iFixit)

Fit & Years

• XJ Cherokee (1984-2001) - twin latches, one at each front corner, linked by a cross-bar. (Reddit)
• KK/KL Cherokee (2008-present) - single central latch with integrated sensor; latch bolts torque to 11 N·m (97 in-lb). (NHTSA)
• Grand Cherokee lines share a similar latch but use different striker depth and bolt pattern-don't swap parts across models. (NHTSA)

Safety Rules

Federal rule FMVSS 113 says every hood must have a primary latch and, if it opens forward, a secondary catch that can't be released from the driver's seat. (eCFR, NTEA)
Auto makers publish extra standards: an SAE paper on front-end modules notes that "avoiding hood disengagement from the latch" is critical in crash tests. (SAE Mobilus)

Common Issues

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Maintenance Tips

• Grease twice a year. A shot of white lithium grease keeps the catch moving and repels moisture. (Popular Mechanics)
• Work both stages. After greasing, close and open the hood a few times to spread lubricant on the primary and secondary hooks. (Reddit)
• Check torque. Cherokee hood-safety-latch bolts tighten to about 80 in-lb (≈9 N·m), and KL latch bolts to 11 N·m; hinge-to-hood bolts require 23 N·m. Over-torque can distort the striker. (NHTSA, NHTSA)
• Look for rust. If the striker loop is pitted, replace it: rust weakens the steel and shortens engagement depth. (CarComplaints)

Install Steps

1. Prop hood, unplug hood-ajar switch if present.
2. Mark latch outline with painter's tape to keep alignment.
3. Remove two 10 mm bolts; keep shims in order.
4. Slide new latch in place, thread bolts finger-tight.
5. Gently close hood to the secondary catch-this self-centers the latch. Tighten bolts to spec (11 N·m on KL). (NHTSA)
6. Open hood, test the inside lever and safety tab three times.

Tip: Always reconnect the ground cable on battery-disconnect Cherokees before testing remote start so the Body Control Module sees the latch signal. (iFixit)

Troubleshooting

Pull-handle loose? Check if the plastic T-handle is cracked; a sticky cable can make it hard to reset. (Reddit)
Hood bounces above 60 mph? Raise the rubber bumpers a half-turn and realign the latch per STAR TSB. (NHTSA)
Hood flew open? Replace windshield, hinges, and both latch assemblies; corrosion or fatigue usually affects both sides. (Reddit)
Latch frozen in winter? Warm with a hair dryer, then spray silicone de-icer; avoid pounding on the hood, which can bend the striker plate. (Family Handyman)

Upgrade Ideas

• Stainless-steel striker kit resists rust better than factory mild-steel loops.
• Low-profile hood-pins are popular on high-lift Cherokees-pins act as a third safety point when bouncing on trails. (Reddit)
• Rubber hood-buffers with built-in shims reduce metal-to-metal noise and stop flutter at highway speeds. (CarComplaints.com)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often should I grease my Jeep Cherokee hood latch?
A: At least twice a year-spring and fall-using white lithium grease or silicone spray. (Popular Mechanics)

Q: What size are the latch mounting bolts?
A: Most Cherokees use two M6 × 1.0 × 16 mm bolts; tighten them to 9-11 N·m (80-97 in-lb). (NHTSA)

Q: My remote start says "hood open," but the hood is shut. Why?
A: The latch's tiny hood-ajar switch is stuck or broken. Cleaning sometimes helps, but swapping the latch is the fast fix. (iFixit)

Q: Is there a recall on Cherokee hood latches?
A: A past NHTSA investigation covered 1993-98 Grand Cherokee latch failures, but no formal Cherokee recall is active today. (NHTSA)

Q: Can I adjust hood height to stop flutter?
A: Yes-turn the rubber bumpers counterclockwise to raise the hood until it sits flush with the fenders, then center the latch and tighten bolts to 11 N·m. (NHTSA)

Q: What happens if both latches fail at speed?
A: The hood can slam the windshield, block your view, and cause a crash. Always keep the secondary catch clean and test it after every service. (Reddit)

Q: Does the hood latch sensor disable auto-stop-start?
A: Yes-if the sensor thinks the hood is open, the engine won't shut off at traffic lights, preventing surprise restarts while you're under the hood. (iFixit)

Q: Are off-road hood pins street-legal?
A: Pins are legal as supplements, but you must keep the OEM primary and secondary latches in place to meet FMVSS 113. (eCFR)

Q: Why does my 2019 Cherokee hood shake near big trucks?
A: A 2020 TSB explains that latch mis-alignment and under-flush hood height create aerodynamic lift; adjusting bumpers and latch solves it. (NHTSA, CarComplaints.com)

Q: What torque do the hood hinges need?
A: Jeep's 2024 bulletin calls for 23 N·m (17 ft-lb) on hinge-to-hood fasteners. (NHTSA)