Ford Fiesta Mk6 Faulty Bonnet Latch Fix

The Faulty bonnet latch on the Ford Fiesta Mk6 is now fixed.
The bonnet catch not latching is a very common problem on a range of Ford models and in this case it was a 2 minute fix on my Ford Fiesta Mk6.
I show you how to complete the job in this video.

[@clementsphil]

You Sir, are a lifesaver. Thank you so much for this straightforward and well explained fix. Saved me getting up at 5.30am to take my wife to work tomorrow! Now just to get underneath and trace the water leak. Liked and subscribed

[@davidbaugh]

Really pleased it helped and saved you an early rise. There's always something that needs attention, but they are great cars, good luck and thanks for the sub.

[@MaxineHarmon]

Wow! You've just saved my Son some money! He was loosing the plot yesterday as he couldn't work out what the issue was as there was nothing obvious. Thank you

[@davidbaugh]

Thanks Max, it makes doing the videos worth the effort.👍

[@JK-kp2eb]

Thzts were im at now pulling me hair out

[@michaelmuller1408]

you have really saved my day. I was about to buy a new bonnet latch, then i saw your video here. Just 5 minutes after that, my car works again. Thank you very much.

[@davidbaugh]

That's brilliant, glad it's helped, makes doing the video worthwhile. Cheers David

[@joannebarnes2694]

Amazing - thank you! Just failed my MOT for this very problem. Fixed myself in a few minutes and drive straight back to the garage to pass, whilst holding back my smug face ☺️ Saved me £30 in parts and a few days stranded without my car.

[@davidbaugh]

That's brilliant.... Really pleased the video helped, made making the video worthwhile. Many thanks for the comment, appreciated.

[@haydnroberts7434]

You have a talent with making the most ordinary and mundane jobs structured and matter of fact. Once you have done a job it’s easy to be an expert but sometimes you need someone to hold your hand ...

[@davidbaugh]

Hi Haydn Hope you're well. Thanks for the comment..... I've had a few people ask about solving this particular issue. I have tried to contact you on fb for a chat a while ago but not sure it got through. If you want to catch up send me a message. All the best David

[@anthonyclarke4538]

hey david just wanted to say thanks for putting this up as it really helped me today could not figure out why bonnet would not close with a brand new latch then i watch this problem solved cheers

[@davidbaugh]

Thanks Anthony, took me a while to sort the problem, really pleased it helped. David

[@willrutter6436]

I don’t usually comment on videos, however this was incredibly useful and saved me some money. Great video, thank you!

[@davidbaugh]

Many thanks for your comment, glad it helped.

[@benghazi4216]

I've had such nightmare experiences with the MK6 bonnet latch Thank you for this video!

[@davidbaugh]

Thanks for the comment, glad it helped.

[@Twilster]

Thanks from the Netherlands for this easy fix. It worked instantly on my daughters 2004 Fiesta.

[@davidbaugh]

Many thanks, pleased it helped.

[@todman654]

This saved my skin before a long drive! Thank you for a very well spoken and demonstrated fix!

[@davidbaugh]

Really pleased it helped, many thanks for the comment. cheers David

[@ji836]

Thank you very much David. This video was very helpful for me, I hope this video helps a lot of people who needs it!

[@davidbaugh]

You're welcome. It's great when the video helps someone.

[@matthewfalley4865]

You saved my son being able to drive back to college tonight! worked like a charm. Thanks

[@davidbaugh]

Pleased the video helped. Many thanks for the comment.

[@tomasbeno2094]

Thank you, it was frustrating after long time some motor repairing in garage, everything was done, i found out i cant close the hood. You saved my nerves! It was easy and it worked!

[@davidbaugh]

Really pleased the video helped.Thanks for the comment.

[@g0fvt]

A very useful video, my wife's Fiesta bonnet was not releasing from the release handle this morning. Exactly the same issue, the lock slipping downwards puts significant preload on the mechanism that the bonnet would only release if the bonnet was pushed downwards as the under dash release was pulled. I did try tentatively closing it and exactly like yours. Before seeing your video I was beginning to think that the release cable may have been snapped. Now all OK.

