Hood will not open?

Tiny
HENSLEY86
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
  • 180,000 MILES
I have two dents in my hood from hitting a deer. Now the hood won't open. Is there a way I can get it open and pop out the dents? There doesn't seem to be any other damage to the car.
Monday, July 28th, 2025 AT 3:51 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yep, this can be a bummer. You want to enlist the assistance of a helper. Have the helper pull the hood release cable while you push down and then it should release. Additionally, while the cable is pulled pull up on the hood, and if that does work pull the hood side to side. There is a chance the clasp for the latch is not releasing due to the damage. Can you upload an image of the damage so I can see it?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 28th, 2025 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
HENSLEY86
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
This is the best picture I have right now.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 28th, 2025 AT 6:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
O, that is a bummer. You might have to have a body shop fix that. Or try to bend the hood back, either way it will be difficult to open in this condition.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 29th, 2025 AT 10:28 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Hood Open Content

Hood Open
GUIDE
Hood Open
Opening a vehicles hood is a relatively simple task that can be done in a few minutes with no tools required. The hood release consists of two latch stages, primary and...
VIEW MORE