Engine Overheat

I just purchased a brand new 2003 Nissan Xterra last week. On the third day while driving my new Xterra, I noticed smoke was coming from under the hood. I looked down at my gauges and noticed that the temp gauge was pegged to the top (hot). My Xterra was eventually towed to the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and was taken to the service department. I was told the reason my Xterra overheated, it was due to a defective hose. -- My question is....how will this affect the engine since the vehicle was so new and the engine had not completed the break-in period?? Has this ever happened to anyone before?? If my vehicle will never be the same and I experience engine problems in the future (near or far), what are my recourse regarding this situation?? Obviously, this was problem with the manufacturer. Thanks for your help.

If it was a simple over-heat and you spewed coolant from a busted hose, it's probably not that bad. But if you actually had smoke, not steam, coming from under the hood, you really should make a big stink and insist on a new engine or have the vehicle replaced with a new one. The new engine would have the remainder of the original vehicle warranty coverage, so no real downside to that other than down time.

Brent

man that sucks, not a good way to start off. was it steam from fluid hitting hot parts under the hood? or smoke with a burning smell? smoke would mean the dealer would have to do a lot more than just replace a hose to get the truck back to you. if it was smoke i would also insist on a new engine or a new truck as it was there fault. if it was just the coolant spewing from a busted hose onto the engine i would just ask for the engine to be cleaned and of course the new hose and coolant.
good luck

You should be asking Nissan about this.........send consumer affairs a letter asking them. Just as you posted............It may end up covering you in the future. Just a thought..........I had a problem when I bought my terra and Nissan Consumer affairs really came thru..........the address and stuff is in your "book"........good luck