2002 Mitsubishi Diamante

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 123 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility. It has been recalled 3 times.

Avoid One of the Mitsubishi Diamante years to avoid: 2.9× the complaints of a typical Diamante year. Which Mitsubishi Diamante years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
60,000 milesMedian miles at failure

91 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante problems

65 of the 123 complaints (53%) are about the visibility.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core58
004
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System · engine15
001
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine12
000
Electrical System5
100
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System4
001
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission4
001
Visibility3
000
Power Train · transmission3
000
Suspension › Rear2
000
Air Bags · airbags2
101

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Other › Labels04V428000
Filed Sep 1, 2004100,432 vehiclesMitsubishi Caribbean

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy. MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual04V067000
Filed Feb 11, 2004134,000 vehiclesMitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION FOR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM (CRS) TETHER STRAP.

Risk. IF THE TETHER STRAP IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TO THE TETHER ANCHOR, THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT RESTRAINED. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD COULD BE INJURED.

Remedy. A LETTER OUTLINING THE PROBLEM WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ALONG WITH A STICKER CONTAINING THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO AFFIX THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood02V100001
Filed Apr 7, 20023,885 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE MAIN UNDER HOOD ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ENGINE CONTROL HARNESS AND THE EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD. AS A RESULT, THE HARNESS COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD, WHICH COULD RESULT IN MELTING OF THE HARNESS INSULATION.

Risk. THE MELTING OF THE HARNESS INSULATION COULD RESULT IN GROUNDING OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WIRING, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RUN ERRATICALLY OR STOP SUDDENLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HARNESS FOR DAMAGE AND, IF NONE IS EVIDENT, WILL TIE THE HARNESS BACK TO PREVENT THE HARNESS FROM EVER COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD. ANY HARNESS THAT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE WILL BE REPAIRED AS NECESSARY AND THEN TIED BACK TO PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 13, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Aug 2, 2017143,000 milesWA

I WAS DRIVING MY MITSUBISHI ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY BRIDGE ON 7-28-2017 AND SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND I WAS STUCK AND HAD NO POWER OF MOVEMENT,MY WIFE AND 3 Y.O.CHILD WERE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR,LUCKILY THE STATE PATROL CAME AND ASSISTED US.THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THIS CAR WAS MECHANICALLY SOUND AND HAD NO PROBLEMS OR ISSUES.THEY LIED TO US AND BY DOING SO THEY PUT OUR LIVES IN DANGER.THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WAS ALSO MISSING WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR.

Power Train
Filed Apr 8, 2015AL

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WOULD NO LONGER PROPEL THE VEHICLE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE. THIS IS A VERY HAZARDOUS ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE. SHE HAD TO COAST THE CAR OVER AND WAS RAPIDLY LOOSING SPEED, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY PART IN THE TRANSMISSION CALLED A WAVE SPRING. IN EVERY F4A51 MITSUBISHI TRANSMISSION, THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE. THE WAVE SPRING BREAKS, BYPASSES THE FILTER, ENTERS THE PUMP GEARS AND BREAKS THE PUMP, ENDING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR, $1800-$2000. IT IS A FAULTY DESIGN, AND A BETTER AFTERMARKET WAVE SPRING WAS EVENTUALLY ENGINEERED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 18, 201565,289 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V100001 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.) THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,289.

Power Train
Filed Jan 11, 2015141,000 milesWA

DRIVING ALONG AT 35MPH ENGINE RPM SUDDENLY ALMOST RED LINED LOST POWER AND LOST ALL FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS.HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE! *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 24, 201360,000 milesMN

THE CAR JUST STOPPED. THE GEARS WERE NONFUNCTIONAL. *TR

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Oct 1, 2012140,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PASSENGER VAN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE MISFIRES, NEEDED SPARK PLUGS, A FUEL PUMP, A FUEL INJECTOR, AN EGR VALVE, AND THE ENGINE SURGED ERRATICALLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 12/06/12*LJ UPDATED 12/6/2012 *JS

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System1 injured
Filed Dec 6, 201091,000 milesNJ

