Alfa 156 Bonnet Failure

[Alpha156-1999]

I was driving back from work on Friday night, probably doing about
50mph at the time, when the bonnet catch on my Alfa 156 (1999) released
and smashed my windscreen, destroyed the bonnet and some damage to the
roof. I am not sure if its classified as a write-off though, probably
as a result of my speed at the time.

This happened about 5 miles before I got to the motorway. Had it
happened on the motorway, I doubt I would be writing this thread.

I have read up on some earlier threads (e.g. this one in 2003 - 147/
156 Bonnet Catch Failure).

I would like to take the matter up with Alfa, as there is clearly a
design fault. In addition, I have had to make an insurance claim for an
"accident" and this will no doubt significantly increase my annual
premiums for years to come.

I am incensed at this incident and would like to know if anyone has had
a similar problem.

I am in the fortunate position in that I can get this problem the
publicity it deserves and would like to know which authority in the UK
I should address my issue to.

Any help on this matter would be much appreciated.

Regards
James

[Tony Rickard]

Alpha156-1999 wrote:
> I was driving back from work on Friday night, probably doing about
> 50mph at the time, when the bonnet catch on my Alfa 156 (1999) released
> and smashed my windscreen, destroyed the bonnet and some damage to the
> roof. I am not sure if its classified as a write-off though, probably
> as a result of my speed at the time.
>
> This happened about 5 miles before I got to the motorway. Had it
> happened on the motorway, I doubt I would be writing this thread.
>
> I have read up on some earlier threads (e.g. this one in 2003 - 147/
> 156 Bonnet Catch Failure).

Alfa recalled all post 2001 147 & 156 models for checking of the bonnet
release mechanism, so I am not sure where you stand with a 1999 model.

Good luck
Tony

[Ross]

"Alpha156-1999" <james.turner@finchbrook.com> wrote in message
news:1140386637.283321.139530@g47g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>I was driving back from work on Friday night, probably doing about
> 50mph at the time, when the bonnet catch on my Alfa 156 (1999) released
> and smashed my windscreen, destroyed the bonnet and some damage to the
> roof.

Must have been bloody scary!

> I have read up on some earlier threads (e.g. this one in 2003 - 147/
> 156 Bonnet Catch Failure).
>
> I would like to take the matter up with Alfa, as there is clearly a
> design fault. In addition, I have had to make an insurance claim for an
> "accident" and this will no doubt significantly increase my annual
> premiums for years to come.

I remember being notified to take my 147 back to the dealer to have the
bonnet catch checked. If memory serves, it was more to do with revising the
instructions for closing the bonnet...the implication seemed to be that some
people
weren't closing it properly and it could come open. Having said that, they
also cleaned off the original lubricant on the catch and replaced it with a
different sort...don't know if that is significant!

Regards
Ross

[John, UK.]

Alpha156-1999 wrote:
> I was driving back from work on Friday night, probably doing about
> 50mph at the time, when the bonnet catch on my Alfa 156 (1999) released
> and smashed my windscreen, destroyed the bonnet and some damage to the
> roof. I am not sure if its classified as a write-off though, probably
> as a result of my speed at the time.
>
> This happened about 5 miles before I got to the motorway. Had it
> happened on the motorway, I doubt I would be writing this thread.
>
> I have read up on some earlier threads (e.g. this one in 2003 - 147/
> 156 Bonnet Catch Failure).
>
> I would like to take the matter up with Alfa, as there is clearly a
> design fault. In addition, I have had to make an insurance claim for an
> "accident" and this will no doubt significantly increase my annual
> premiums for years to come.
>
> I am incensed at this incident and would like to know if anyone has had
> a similar problem.
>
> I am in the fortunate position in that I can get this problem the
> publicity it deserves and would like to know which authority in the UK
> I should address my issue to.
>
> Any help on this matter would be much appreciated.
>
> Regards
> James

Hi James,
I think the problem was the catch drying out due to the salt on our
roads. And when people were closing the bonnet the dry catch was not
seating properly in the secured position. From what I can find out is
the dealers were just lubricating the catch.
But as with any warranty jobs the dealers are not obliged to inform us
of the cause.
My car came in through Ireland but Alfa GB did not for some reason
think I needed to know about the recall [ in the huff I surpose, £2600
saving might have something to do with that]. As it happens I
lubricate my own catch and it has been no bother.
John,UK.