[@davidbaugh]

It's not easy to see the slots on the catch so most people including me look for other causes....including me. I too thought the cable was the cause. Glad the video helped. David.

[@michaeldevos5735]

Thanks David, spot on. The bonnet strut also became slightly bent from continuously trying to close it whilst getting more and more out of line. Eventually these were not aligning cause the fault. Adjusted as you show, and slightly bent the strut to be more true, and now working perfectly. Thank you.

[@davidbaugh]

You're welcome Michael pleased the video helped. It appears to be a very common problem on a range of Fords from that time. Cheers David

[@earache8326]

Michael how did you bend the strut.thanks

[@JoseArcadioMoralesAI]

that's so simple??? you are great!

[@davidbaugh]

pleased it helped.

[@ABaconLorry]

Thank you very much! - This worked perfectly for me My wife's bonnet wouldn't shut this morning and after some WD40 and a bit of cleaning still no luck. I was looking for a replacement part when I found your video and gave it a try - worked perfectly the first time. Thank you again :)

[@davidbaugh]

That's great, glad they video helped. Thanks for the comment.

[@DavidCAIRO7]

Hello David Baugh, thank you a lot for this method, I'm very happy that I found the solution to fix this issue on my fiesta, many thanks from France 👍🏾👍🏾🙂

[@davidbaugh]

You're very welcome, it's great when the video helps someone fix their car, David.

[@scottworrall9248]

Saved me buying a new latch - thanks very much!

[@davidbaugh]

Glad to have helped👍

[@greggp4840]

If only this hadn't happened to me hundreds of miles from my tools :D looking forward to trying it after limping back home on b-roads for a day

[@davidbaugh]

Oh bugger!! I always used to carry some tools in the car, but must say I have none in my daily, I need to address that. Hope you get back ok and the adjustment works.

[@nicolarivett569]

Thank you been having a nightmare with my bonnet . Now it works perfectly thanks

[@davidbaugh]

Your welcome, glad the video helped.

[@noahgeorgealdous7890]

Fixed the issue like a dream!!! Thank you!

[@davidbaugh]

Glad it helped!

[@PP-ed9cf]

That really was the issue - fixed in seconds. Many thanks.

[@davidbaugh]

Excellent, great to hear it's been of help...Cheers

[@TheBlaert]

Great stuff. The one I was working at the washers actually ate into the plastic bit and prevented the movement. Simply put bigger washers on them

[@mikesully110]

yeah I guess every time you open and close the bonnet it pushes further down into the plastic. I actually lowered the clasp on mine by taking it off and putting washers under the bolts, probably not the best way to do it now that I've seen this!!!

[@chrisdavis6371]

Thanks for taking the time to share David.. Much appreciated!

[@davidbaugh]

You're welcome Chris. I spent a while trying to figure it out, and it's such an easy fix. If I can save others time that's great. Cheers David.

[@chrisdavis6371]

@@davidbaugh I didn’t realise there was so much play in the bolt holes to allow you to move the catch up & down!

[@davidbaugh]

I was surprised too. I would have expected some side to side adjustment but not vertically. I had to change one of the bonnet latches on My Range Rover recently (faulty sensor) and that had only side to side adjustment......ok there are two latches.

[@Hharsh_Sharma]

Thanks alot for this mate. Saved me alot of hassle. Keep up the good work. 👍🏻

[@davidbaugh]

Brilliant glad it helped. Should be more content soon....just been a little busy recently. Thanks.

[@xulusbonelo1912]

Thank you Sir! I even bought new mechanism but the problem was not fixed. I wish I saw this video a year ago.

[@davidbaugh]

I must admit I tried other fixes before I realised the the holes in the latch were slotted.

[@jenblob1065]

Thank you so much for this great explanation - totally the same for my car, gonna try it!

[@davidbaugh]

Thanks for the comment, really simple fix. Good luck.

