I bought a new 2002 Dakota SXT about three weeks ago. It had 2 miles on it when I test drove it off the lot.
Last night on my way from from my girls house... my temp gauge was pegged!
The engine was also smoking...
When I got home, I shut the motor off and popped the hood. After the smoke cleard and I found a flash light..... I found out that the heater hose was to blame. The back part of the heater hose came off the front part where the plastic connecter meets the two hoses. I looked at it closer and it turns out that there are TWO clamps on one hose, and none on the other side (the side that fell off). I lost all my coolant, and I'm afraid that my motor will suffer damage in the future. I fixed the hose and put more coolant in...
I'm pissed that the damn Dodge builder people can't even clamp a damn hose right. I'm going up to the dealer today after work to let them know what happened. I want them to have a record of it. I know they aren't going to do anything about it, but still.... just incase something happens in the future....