RoadVitals

1997 Mitsubishi Diamante Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
34
Latest Jul 7, 2008
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes1532.6%
  • Engine48.7%
  • Fuel system36.5%
  • Visibility36.5%
  • Driver assistance24.3%
  • Electrical24.3%
  • Seat belts24.3%
  • Tires & wheels24.3%
  • Interior & seats12.2%
  • Body & structure12.2%
  • Steering12.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE MADE 5 TRIPS BACK TO THE DEALER DUE TO BRAKES, TIRES & ENGINE TAPPING AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING. *AK (DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRESIZE: P21560R16)

NHTSA ID 752292 · filed Sep 17, 2001

WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM WHEEL, AND BRAKES DO NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 879060 · filed Jan 25, 2001
All 15 reports naming brakes

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SAFETY - TRANSMISSION: AT 9,500 MILES MY CAR STARTED LURCHING WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS FROM A STOP. IT SUPPOSEDLY WAS REPAIRED BUT HAS CONTINUED TO BE PROBLEM AND EACH TIME I BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE THE DEALER CAN NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. SINCE I HAD NOT HEARD THAT THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, I THOUGHT IT MUST BE SOMETHING THAT I HAD DONE. UPON REVIEWING THE INFORMATION OF NHSTA, I REALIZE THAT THE DEALERS AND MITSUBISHI ARE DELIBERATELY HIDING THIS PROBLEM. SAFETY - FUEL TANK: MY FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING AT 59,560 MILES AND WHEN THE DEALER REMOVED IT HAD 3 STRESS WHOLES. THE TANK HAD TO BE SENT OUT FOR WELDING. OF COURSE, I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH I SPOKE DIRECTLY TO THE MITSUBISHI COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT. SINCE IT WAS NOT A RECALL ITEM, MITSUBISHI OR THE DEALER WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE DANGEROUS FUEL LEAK IS ANOTHER ONGOING HIDDEN PROBLEM. ALTERNATOR PULLEY: HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE FROM THE BEGINNING AND I HAVE COMPLAINED EACH SERVICE. NOW, I DISCOVER THROUGH NHTSA THAT ALTERNATOR PULLEY IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. MITSUBISHI AND THEIR DEALERS MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.*AK

NHTSA ID 758506 · filed Feb 22, 2002

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE MADE 5 TRIPS BACK TO THE DEALER DUE TO BRAKES, TIRES & ENGINE TAPPING AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING. *AK (DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRESIZE: P21560R16)

NHTSA ID 752292 · filed Sep 17, 2001
All 10 reports naming transmission

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE HEATER CORE GOING OUT. MINE WENT OUT A FEW DAYS AGO AND WAS INFORMED BY MITSUBISHI IT WILL COST ME 965 TO REPLACE. EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM INCLUDING WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE AS LOW AS 30-45K ON THEIR VEHICLE. PLEASE LOOK AT THIS FORUM WHICH SHOW MANY MITSUBISHI OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR VEHICLE.. HTTP://WWW.DIAMANTEOWNERS.COM/FORUM/LOFIVERSION/INDEX.PHP?T3615-0.HTML PLEASE HELP ME AND HELP THESE POOR OWNERS. RECALL THIS MAJOR ERROR MISTUBISHI KNOWS ABOUT BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND KEEP SILENT. THIS ALSO CAN CAUSE DEATH BECAUSE WHEN THE HEATER CORE FAILS IT LEAKS AND CAUSES A BAD ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE. YOU WOULDN'T WANT YOUR KIDS BREATHING ON THAT WOULD YOU. ON THE WEBSITE I HAVE PROVIDED YOU IT WILL SHOW A CASE IN WHICH A PERSON WENT INTO RESPIRATORY FAILURE DO TO INHALING ANTI FREEZE.. MANY OF THESE OWNERS TILL THIS DAY FACE A DANGER BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE THESE VEHICLES AS IT IS THERE ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND MANY CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS EXPENSIVE PROBLEM (COSTING AS MUCH AS 1,300). WE BEG OF ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE THAT HAD MADE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLES LIVES, SAFETY AND SECURITY TO HELP US DIAMANTE OWNERS THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS *TR

NHTSA ID 10215505 · filed Jan 21, 2008

HEATER CORE RANDOMLY CRACKED ONE DAY, CAUSING A TEAR-LIKE SPILL OF ANTI-FREEZE THROUGH THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR. CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WE TRIED WELDING THE CRACKS. ANTI-FREEZE STILL SPILLED OUT AND ANTI-FREEZE SMELL CAME IN THROUGH AIR EVENTS AND THE LIQUID ALSO BURNED, CAUSING SMOKE TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *AK

NHTSA ID 10193546 · filed Jun 17, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: CONSUMER HAD 1997 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER,. VEHICLE HAD A GAS LEAK, DEALER COULD NOT FIND HOLE IN GAS TANK, CONSUMER REPLACED GAS TANK, ABOUT 8 MONTHS AFTER GAS TANK WAS REPLACED THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. *AK