THE HEATER CORE IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE WINDOWS IN THE CAR FOG UP SO BAD I COULDNT DRIVE THE CAR...HAD TO PULL OVER AND WIPE THE WINDOWS DOWN. BUT THE THING IS...I DIDNT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEMS WAS...UNTIL I REALIZED THE WINDOWS WERENT JUST BEING FOGGED BY THE COLD, ECT IT WAS A TOXIC MIST FROM A HEATER CORE PROBLEM...I PULLED OVER 2 TIMES BECAUSE I GOT SICK...I NOTICED A MIST COMING OUT OF THE VENTS....SO ALL IN ALL I CALLED MITSUBISHI AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS.THIS HEATER CORE PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS, SICKNESS, AND OTHE EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS IN THE CAR! THE FUMES ARE EXTREMELY TOXIC!!! THERE ARE 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS AND BLOGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM...I'M SURE THERE ARE 100,000+ COMPLAINTS ABPOUT THIS PROBLEM. AND MITSUBISHI REFUSES TO HELP OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I TOLD THEM, IS THIS GONNA TAKE A FATAL ACCIDENT FOR THEM TO DO SOMETHING?" THEY REPLIED, "IM NOT ANSWERING THAT!" I TOLD THEM THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS PROBLEM. THEY REPLIED, "SORRY BUT YOUR WARRANTY IS UP WE CAN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT IT." THIS HEATER CORE PROBLEMS LEADS TO FAULTY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, HAZERDOUS PROBLEMS, SICKNESS, INTERIOR OF THE CAR CAN BE RUINED BECAUSE ANITFREEZE LEAKS THROUGH THE DASH BOARD...WHERE MITSUBISHI PLACED THE HEATER CORE. MADE NO SENSE TO PLACE A HEATER CORE ABOVE THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THEY REALLY MESSED UP HERE AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I THINK THAT THE MEDIA SHOULD GET INVOLVED BECAUSE

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 25, 201088,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AS A RESULT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000. UPDATED 12/15/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/27/10

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 24, 201080,000 milesFL

JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WITH A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE, I HAVE HAD HEATER CORE PROBLEMS. ANTIFREEZE LEAKING/SMELL AND WINDOWS FOGGING UP. COST TO REPAIR EXCEEDS $1000. IF EVERY ONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAS THIS SAME ISSUE, WHY HAS IT NEVER BEEN RECALLED? AND WHY DOES MITSUBISHI GET AWAY WITH ALL CARS HAVING THIS DEFECT? AND WHY HAS THIS INVESTIGATION NOT RESULTED IN ACTION? IS THERE ANOTHER AGENCY THAT CAN GET RECALL ACTION FROM MITSUBISHI? *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed May 6, 2010MA

MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE 2002 HAS FAULTY O-RINGS AND IS WIDELY PUBLICIZED TO CAUSE MAJOR HEATER CORE PROBLEMS AND ANTI-FREEZE LEAKAGE. *TR

Visibility
Filed Dec 17, 200960,000 milesIN

MY FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS FOGGING UP EVERY TIME I USED THE HEATER AND A SMELL OF COOLANT INSIDE MY CAR--NASTY FILM WAS LEFT, FOUND OUT IT WAS A HEATER CORE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES THE FOG WOULD TAKE 20 MINUTES TO CLEAR UP WITH DEFROSTER ON HIGHEST SETTINGS. THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH MITSUBISHI DIAMANTES. I AM SURPRISED THAT THESE HAVE NEVER BEEN RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Dec 9, 200932,000 milesMA

ABS CONTROL MODULE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 9, 200930,000 milesMA

HEATER CORE AND O RINGS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Nov 17, 200937,000 milesPA

OUR 2002 MITSUBISHIS DIAMANTE VR-X HAS BEEN MISTING FROM THE HEATER CORE FOR A FEW YEARS. THE PROBLEM IS BAD GASKETS (O-RINGS) THAT JOIN THE HEATER CORE WITH THE LINES FOR THE HEATER HOSES. THE HEATER CORE IS INSTALLED RIGHT OVER THE PCM UNIT. IF IT LEAKS BADLY ENOUGH, THE PCM AND TRANSMISSION RELAY WILL BE DESTROYED. IT (HEATER CORE) FAILED SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WHEN WE WENT TO MITSUBISHI DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT. THEY QUOTED US $1400.00 FOR REPAIRS. ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT NO ONE HAS GOTTEN ANY SATISFACTION FROM MITSUBISHI. I PUT SOME RADIATOR STOP-LEAK IN AND THIS SEEMED TO HELP SOMEWHAT, BUT IT IS STARTING TO MIST AGAIN WITH ANTI-FREEZE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A TOXIN AND IS DANGEROUS TO INHALE AND WILL JEOPARDIZE MY FAMILY'S HEALTH. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 2, 200994,000 milesKY

