2003 Mitsubishi Diamante: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 56 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (43% of complaints).
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 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi diamante equipped with cooper cs3 tires (na). While driving 25 mph, air from the vehicle's front driver side tire began to be released. The contact pulled the vehicle into a fuel station/repair shop where the tire was replaced. The contact took the vehicle to the independent mechanic that sold him the tires. The tires were measured and the contact was informed that each of them needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The tire size was unknown. The approximate tire failure mileage was 198,000 and the vehicle failure mileage was 216,242.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi diamante. The contact stated that the heater core fluid leaked onto the central computer and caused the transmission to fail. In addition, the gear shifter could not be released from third gear. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 164,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi diamante. The contact stated the vehicle was consuming excessive amounts of fuel and she was concerned the vehicle would prematurely run out of fuel while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was told that the intake air temperature sensor would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 70,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2011
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“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi diamante. The contact stated he noticed an unusual odor of coolant and the neutral indicator began sporadically illuminating. Upon further inspection, the contact found coolant leaking onto the floorboard. In addition, the vehicle would intermittently fail to start. The dealer performed a diagnostic test and determined the failure was caused by the a.t. Control relay and produced code p1751. The vehicle was not repaired and the VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were approximately 60,000. Updated 10/27/10. *lj”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2010
“Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). This concerns my 2003 mitsubishi diamante. It has less than 50,000 miles on it and it has suddenly started spewing a light film on the inside of my front windshield so that I cannot see well...and not at all when I am headed into the sun. I have checked on the internet and a lot of people are having the same problem with mitsubishi diamantes going back several model years. All diamantes need to be recalled and the heater core and/or its o rings fixed or replaced. If this doesn't happen, people will die when they suddenly cannot see the road through their front windshield. [xxx] *tr *dt”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2010
“I have a 2003 mitsubishi diamante with 60,000 plus miles. For the past several months I have noticed a strong smell of anti-freeze coming from the vents and the windows constantly fogging up, sometimes to the point that I cannot see to drive. I have read many similar complaints and agree with others that mitsubishi needs to issue a recall for the heater core, as I am sure this is the problem. I have yet to take mine in to get it repaired, so I don't have a cost quote at this time. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2010
“Anti-freeze leak on carpet passenger side near firewall fogged up windows check engine light comes on and off due to the leak the ecu started working awful. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2009
“Tl- the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi diamante. The contact stated that the neutral light on the vehicle started flashing on and off and he noticed a smell of coolant. He noticed that the coolant was leaking onto the floorboard of the vehicle. The failure progresses until the vehicle will not start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the owner was advised the failure was the a.t. Control relay. Code p-1751. The failure has not been repaired. The current and failure mileage is approximately 60,000. Rd”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2008
“Heater core leakage causing smoke and antifreeze odor to come out of car vents and underneath dash board (passenger side). There is a risk of accident, personal injury, or death because use of a/c, heater, and defrost is not available when windshields and windows fog up. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2008
“My transmission relay went out due to a leak heater core. The core has been leaking for some time and has fogged my windows so bad I could not see at times, having to pull over and wipe off the film. This is a serious problem with these cars. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante reliable?
NHTSA has 56 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante. The most complained-about area is visibility (43% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have 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.