Answer
Jul 11, 2025 - 11:30 AM
Yep, this is the classic Grand Cherokee hood latch issue, and it's pretty common. If the latch isn’t catching the striker (the metal loop under the bonnet), it’s usually one of three things:
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Latch gummed up – Years of grime, old grease, or rust can stop the latch from snapping shut. Try soaking it with penetrating oil (like WD-40), then work it open and closed by hand a few times. After that, hit it with fresh grease so it moves freely.
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Hood striker misaligned – If the latch is working but not grabbing the loop, the hood may be sitting too high or the striker might be slightly out of alignment. You can loosen the striker bolts and adjust its position up/down or forward/back slightly. Sometimes just a couple millimeters makes all the difference.
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Broken or stuck latch spring – If the latch won’t stay “armed” and ready to catch, the internal spring might be busted or stuck. In that case, you might need to replace the latch assembly — not too expensive and fairly easy to swap out with basic tools.
In any case, this manual should show you the full layout of the latch assembly and adjustment procedure if you want to dive deeper 👍🏻