I HAVE A '02 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE AND I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS OUT OF THE HEATER CORE LEAKING AND NOW ITS AFFECTED MY ECU (COMPUTER) I CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT OUTRAGEOUS PRICES TO FIX OR EVEN CHECK MY CAR.. I THINK THAT SINCE ITS A PROBLEM FROM THE DEALER THEY SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS.. I KNOW I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MITSUBISHI AND I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THEM TO A FRIEND.. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System1 injured
Filed Aug 3, 200978,000 milesAL

MY 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE HAS O RING FAILURE IN THE HEATER COIL. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS COMMON ON THIS MODEL AND WOULD LIKE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES DUE TO THE EXTREME NATURE OF THE ISSUE. WITH THE FAILURE OF THE O RINGS COME POTENTIAL ANTI FREEZE VAPORS ENTERING PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAUSING PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO ALL PASSENGERS. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE CAR TO OVERHEAT IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND/OR DEATH. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE HEATING ELEMENT TO NO LONGER WORK AND PASSENGERS IN THE EXTREME WINTER CLIMATES MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO PHYSICAL HARM OR DEATH. LASTLY, THIS IS A RAMPANT KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT DEALER COST. MY CAR COST ORIGINALLY $30,000. AND I WOULD EXPECT THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THESE COMPANIES BACK UP THE VEHICLES THEY ARE SELLING TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND MAKE THEM SAFE AND WORTH THE MONEY THAT IS SPENT ON THEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed May 29, 200971,000 milesWI

HEATER CORE LEAKS INTO CAR STEAMS UP WINDOWS AND LEAKS ON THE COMPUTER AND CHANGES THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING. *TR

Child Seat
Filed May 20, 2009UT

THE BUCKLES IN BACK OF THE CAR SEAT DOES NOT HOLD THE STRAPS IN PLACE THEY COME LOOSE JUST BY CARING THE CAR SEAT. I ENTERED IN A DIFFERENT MODEL NUMBER THEN WHAT MY CAR SEAT MODEL NUMBER IS BECAUSE YOU DO NOT HAVE IT IN YOUR SYSTEM MY MODEL NUMBER FOR MY CAR SEAT IS 22-325 PAC GB1B. SORRY BUT I NEEDED THIS COMPLAINT PUT IN IMMEDIATLY BECAUSE I DO NOT NEED ANYTHING BAD HAPPENING TO MY BABY BECAUSE OF HIS CAR SEAT THAT HAS A SERIOUS DEFAULT THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2002, MAKE=MITSIBISHI, MODEL=DIAMANTE). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 10, 2009FL

THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE SMELL AND THE SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS IS BECAUSE THE HEATER CORE HAS GONE BAD. THE QUOTE I RECEIVED WAS FOR $1100. MY ANTENNA JUST STOPPED WORKING ON ME ALSO. IT DOESN'T GO DOWN ANYMORE, BUT THE MOTOR STILL SOUNDS LIKE ITS WORKING. WE ARE ALL HAVING TOO MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE LIABLE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Mar 1, 2009103,000 milesFL

IT HAPPENED OUT OF NO WHERE. NO SIGNS OR WARNINGS TO HELP PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. THE HEATER CORE LEAKS UNCONTROLLABLY. IT'S A LONG LABOR JOB AND HAPPENS PRETTY EARLY IN THE CARS LIFE SPANS. THE PARTS ARE CHEAP TO REPLACE BUT THE CONSEQUENCES ARE DRASTIC. *TR

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Feb 28, 2009CA

WINDOWS FOGGED UP, SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE AND CARPET IS WET ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