[Domestos]

"Alpha156-1999" <james.turner@finchbrook.com> wrote in message
news:1140386637.283321.139530@g47g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> I was driving back from work on Friday night, probably doing about
> 50mph at the time, when the bonnet catch on my Alfa 156 (1999) released
> and smashed my windscreen, destroyed the bonnet and some damage to the
> roof. I am not sure if its classified as a write-off though, probably
> as a result of my speed at the time.
>
> This happened about 5 miles before I got to the motorway. Had it
> happened on the motorway, I doubt I would be writing this thread.
>
> I have read up on some earlier threads (e.g. this one in 2003 - 147/
> 156 Bonnet Catch Failure).
>
> I would like to take the matter up with Alfa, as there is clearly a
> design fault. In addition, I have had to make an insurance claim for an
> "accident" and this will no doubt significantly increase my annual
> premiums for years to come.
>
> I am incensed at this incident and would like to know if anyone has had
> a similar problem.
>
> I am in the fortunate position in that I can get this problem the
> publicity it deserves and would like to know which authority in the UK
> I should address my issue to.
>
> Any help on this matter would be much appreciated.
>
> Regards
> James
>

First off all we all know alfa's have been recalled for bonnet problems. If
your model is prior to the recall range you need to let AlfaUK know. I would
call AlfaUK up and inform them that although your model is outside the
recall range it has had the same problem as one's that are in the recall
range. You also need to ask them about how to take the case forward in a
legal sense. i.e. suing alfa for a faulty car.

You might be pleasently surprised that you get offered a FREE fix etc. maybe
compensation. And be asked to keep quiet about it while in the meantime they
start recalling older models. If you get no such luck then threaten to take
it to watchdog, autotrader or similar UK Standards bodies

Lay it on thick and see what comes back out. Say that you also had a very
young child in the car and he/she was covered in glass and debris but
luckily they have been checked out at hospital and they are okay - had it
happend on a motorway you would not be here like you said...

You cannot lose anything by trying... and who knows.

Alternativly seek a motor lawyers advice about sueing Alfa and suck them dry
for every penny they have. Make sure you take photo's of the car and bonnet
latch etc... Who can put a price on life? the courts can...

I remember my own incident many years ago with a new Seat Ibiza I bought. I
had electic problems and my lights failed about amile before the junction to
the A1 (the bit with no street lights) had they failed on the A1 like
yourself I would probably not be here to write this. However I laid it on
thick to SeatUK and got a new car and hush hush letter with comensation. 6
months later a receive a letter in the post from SeatUK for a recall on
Ibiza Electrics. Apparently a wireing fault.

Try it out...
Dom

Domestos

[Alpha156-1999]

Thanks for all your responses.

I shall write to Alpha UK and see what sort of a response I receive.

Regards
James

[Ivan]

"Alpha156-1999" <james.turner@finchbrook.com> wrote in message
news:1140899721.511945.52730@i40g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
> Thanks for all your responses.
>
> I shall write to Alpha UK and see what sort of a response I receive.
^^^^^
Turning to Christianity may make you feel better, but is unlikely to assist
with the repair costs ;-)


--
Ivan.

Alfa GT
Ex 156 2.5 V6 Veloce
Ex 156 Selespeed (RIP 22 May 03)
Ex 145 QV
Ex 33 16v QV
Ex 33 QV series 1

[Pete]

On 25 Feb 2006 12:35:21 -0800, "Alpha156-1999"
<james.turner@finchbrook.com>, wrote:

>Thanks for all your responses.
>
>I shall write to Alpha UK and see what sort of a response I receive.
>
>Regards
>James
You may get a better one from Alfa Romeo UK :-)
Good luck

Pete
--
<iowna156@rustclubalfa.com>
156 2.0 TS (2001) - Proteo Rosso

[David Oliver]

James

I'm a bit late coming to this as I just found it on a search, the very same thing happened to me yesterday morning with a 2001 156, the bonnet flew up while I was on the dual carriagway out of Cork doing 100kph, it broke the windscreen, damaged the roof and bent the bonnet, luckily it was 1/2 seven in the morning so there was not too much traffic, As I was on the main road in the middle of a flyover I needed to pull off and even though I shut it down again it flew up twice more causing more damage and my wife and son a few frights!

Did you get anywhere with your investigations into this matter, I would appreciate any info I could get as I don't know whether to go to my insurance company and send my premium sky high or just try and fix it myself.

