Flimsy hood, bounces?

32010 Views 59 Replies 30 Participants Last post by setiplie, 2 mo ago

NewInsightOwner

Discussion Starter · Aug 4, 2018

I just noticed that the hood rattles when going at highway speeds. I check it and it’s firmly seated. It’s as if the hood is flimsy. Do others have that issue?

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pflinker

· #2 · Aug 5, 2018

Aluminum Hood

You're not the first person to say this, I have not taken any long expressway trips to notice it yet. The hood is made out of aluminum to reduce the weight but was also designed to collapse inward if a pedestrian is struck by the car to reduce injury. All this may lead to a more flexible hood that flexes at high speeds.

NewInsightOwner

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 5, 2018

Really? It’s very distracting and potentially dangerous. Im sure no other cars with aluminum hoods does this. I’m taking it to the dealership to see if it can be fixed.

Aware

· #4 · Aug 5, 2018

If it ends up being a widespread complaint, they will have to change the default latch position or maybe add an additional one. Let us know what the dealer says.

ronnie

· #5 · Aug 5, 2018 (Edited)

Two days after we purchased our EX we set out on a 3,000 mile trip. During the trip my wife and I noticed at highway speeds the hood kind of bouncing up and down like it was unlatched. This happened mostly when we were passed by a semi on a 2-lane highway. The wind of the semi seemed to be the only case where we noticed it. We stopped two times and checked the latching to make sure it was secure. It was. And then we would open the hood and check the back hinges to see if they were secure. They were. It is strange but now understanding that "the hood is made out of aluminum to reduce the weight but was also designed to collapse inward if a pedestrian is struck by the car to reduce injury" makes sense. It's something we can get used to and should be no problem. Saving money on gas with lighter weight (and presumably safe) materials as well as saving lives with a collapsable hood is very important to me. I can't imagine Honda engineers designing something that is dangerous for the passengers.

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Thack

· #6 · Aug 6, 2018

Had the same thing happen to me today as a transport went by. The hood really vibrated.

Hapless11

· #7 · Aug 6, 2018

My old 2013 Ford Fusion's hood did the same thing when passing a semi. I keep from being distracted by not looking at the hood, which one doesn't need to do to drive. Just got done with an 800 mile round trip and it never bothered me once.

KlumzyDriver

· #8 · Dec 31, 2018

ronnie said:
Two days after we purchased our EX we set out on a 3,000 mile trip. During the trip my wife and I noticed at highway speeds the hood kind of bouncing up and down like it was unlatched. This happened mostly when we were passed by a semi on a 2-lane highway. The wind of the semi seemed to be the only case where we noticed it. We stopped two times and checked the latching to make sure it was secure. It was. And then we would open the hood and check the back hinges to see if they were secure. They were. It is strange but now understanding that "the hood is made out of aluminum to reduce the weight but was also designed to collapse inward if a pedestrian is struck by the car to reduce injury" makes sense. It's something we can get used to and should be no problem. Saving money on gas with lighter weight (and presumably safe) materials as well as saving lives with a collapsable hood is very important to me. I can't imagine Honda engineers designing something that is dangerous for the passengers.

I thought my car did not have this issue until this week when I was passed by s semi going the opposite direction at speed on a two lane highway, just as previously described. The hood noticeably flexed and bounced, and I heard a muffled sound similar to a quick clap of thunder at distance. Unnerving! First thought was the hood was about to fly up in my face. Then I remembered this earlier post and calmed myself. Fortunately, not that many vehicles created enough turbulence to affect the hood to this extent.

andrew28

· #9 · Dec 31, 2018

I just picked up my Insight EX last Friday but it was manufactured back in September based on the door jam label. I haven't notice my hood rattling going highway speeds but I actively avoid large vehicles to prevent small rocks hitting my front end or windshield. I did have a dumb moment today where I opened the hood for the first time and wasn't able to fully close it. With my previous cars including a Honda Civic, I would just drop the hood at midpoint, and it would fully close. The Insight hood just wouldn't fully close even if I drop it higher, so I drove 5 minutes down to the nearest dealership. They told me the hood is aluminum so they asked me to slam it shut with a little force instead of dropping it. I gave it a try and it worked. I was worried about slamming it down but apparently that is how it is done.

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hasarad

· #10 · Dec 31, 2018

The Insight hood isn't as heavy as a standard hood due to it being aluminum. I need to add a little extra oomph to have it latch properly. So far, I have had no hood vibration/rattle. There are adjustments for the hood latching. I'd suggest anyone having issues consult their dealer for advice.

rstek

· #11 · Jan 20, 2019 (Edited)

rickneworleansla said:
3. My hood bounces or shakes excessively while driving at highway speeds or in high wind.