Visibility
Filed Feb 15, 200980,100 milesIL

THE BLACK METAL STRIP ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALL THE PLASTIC CLIPS THAT ATTACH THE WINDSHIELD TO THE STRIP WERE BROKEN, AND SOME WERE EVEN MISSING UPON INSPECTION. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP, AND GOT A CARFAX REPORT THAT SHOWED THE VEHICLE SUFFERED NO PRIOR DAMAGE AND HAD NO PRIOR ACCIDENTS WHATSOEVER. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 3, 200974,000 milesAE

I HAVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND ALREADY I NEED TO REPLACE THE HEATER COIL. I GUESS THIS IS ON GOING PROBLEM WITH MITSUBISHI. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 21, 200968,228 milesTX

I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED INCLUDING THE TORQUE CONVERTER $5000. I AM GOING ON MY SECOND POWER ANTENNA $300. THE MOST RECENT CALLED FOR A HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT $1050. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 15, 200895,000 milesVA

THE HEATER CORE OF THE 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND/OR REDESIGNED BY MITSUBISHI. AS IT IS, JUST ABOUT EVERY SINGLE POST I SEE ONLINE ABOUT THIS CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE HEATER IS POSITIONED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE CAR'S COMPUTER , OR ECU , AND THEREFORE CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, SUSPENSION, ETC.. THE ENTIRE 80-PAGE THREAD LINKED BELOW IS ALMOST COMPLETELY ABOUT THIS ISSUE : HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_76426.HTML THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE IT. THE ISSUE IS MENTIONED IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS BY MITSUBISHI BUT IS NOT RECALLED. PEOPLE ARE BUYING THIS CAR USED AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE (AROUND $1200 REPAIR). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Dec 6, 200860,000 milesGA

AT APPROX 60K (I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER) THE CAR BEGAN TO EMIT MIST FROM THE VENTS. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS A NEAR OVERHEATING EVENT WHICH CAUSED ME TO CHECK THE COOLANT. AFTER TOPPING OFF THE LEVEL THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN REPEATED THE BEHAVIOR. THE TCL WENT OFF, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE MIST GOT HEAVIER, AND THE CAR IS A DANGER TO BOTH MYSELF AS AN OPERATOR AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE FOG FROM THE ANTIFREEZE DAMAGES VISIBILITY. THE FLOOR MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS ALSO GATHERED MOISTURE FROM THE APPARENT LEAK. THIS SCENARIO IS WELL DOCUMENTED BY OTHERS AND DEMANDS A RECALL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 17, 2008VA

HEATER CORE IS LEAKING CAR ONLY HAS 82,000K ON THE DASH. AS I HAVE GONE THROUGH VARIOUS CAR FORUMS AND HAVE COME TO REALIZE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

Visibility
Filed Nov 7, 200853,600 milesNY

FOGGY WINDOW, ANTIFREEZE SMELL THROUGH VENT, PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR DAMP/WET. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT HEATERCORE O-RINGS AND HEATERCORE POSSIBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Oct 29, 2008VA

HEATER CORE FAILURE CAUSED FAILURE OF POWER CONTROL MODULE. TOTAL REPAIR BILL > $2,500. MITSUBISHI IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND NEGLECTS TO EVEN INFORM CUSTOMERS THAT THERE ARE STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BEFORE A COSTLY BREAKDOWN. DEFECTIVE PCM CAUSES SEVERE DRIVABLE PROBLEMS. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Oct 28, 200890,000 milesMN

AT ABOUT 95000 MILES I NOTICED THE VEHICLE BECOMING VERY HARD TO DRIVE WHENEVER THERE WAS SLIGHT MOISTURE OR SNOW ON THE ROADS. AFTER INSPECTING I NOTICED BOTH REAR WHEELS TIPPED IN AT THE TOP SUBSTANTIALLY. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS ALSO TOWED OUT AT THE FRONT AND BOTH REAR TIRES WERE ALMOST COMPLETELY WORN EVEN THOUGH I HAD JUST REPLACED THEM ABOUT 25000 MILE PRIOR. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR BUSHINGS THAT PRESS INTO THE REAR KNUCKLES WEARING PREMATURELY. I HAVE SINCE MOVED THE FRONT TIRES TO THE REAR AND THOSE HAVE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. I UNDERSTAND I WILL NEED TO HAVE THESE BUSHINGS REPLACED AND HAVE THE SUSPENSION ALIGNED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE EXPENSE AND WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT TO LOOK FOR THE VEHICLE GOES FROM A NICE RIDE TO ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN A VERY SHORT TIME. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND ALOT OF PEOPLE WILL BE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM OR CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THIS WAY BECAUSE IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Oct 28, 200870,000 milesMN

AT ABOUT 70,000 MILES I STARTED TO SEE A VERY FINE MIST-LIKE SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. SO AFTER THE TEMP GAUGE STARTED TO GO UP AND I COULD ALSO SMELL ANTI-FREEZE. I CHECKED THE RADIATOR AREA AND COULD FIND NO LEAK BUT WHEN I CHECKED THE COOLANT IT WAS LOW. I TOPPED OFF THE COOLANT AND A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER IT DID THE SAME THING. I THEN ADDED STOP-LEAK AND THE COOLANT LEVEL SEEMS TO BE STAYING BUT I CAN STILL SMELL THE ANTI-FREEZE AND THE WINDOWS FOG UP. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH GASKETS ON THE HEATER CORE. I AM WORRIED THE COOLANT LEAKED INTO MY VEHICLE IN THE AREA OF THE ECM. TO ME, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND MITSUBISHI SHOULD BE CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS VERY COMMON FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON-LINE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 23, 200877,000 milesMA

I BOUGHT MY CAR USED FROM THE DEALERSHIP, AND DROVE ABOUT 200 MILES BEFORE I REALIZED THE ANTIFREEZE SMELL AS WELL AS MY WINDOWS BEGAN TO FOG. AFTER READING THE VAST AMOUNT OF HEATER CORE PROBLEMS IN THE MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE, I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. ANTIFREEZE IN THE CAB OF THE CAR COLD LEAD TO HEALTH ISSUES AND THE CONSISTENT FOGGING OF THE WINDOWS CAN LEAD TO LITTLE TO NO VISIBILITY. THE WINDOWS WILL RANDOMLY BECOME INTENSELY GREASY WITH ANTIFREEZE BACKUP, THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME WHEN I AM DRIVING. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO MY VISIBILITY, AND AM GETTING MY EYES CHECKED OUT JUST INCASE THE ANTIFREEZE HAS AFFECTED THEM. THANK YOU *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Oct 9, 200875,000 milesPA

I BOUGHT A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE LS 10/3/07. HE HAD 53,000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS ABOUT 75,000 MILES. MY PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS HUNDREDS OF OWNER OF THIS CAR. HEATER CORE ISSUES. I RECENTLY HAD THE HEATER CORE GASKETS REPLACED AS I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS OK, STILL HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. IT IS NOW LEAKING AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND SEEMS THAT MITSUBUSHI IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. THE HEATER CORE IS RIGHT ABOVE THE COMPUTER THAT RUNS THE CAR. WHEN THE HEATER CORE GOES BAD, ITS LEAKS ON THE COMPUTER. WHAT KIND OF SENSE DOES THAT MAKE? MY ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON AND I HAVE SEEN THE TCL LIGHT COME ON AS WELL. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND ALL 3 OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON. I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS OR IF MITSUBUSHI HAS ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM AND I AM NOT AWARE OF. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE CAR OR GET A NEW. PLEASE HELP! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 31, 200820 milesNJ

I OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE CAR, I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 02 SINCE THE 1ST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR THERE WAS PROBLEMS. THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR WENT CRAZY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT,,CRUISE CONTROL,ANTI LOCK BRAKE, TCL LIGHT ALL STARTED FLASHING . I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER & THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER BUT IT DIDN'T WORK THEY PUT 3 COMPUTERS IN SINCE THEN, THESE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON TILL THIS DAY. IN 06 MY TRANS BLEW I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED MY TRANS THE CAR STILL DOESN'T RIDE RIGHT. MY A/C TURNS ON BUT NOTHING COMES OUT SOMETIMES. IN THE WINTER THE INSIDE OF MY CAR BECOMES A FOG ALL OVER MY WINDOWS AND IT WONT STOP FOGGING UP. A SMELL IS COMING OUT OF MY VENTS LIKE A COFFEE SMELL & IM INHALING THIS SMELL WHENEVER IM IN THE CAR I HAVE TO GO TO A DOCTOR TO GET CHECKED OUT TO SEE IF I HAVE HEALTH ISSUES .MY SUN ROOF LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS,I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE ALL THESE ISSUES FIXED BUT THEY NEVER DID I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 02 THE WARRANTY LASTED 02-05 B/C THAT IS WHEN MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. WHEN I CALL THEY TELL ME I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET B/C THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THIS ISN'T FAIR TO ANY MITSUBISHI OWNER I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED NOW AFTER THE WARRANTY WHEN ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN RECURRING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY NEVER FIXED IT TO BEGIN WITH. I CAN UNDERSTAND IF I WAS THE ONLY PERSON WITH THESE PROBLEMS I DECIDED TO SEARCH THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE OWNED MY MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR TO SEE IF

Structure
Filed Jun 16, 200875,000 milesPA

NOTICED FAINT SMELL OF ANTI FREEZE APPROXIMATELY 9 MONTHS AGO. HAD PROBLEMS WITH DEFROSTER CLEARING WINDOWS. ALSO, SEEMED TO GET BETTER (OR MAYBE I GOT USED TO THE SMELL). NOW NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR CARPET IS SOAKED WITH ANTI FREEZE. OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE HEATER CORE OR THE HOSE(S) WHICH CONNECT TO IT ARE LEAKING. CAR HAS 92000 MILES, AND IS WELL MAIN. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jun 9, 200863,000 milesPA

THE HEATER CORE. I START SMELLING AN ANTIFREEZE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR THEN THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO THE TCL IS ON. THE DEALER SAID THAT IT IS A WHEEL SENSOR THAT WILL RUN ME $625. THE HEATER CORE IS $1,200. EVERY ONE THAT I TALK TO ON THE EMAIL SIGHT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! THANKS. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Apr 21, 200858,000 milesNJ

STARTED SMELLING "MAPLE SYRUP" IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WINDOWS WERE FOGGING UP EASILY. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY DEALER TO BE THE HEATER CORE LEAKING ANTIFREEZE, AND SERVICE COST $1,100. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Apr 13, 2008TX

2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE HEATER CORE LEAKAGE. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Apr 8, 2008OR

THE WINDSHIELD FOGS UP FOR NO REASON AND I AM NOT ABLE TO DEFOG IT. IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE ANY TIME THE HEAT IS ON. I AM TOLD IT MAY BE THE HEATER CORE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 29, 200872,000 milesCA

TRANSMISSION RETAINING RINGS BRAKE AND JAM GEARS. CAR STOPPED IN INTERSECTION HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF ROAD AND TOWED TO SHOP REPLACED TRANSMISSION. WAS TOLD BY REPAIR PERSON THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MITSUBISHI KNEW WAS HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 8, 200867,800 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING, THE HEATER COIL WAS LEAKING, AND THE WINDOWS WERE STEAMING. THE CONTACT SMELLED A FOUL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,990.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Feb 3, 2008FL

WINDSHIELD FOG, SWEET SYRUP SMELL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jan 30, 200880,000 milesFL

I FOUND POSTINGS OF THE SAME HEATER CORE ISSUE. WINDSHIELD FOG AND THE AWFUL SYRUP SMELL OF ANITFREEZE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AS YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS DATING BACK TO 1995 OR EARLIER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS URGENT MATTER. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jan 26, 200865,000 milesSC

2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE 65K MILES. FAILURE OF HEATER CORE/ HEATER CORE GASKETS/ O-RINGS. WINDSHIELD WILL NOT DEFOG, STRONG COOLANT ODOR AND RESIDUE ON WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS. RESULTED IN DANGEROUSLY LOW VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. WINDSHIELD TOO FOGGY FOR SAFE DRIVING. STRONG SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE IN PASSENGER COMPT. HAD TO OPEN WINDOWS IN SUB FREEZING TEMP TO GET FRESH AIR TO PASSENGER COMPT WHILE DRIVING. COST TO REPAIR ESTIMATED $800-$1100. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD BASED ON COMPLAINTS FILED AT THIS NHTSA SITE AS SOME COMPLAINTS ARE CATEGORIZED UNDER DIFFERENT COMPONENT NAMES BUT HAVE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIPTIONS. GREATER THAN 60 COMPLAINTS BY MY COUNT FOR 2002 MODEL YEAR ALONE ON RELATIVELY LOW NUMBER OF VEHICLES SOLD IN US. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jan 25, 2008105,000 milesMO