[@nickbarry3730]

brilliant video mate just spent an hour lubricating and moving the latches to no avail

[@davidbaugh]

Many thanks........Must say I did exactly the same thing before I fixed it..

[@nabooboosh]

Absolute legend easiest fix ever!

[@davidbaugh]

Glad it was of help....

[@larry4789]

A very very helpful video, cheers 👍

[@iamalsoag]

Thanks for the insight 👍 going to give this a go on my mk7 . Having problems opening and closing.

[@davidbaugh]

It's a deceptively easy fix. Hope it works on the Mk7.

[@jadewhite908]

Brilliant - mine's the same & got MOT in 2 weeks lol. Thanks!!

[@davidbaugh]

Thank you...... I'm glad it helped.

[@liamjamestaylor]

The growing dent in my bonnet thanks you

[@davidbaugh]

Glad it helped

[@quentinzaayman8890]

You sir, are a life saver! I thank you immensely.

[@davidbaugh]

Glad the video was helpful.

[@decimal_five]

thanks for posting this video. appreciate it. all the best

[@davidbaugh]

Many thanks Steve, I hope to be posting more over the coming weeks. Cheers.

[@earache8326]

The little plastic lever that pops out when you release the bonnet, if you tighten the nut on the elbow joint this improved mine because it was lagging behind and floppy when trying to close the lid and may have been preventing the lid coming right down.

[@davidbaugh]

Good tip, Thanks

[@HelenCrane-jl1nv]

Super useful. Thank you!

[@davidbaugh]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Bruno-ck3qn]

Worked like a charm, thank you!!

[@davidbaugh]

That's brilliant glad it helped.

[@luv-kalos]

Thank you so much sir!

[@davidbaugh]

Thanks.

[@istanbul0562]

Great advice 👍

[@davidbaugh]

Many thanks...

[@alexfairhurst6293]

Perfect, thanks very much.

[@davidbaugh]

Glad it helped!

[@iansmith3797]

Thanks

[@stephenj5432]

cheers i'll try this

[@krishnaa5250]

Thank you so much it reakkt worked for me

[@davidbaugh]

Many thanks, glad it helped.

[@simontate7054]

Great ..have same problem on mine .will try this before i replace it

[@davidbaugh]

Good luck.

[@lyndastook1305]

Brilliant thank you

[@davidbaugh]

Glad the video helped..Thanks for the comment.

[@lyndastook1305]

@@davidbaugh fix it soon as you showed me how great video thank you

[@MisterSpigot95]

Worked for me, thanks.

[@davidbaugh]

Great to hear, cheers.

[@ollieg800]

Thanks. This fixed it!

[@davidbaugh]

Excellent, glad to have helped.👍

[@mikesully110]

They really should have mentioned this in the Ford manual me and my dad spent ages trying to work out why the bonnet wouldn't shut on my 1.4 fiesta; I ended up lowering the clasp itself by putting washers under the bolts that hold the clasp on!! obviously this is the intended way to do it, I reckon every time you open and close the bonnet it must push the bolts down a bit. Not an ideal way to make such a mechanism IMO they couldn't have spared 2p in some metal ???

[@davidbaugh]

I looked at that method too until I spotted the bolts and slots. I believe the Focus of the same era uses the same method. You would have thought that with all the development and testing something so simple should have been resolved.

[@mosu7650]

Thanks! 👍

[@danw1374]

My mk7 bonnet latches but doesnt secure tightly, there is still a bit of play in it. Presumably i will need to do the same.

[@davidbaugh]

It's worth a try...

[@danw1374]

​@davidbaugh I might even have a look at the bonnet catch itself as it might be worn hence the excess movement. Great video by the way, many thanks!

[@chrissyj.6783]

My van's just failed its MOT because the tester couldn't get the bonnet to close first time. I'd never had a problem with it before now. Knowing that the bonnet latch is on a vertical slot makes me think that, if the bonnet's allowed to drop from a height (by someone not mechanically sympathetic), it knocks the latch down to the bottom of the slot, without engaging it. I'm now really annoyed that it could have been such a simple fix, and perhaps even avoidable in the first place.