NHTSA ID 10124674 · filed Jun 9, 2005

SAFETY - TRANSMISSION: AT 9,500 MILES MY CAR STARTED LURCHING WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS FROM A STOP. IT SUPPOSEDLY WAS REPAIRED BUT HAS CONTINUED TO BE PROBLEM AND EACH TIME I BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE THE DEALER CAN NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. SINCE I HAD NOT HEARD THAT THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, I THOUGHT IT MUST BE SOMETHING THAT I HAD DONE. UPON REVIEWING THE INFORMATION OF NHSTA, I REALIZE THAT THE DEALERS AND MITSUBISHI ARE DELIBERATELY HIDING THIS PROBLEM. SAFETY - FUEL TANK: MY FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING AT 59,560 MILES AND WHEN THE DEALER REMOVED IT HAD 3 STRESS WHOLES. THE TANK HAD TO BE SENT OUT FOR WELDING. OF COURSE, I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH I SPOKE DIRECTLY TO THE MITSUBISHI COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT. SINCE IT WAS NOT A RECALL ITEM, MITSUBISHI OR THE DEALER WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE DANGEROUS FUEL LEAK IS ANOTHER ONGOING HIDDEN PROBLEM. ALTERNATOR PULLEY: HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE FROM THE BEGINNING AND I HAVE COMPLAINED EACH SERVICE. NOW, I DISCOVER THROUGH NHTSA THAT ALTERNATOR PULLEY IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. MITSUBISHI AND THEIR DEALERS MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.*AK

NHTSA ID 758506 · filed Feb 22, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR LEAKED DUE TO THE HEATER CORE. THE RADIATOR LEAKED ONTO THE CARPET WHEN THE HEAT WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE INHALED TOXIC FUMES FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKING ONTO THE CARPET AND THEY ARE CONCERNED OF FUTURE HEALTH RISKS. IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE LEAK, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAD TO BE REMOVED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ID 10217732 · filed Feb 11, 2008

REAR VIEW MIRROR FAILURE.

NHTSA ID 538502 · filed Jul 28, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IN REVERSE GEAR ,BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE. BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE, DID NOT STO VEHICLE.CONSUMER HAD TO THROW THE VEHICLE INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP. *AK

NHTSA ID 835374 · filed Mar 1, 1999

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED DURING REPAIRS, AND THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES REVVS HIGH AND THEN DIES OUT. ALSO, IT IS SOMETIMES VERY HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE,. THE DEALERS CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 825511 · filed Jul 16, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LOUD WINDING NOISE FROM ALTERNATOR PULLEY, TOOK CAR TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE CENTER THAT THE PULLEY IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE OR REQUIRED. A NEW DESIGN AND BELT WAS IMPLEMENTED ON THE NEW MODELS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. A NEW BELT IS REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON THE OLD MODELS. THE NEW BELT WILL NOT GO AROUND THE PULLEY AND THE PULLEY WILL NOT BE USED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT. IS THE CONSUMER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE NEW BELT AND LABOR TO PUT IT ON. THIS NEW BELT WAS NOT PART OF THE 1997 MODELS. I THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR! IT IS A DEFECT. THE PULLEY IS NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT IS THE PROBLEM PART.

NHTSA ID 725852 · filed Jul 23, 2000

HESITATION BETWEEN GEARS DUE TO ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILURE.

NHTSA ID 533877 · filed Apr 8, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN EXITING VEHICLE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER ADJUSTED THE BELTS, PROBLEM STILL OCCUR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK THE BRAKES MAKE NOISE DUE TO FRONT PADS WEAR AND FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPING. THE TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS OCCASINALY WHEN TAKING OFF AND WAS REPLACED WITH NEW ONE. *YH

NHTSA ID 870102 · filed Sep 11, 2000

WHEN REMOVING CHILD FROM THE INTEGRAL CHILD SAFEYY SEAT SHOUDLER HARNESS LOCKED UP. HARNESS GOT TIGHTER AND TIGHTER AROUND CHILD'S CHEST. PARENT HAD TO CUT THE HARNNES STRAP(S) TO REMOVED THE CHILD. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURE WAS LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

NHTSA ID 867707 · filed Aug 14, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER LIFELINER CLASSIC II TIRES, SIZE 115/60/15. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SPONTANEOUSLY BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS NORMAL AND THAT THE TREAD DEPTH WAS 8/32. AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRE, AN OFFICER CONCLUDED THAT THE TREAD WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE CHUNKS OF THE TREAD WERE MISSING AND WIRES WERE HANGING OUT OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/16/08. *JB

NHTSA ID 10233373 · filed Jul 7, 2008

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE MADE 5 TRIPS BACK TO THE DEALER DUE TO BRAKES, TIRES & ENGINE TAPPING AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING. *AK (DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRESIZE: P21560R16)

NHTSA ID 752292 · filed Sep 17, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW LEAKING/DOOR LOCKS FREEZING AND THE REAR VIEW MIRROW FALLING OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MIRROR, AND IT'S KNOWN THAT THE IN 98 MODELS REAR VIEW MIRRORS ARE MOUNTED TO THE ROOF CONSOLE. AS A RESULT OF 97 DEFECTS, DOOR LOCKS FREEZE IN THE OPEN POSITION WHEN CONSUMER GETS IN THE CAR AND CLOSES THE DOOR IN BELOW 25 DEGREE TEMPERATURE. THE DOOR WILL NOT BE CLOSED DUE TO FREEZING OF THE LOCKS. THE WINDOWS LEAKS AFTER WASHING VEHICLE OR IF IT RAINS. THE WATER STAYS INSIDE THE CAR IF THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING, CAUSING THE WINDOWS AND LOCKS TO FREEZE. DEALERS HAVE NOT REMEDIED THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAS HYAPPENED 3 TIMES MONDAY JANUARY 12, 98. THE FIRST TIME AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA ID 820721 · filed Jan 16, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK DECK OF MY 1997 DIAMANTE IS FADING WITH WHITE PATCHES. THE HOOD AND BODY PAINT LOOKS GOOD AS NEW. I WAXED MY VEHICLE AT LEAST 3 TIMES A YEAR. IS THIS A DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY I HAVE NOTICE SEVERAL SIMILAR MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM? *JB

NHTSA ID 10137204 · filed Sep 21, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID 754919 · filed Nov 26, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .