1998 Mitsubishi Diamante: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern visibility.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“We just cleared canadian customs at blaine wa, pacific crossing, and were accelerating to speed limit on I 5 freeway when the car accelerated to near 100 miles an hour. The tach at some point was 7500 and increasing. The accelerator was stuck and eventually we were able to get to the emergency lane area and turned of the ignition key. Full pressure on the brakes would not slow it down much. *tr we were towed 21 miles to davis automotive in bellingham, wa, where a replacement throttle cable and associated structure was severely bent and the cable had cut thru it and stuck. *mec the consumer had the vehicle towed where a replacement throttle cable was installed. Updated 10/10/08. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2008
“This is the second time the heater core has started to leak. It was replaced 40k miles ago and I was charged $ 1,000 for repair costs. Having researched this, it is due to faulty heater core gaskets which mitsubishi replaced the defective gaskets with a redesigned one. The car is undrivable due to the toxic fumes from the ethylene glycol coming out of all the vents and I do not have the money to get it repaired. Mitsubishi refuses to do anything about it, and nearly every diamante on the road has had this happen. The carpet is ruined from the coolant leak as well, and many have had the ecu for the transmission fail due to coolant leaking on it. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2008
“Everytime the heater is switched on, I can feel a weird smell which will last for about 10 mins. This smell seems like suffocating and have to open the windows for the fresh air to enter. There is some kind of leak in the engine compartment, I am not sure where the leak is from. I am bit worried abt the smell. Thanks *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Failure of heater core gaskets resulting in fumes inside the car from anti-freeze; this is the 2nd time this has happened with this vehicle in the last 35,000 miles and the repair labor is estimated at 6 hours, which is around $1,000. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2006
“1998 mitsubishi diamante heater core leaking fogging windshield during freeway travel. Hazard to health with while operation auto. *nm”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2005
“Windows fog up and cannot be cleared by the defroster. Very strong smell of anti-freeze inside the car. Smokey vapors come out of the heating vents. I'm having difficulty breathing while driving my car, and believe the cause of my nausea and headache is due to breathing anti-freeze vapors. Stain on passenger side of carpet. All these symptoms indicate a heater core problem.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2005
“1998 mitsubishi diamante. Coolant leak from heater core o ring failure. Coolant leaking into passenger compartment causing eye and throat irritation, fogging of windows causing poor visibility. Leaking onto key car electronics which could cause other car components to fail without warning. Heater core o ring was replaced at 55,000 miles at a cost of $560.00. Now at 106,000miles leaking has started again and mitsubishi wants $650.00 to fix with no guarantee that fix is permanent. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2004
“While driving consumer smelled a bad odor coming from the heater core. Heater system was leaking coolant. This happened three times. The seal had to be replaced. *ak the vehicle's heater core and refrigerant were replaced. *nm”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2004
“This is the second time since december 2003 that the accelerator stuck while in reverse and the brakes failed, causing property damage and injuries. This is very dangerous and I thank god that no little kids were killed!!! The first time it happened I called mitsubishi and reported the problem and never got a response.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2004
“Rear passenger side shoulder belt buckle could not be unlatched. This caused child to be locked in the seat belt and unable to move. Seat belt had to be cut near the waistline area to free the child. *ak *nlm”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Diamante by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Mitsubishi Diamante reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1998 Mitsubishi Diamante. The most complained-about area is visibility.
Does the 1998 Mitsubishi Diamante have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.