1997 Mitsubishi Diamante Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
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%
- Transmission1021.7%
- 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.
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)
WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM WHEEL, AND BRAKES DO NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
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
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)
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
REAR VIEW MIRROR FAILURE.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
HESITATION BETWEEN GEARS DUE TO ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILURE.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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)
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.
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
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.
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .