Copy of the Recall letter to Alfa Romeo 156 Drivers

Vehicle Safety Recall Notification
Alfa Romeo 156 (All Versions)
Bonnet Closure-Method and Maintenance

24 October 2005

Dear Customer

Alfa Romeo have received a very small number of reports of the bonnet accidently opening on the Alfa Romeo 156. To prevent similar occurrences, we must draw your attention to the need to follow precisely the instructions given in the Owner’s Handbook regarding correct closure of the bonnet whenever it is opened or the release mechanism operated for any reason

These instructions require that to close the bonnet, you must allow it to drop from a height of 20 centiemetres above the engine compartment. It is then necessary to check that it is fully closed by trying to lift it upwards. If it is still open, or simply engaged in the safety position it should be re-opened and the complete closing operation repeated, rather than just trying to press it down.

If the check shows that the bonnet is shut correctly, then the bonnet will not open during driving.

Moreover, to ensure that the bonnet closing mechanism continues to operate efficiently, especially in particularly aggressive environmental conditions (such as driving on roads which are heavily salted to prevent ice). It is necessary to strictly follow the maintenance programme enclosed with this letter and which you should insert in your Owner’s Handbook.

Finally you are requested to take your car to any Alfa Romeo Dealer, by Appointment, who will check the state of maintenance and efficiency of the bonnet closing mechanism and answer any questions you may have.

The check and any necessary maintenance will be carried out free of charge. A list of Dealers is enclosed for your reference.
If you no longer own or operate the vehicle would you please advice us of the name and address of the new owner using the detachable reply-paid card at the bottom of this letter.

The Safety Recall is being conducted in accordance with the Society of Motoring Manufactures and Trade Voluntary Code of Practice and is fully approved by the Vehicle & Operators Services Agency (formerly the Department of Transport). We apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your cooperation.

Yours faithfully, Alfa Romeo UK

Orginal document can be found here.

What the Alfa Romeo 156 Manual says about the bonnet?

This what my Alfa Romeo 156 owner’s manual says about closing the bonnet

“To Close: - Lower the bonnet until approximately 20 centimetres from the engine compartment and then let it drop ensuring that it is fully closed and not just held in position by the safety hook.

If the bonnet does not close properly do not push it down but open it again and repeat the above procedure.

Always check that the bonnet is closed properly to avoid it opening while the car is travelling”

As you can see there is no mention on maintenance. Before my crash I changed the battery of my car and closed the bonnet from 3 feet. The bonnets are very heavy on the Alfa and it closed in the normal position. I gave it a quick push up and down and it seemed fine.

Unbeknown to me the catch and safety catch had only half closed and any major force, such as driving at 70mphs would open it. The rest is quite self explanatory...