[@davidbaugh]

it's a very common problem and because the slots are difficult to see, the reason it won't latch is thought to be lack of greasing, corrosion, bent clasp or slight deformation of the bonnet. It's usually a gradual movement of the latch but as you say, slamming the bonnet could do it quicker..... but once you know, you know..

[@houdaifa5710]

🙏🙏🙏

[@iaingraham4911]

Thanks brilliant

[@davidbaugh]

Glad it's been of use, cheers David

[@cannibalholocaust3015]

The bonnet release on mine isn’t releasing the latch. I don’t want to force the plastic handle in case I break it. Any ideas? Not sure if issue is with the passenger side release handle itself or the latch itself.

[@davidbaugh]

Hi try this to open the bonnet. kzbin.info/www/bejne/inKsaWaiq7Wrgqcsi=3y5Lf556idzXPs1I you can then operate the release in the car and see if it is operating properly. Sometimes they just need lubricating..

[@earache8326]

I tried adjusting the catch to no avail .How do you bend the bonnet clasp back into shape successfuly ,I want to try this ,but opening the bonnet and then trying to close it again is a nightmare .thanks

[@davidbaugh]

I've not done it myself, and it looks a bit tricky. I would try and find a section of steel to put across the base of the clasp and use a strong G clamp to try and bend it back. The amount of room will probably hamper your efforts but worth a try.

[@earache8326]

@@davidbaugh thanks David

[@mikesully110]

I lowered the clasp thing by taking it off undoing the 4 bolts and I lowered the clasp thing by putting some washers underneath it, I had to get longer bolts as the original were quite small. But that was before I saw this video on raising the grabber thing; my problem was the bonnet would not shut

[@mrt9031]

👍

[@tomlincoln1996]

What if that doesn’t work any suggestions?

[@davidbaugh]

Sometimes the metal clasp attached to the underside of the bonnet can deform slightly and it can be enough to stop it locking so would need to be bent back into shape. Also make sure the latch is well lubricated. Hope this helps.

[@simonhogg5714]

Tried this and it still won't catch. Any ideas?

[@davidbaugh]

I'd check that the clasp on the bonnet hasn't bent slightly, which sometimes happens or that the bonnet around the clasp hasn't deformed. Also make sure the latch mechanism is well lubricated.

[@otsilemiracle8066]

Hy man h0w u duing ...my Ford fiesta won't open the doors when i locked them

[@davidbaugh]

Hi, do the door locks open when you insert the key? If they do then renew the key batteries.

[@alfielangridge8755]

Would you possibly know how to get the bonnet open if the cable is broken?

[@davidbaugh]

Not sure about this one. There are plenty of suggestions on some of the ford Forums. I'll have a look on mine and let you know if I can find a way.

[@alfielangridge8755]

@@davidbaugh thank you much appreciated 👍🏻

[@davidbaugh]

I've just had a look at how you could access the catch or end of the cable....and it looks rather difficult. Even taking the grille out doesn't really improve matters, it may just be possible to get a 10mm socket on the latch bolts and undo them, then the bonnet would lift, but it's touch and go. The other possibility is to put the front on axle stands and reach up, see if you can fashion a tool to push against the lever that the bonnet cable pulls against. Hope you can get it done.....i'd try from underneath the car first. Let me know if you succeed. Good luck.

[@earache8326]

We once had that problem on a VW van ,I had to get under the van with a long screwdriver and pushed up the catch ,I found the answer on KZbin so it told me exactly what to look for but luckily worked .

[@rhyenan]

Don t worked For me... Dunno why 😢

[@davidbaugh]

Check that the catch on the bonnet hasn't bent back, doesn't need much to stop it latching, or that the bonnet hasn't deformed a little.

[@AntoineFRS]

Didn't work for our mk7 :( ... the catch on the bonnet seems to have rubbed a lot so... maybe a spring issue also...

[@rhyenan]

@@AntoineFRS I solved it by making two holes with the drill in different positions