Thanks

Dave

[rogcarp]

Hi
Just read the thread. a similar thing could have happened to me. but I noticed that the bonnet did not close properly. after looking closely I noticed that the bonnet release mechanism was not resetting. This was due to a stiff bonnet release cable that was too stiff to reset the latch. a few squirts of oil between the cable and sheath and a lot of exercise soon freed it up. but I do double check every time I close the bonnet.

[Lucky2BeAlive]

Hi,

I posted my story about my incident on an unrelated forum and another Alfa owner who comes here pointed me to this thread. It sounds like I had an even luckier escape than most of you, but this makes me more angry now that I know it wasn't just an isolated incident.

Last week, on the Monday I had my Alfa 156 MOTed in Birmingham. I brought it home and didn't drive it Tuesday. I didn't open or close or touch the bonnet.

On Wednesday (22/11/06) I had gone down the M42 at rush hour, observing the 50mph restrictions. Then I returned at 11pm, in the dark, in driving rain. Foolishly, I was driving at the speed limit (70mph). the motorway wasn't rammed, but it wasn't empty either.

I came around a group of lorries in lanes 1&2 (I was in the fast lane) and noticed all the spray - and my speed. So I decided to slow down. Before I had a chance the bonnet was up. It smashed the windscreen and sunroof but luckily they stayed in one piece.

Because I had just gone around the lorries and hit a clear stretch of motorway, and because I could see under the bottom of the bonnet, I managed to quickly check my left mirror and get in the hard shoulder while braking hard - without wiping anyone (or myself) out.

Looking back on this, I am extremely lucky. If the windscreen had shattered, or if I had been alongside the lorries in the fast lane, or any other number of options, I really think I would have been in serious trouble.

I got stung nearly £200 to get the car off the motorway by the robbing recovery people. The bill looks about £1300-£1400 to repair the car - including knocking the dents out of the roof, second hand parts like the sunroof and a 'pattern' bonnet, not an alfa one.

Unfortunately I was 3rd party insurance only, and to add to my misfortune I got a correspondence from my insurers stating that I am covered for windscreens and sunrooves - only after December 06 in my new policy. :(

I believe my alfa is Irish as it has a number plate like this - AAA 1111. It's a 1999 model.

I'm not the kind of person to let things drop. I'm furious that this is a well known problem but this is the first I have heard about it. As soon as the recovery man got back with the car (I told him about my MOT) he checked the safety catch and confirmed that the dirt around it had stopped it from working. Should an MOT check that the bonnet safety catch is working?

I'm going to pursue this tomorrow and I'll come back here and update. This is scandalous!!

:mad:

Check out the damage to my car here -
(ignore the two rabbit pictures at the top - scroll down)
www.instantdigitaldelivery.com/rabbitcar

[neverbuyanalfa156]

Today I almost lost my life thanks to a faulty Alfa 156 Bonnet. After changing the battery this morning I drove up the A23 to collect family for a late Christmas lunch and ended up almost being killed.

At about 70mph on the outside lane, over taking a car on a busy morning the bonnet flipped up smashed the windscreen and then bent around the roof of the car, the rear view mirror broke off in the force and my passenger & I where covered it a spray of glass.

I had no way of seeing where I was going, but amazingly I managed to steer through the traffic and pull over into the verge without crashing.

The car has been written off without a doubt.

I'm definately lucky to me alive, and my father in law in the car at the time certainly feels that he had a luck escape too.

I am so shocked that this is a known fault with Alfa 156's and that I NEVER recieved a notice from Alfa or my dealer I use for servicing. Alfa need to be given a big kick up the arse. In this thread in the past 3 months 4 or 5 people have had same problem. Soon someone is going to be killed.

Alfa sort it out right now!!!

I'm going to take further action with this if anyone would like to contact me with their own experience, insurance costs, loss of no claims and any alfa feedback please email me.

Something has to be done now.

[andyroo75]

After reading this thread i thought i should post this to see if anyone has had a similar problem with a Alfa GTV.

I was driving down a dual carriageway one morning(it was quiet luckily) at between 70/80 miles an hour, when suddenly the bonnet flew up smashing the windscreen and bending the roof and windscreen pillars. The bonnet stayed for a couple of seconds before ripping off the car completely.
The bonnet hadn't been up for three of four weeks and i had driven up and down the road many times since it had been.
Thankfully it was quiet so it didnt cause any problems behind. It could have caused a major accident if the road was busy.
Lucky to escape with a bump on the head from the rear view mirror flying off!

The car is (or was) the Alfa 3.0L V6 GTV.

Has anyone heard of this before?