If anyone has any insight on fixing these issues please let me know. The Nav recently disappearing from the gauge has been the most frustrating. I still really like the car overall and am happy about the purchase. Honda Sense and Android Auto has been really useful.

I have also noticed the hood vibrating, sometimes severely, at highway speeds or when it's windy. Today with a strong cross wind it vibrated so strongly that I genuinely became concerned it might pop up. Even though it usually lasts less than 10-15 seconds, all that vibration must be putting a strain on the latch/screws. I have asked at my dealership if they have had any other complaints about this, but they ignore the question and tell me to 'make an appointment' and have it looked at.

bamafan76

· #12 · Jan 21, 2019

rstek said:
I have also noticed the hood vibrating, sometimes severely, at highway speeds or when it's windy. Today with a strong cross wind it vibrated so strongly that I genuinely became concerned it might pop up. Even though it usually lasts less than 10-15 seconds, all that vibration must be putting a strain on the latch/screws. I have asked at my dealership if they have had any other complaints about this, but they ignore the question and tell me to 'make an appointment' and have it looked at.

This hood flutter has also been reported on the ‘18 Accord. I had the ‘18 Accord EX and had it. I plan on having the dealer look at it and if necessary open a case with Honda.

insightfully

· #13 · Jan 21, 2019

Kobe Steel investigation = Insight hood vibration (?)

Hood vibration is in the "issues" thread (https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/5596-post64.html) but I thought I'd post here under "flimsy hood" as a more specific heading for preliminary info and any ongoing updates.

I'm wondering if Insight hood vibration may relate to Kobe Steel falsified strength/durability data. (https://thediplomat.com/2018/05/japans-kobe-steel-faces-criminal-investigation/) - Honda confirmed in Oct 2017 that aluminum panels supplied by Kobe Steel with "data falsification" were used in hoods and doors of some cars. Honda and other companies were quick to respond that safety wasn't affected, but their assessments could be based on false data supplied by Kobe Steel at the time. (https://world.honda.com/worldnews/2017/c171019Kobe-Steel.html) - Continuing to use the faulty aluminum supply, OR even switching to a new (unproven) supply for 2018 Insight production could be reasons for the "flimsy hood" quality.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and U.S. Department of Justice started deeper, separate investigations a year ago but result reports haven't been published yet. (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...rising-china-competition-source-idUSKCN1PE05R) - A class action lawsuit alleging substandard parts and inadequate material testing for the Prius has been initiated against Toyota, a primary automaker supplied by Kobe Steel. (https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit...-class-action-claims-metal-parts-substandard/)

While a connection between "Kobe Steel" and "Insight hood vibration" sounds a bit 'conspiracy theory' at this point because of limited data, the info is something to watch for and/or be aware of for future reference in the news.

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insightfully

· #14 · Jan 21, 2019

bamafan76 said:
This hood flutter has also been reported on the ‘18 Accord. I had the ‘18 Accord EX and had it. I plan on having the dealer look at it and if necessary open a case with Honda.

Was the dealer able to identify and resolve the hood flutter issue on your '18 Accord?

Jc_vt

· #15 · Jan 21, 2019

Also had trouble with hood latching, my dealer warned NOT to push on it, but simply to drop from higher up. That has worked.

bamafan76

· #16 · Jan 21, 2019

insightfully said:
Was the dealer able to identify and resolve the hood flutter issue on your '18 Accord?

I never took my Accord to the dealer for it, but there is a long thread about it on driveaccord.net. Some have tried resolving it themselves but I think it is a design problem.

Verdier

· #17 · Jan 21, 2019

I was under the impression it's caused by the fact the hood is aluminum and very light so it can shake at times. Kind of freaky when at the blower part of a car wash. I've seen it shake at times but I feel confident the latch will hold. Personally I find closing the hood to be more problematic since you literally seem to have to slam it to make it close and pushing on it to close causes it to flex quite a bit.

andrew28

· #18 · Jan 21, 2019

Jc_vt said:
Also had trouble with hood latching, my dealer warned NOT to push on it, but simply to drop from higher up. That has worked.

I have to actually slam it from about 6 inches to close my hood. Dropping it even at a tall height doesn't fully close the hood on mine.

Mobilcams

· #19 · Jan 31, 2019

I adjusted the stops down just a tad and mine closes easier now.

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bamafan76

· #20 · Feb 11, 2019

We have an appt. Saturday for the hood flutter. I’ll update here after the appointment.

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