MY HEATER CORE REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. A FEW WEEKS AGO MY WINDSHIELD BECAME HAZY AND DIFFICULT TO DEFROST. I DID NOT REALIZE IT WAS FROM TOXIC ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING INTO THE CAR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jan 23, 2008TX

HEATER CORE DEFECTIVE AND LEAKED COOLANT UNDERDASH ON TO TRANSMISSION ECM AND NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH. BECAUSE OF THIS VERY COMMON MANUFACTURE DEFECT I HAD TO HAVE MY HEATER CORE, TRANSMISSION ECM, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH REPLACE. AND MY TRANSMISSION REBUILD, NONE OF WHICH WERE WARRANTED BY THE MANUFACTURE AND WERE NOT CHEAP. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jan 17, 200858,000 milesFL

HEATER CORE - THE AIR THAT COMES OUT THE VENT WHEN I TURN MY HEATER ON, SMELLS LIKE ANTIFREEZE. MY WINDOWS FOG UP AND I WORK AT NIGHT. ITS KIND OF HARD TO KEEP WIPING DOWN THE WINDSHIELD CONSISTENTLY WITH MY HAND WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jan 15, 2008TX

HEATER CORE LEAKING INTO PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR, RELEASING COOLANT VAPOR INTO CAR CABIN. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jan 2, 2008100 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED LEAKAGE ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE FOG. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN A/C EVAPORATOR WAS CRACKED AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEATER CORE CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY HAVE REPLACED IT ON FIVE OCCASIONS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. AS A RESULT, THE VENTS WOULD DISPERSE ANTI-FREEZE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE HEATER OR DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED. AS OF JANUARY 2, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Dec 29, 200742,270 milesWV

02 DIAMANTE WITH APPROX 42, 000 ML - UPON STARTING THE CAR THE FRONT WINDOW BEGINS FOGGING UP AND THE ENTIRE CAR THEN FILLS WITH STEAM THAT IS SWEET BUT OVERWHELMING. IT GETS SO BAD IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THEN THE SMELL OVERWHELMS YOU WITHIN ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES FORCING THE DRIVER TO PULL OVER OR DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN (NOT EASY AT 18 DEG OUTSIDE AND 2 KIDS UNDER 5 IN THE BACK). SYMPTOMS INDICATE THAT THIS IS A HEATER CORE PROBLEM THAT DEALERS ARE AWARE OF AND IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY SEE APPROX 2-3 TIMES A MONTH WITH A CHARGE OF $1000.00 - $1400.00 TO FIX AND THAT IF NOT FIXED THEN THE MAIN COMPUTER FOR THE CAR WOULD SHORT OUT. SO JUST LOOKING AT 1 DEALER LOW END NUMBERS: 2 HEATER CORES PER MONTH * $1200= $2400*12MONTHS = $28,800 A YEAR PER DEALER FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM. ALSO MEDICALLY SPEAKING BREATHING ANTI-FREEZE MAY CAUSE IRRITATION OF THE NOSE AND THROAT WITH HEADACHE, PARTICULARLY FROM MISTS. HIGH VAPOR CONCENTRATIONS CAUSED, FOR EXAMPLE, BY HEATING THE MATERIAL IN AN ENCLOSED AND POORLY VENTILATED WORKPLACE, MAY PRODUCE NAUSEA, VOMITING, HEADACHE, DIZZINESS AND IRREGULAR EYE MOVEMENTS. FOR HEALTHY PEOPLE THIS IS PROBLEM WHAT ABOUT THOSE WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 123, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20043100Routine
200356200Routine
2002 — this page123302Fatalities reported
200178200Routine
200051300Routine
199923200Routine
199827100Routine
199734010Routine
199512000Routine
199427200Routine
199329310Routine
199242210Routine

Compare every Diamante year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 1, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.