2003 Mitsubishi DIAMANTE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
56 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
57,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 44 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 56 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 24 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Visibility | 3 |
| Equipment | 2 |
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core: 24; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 3; Tires: 3; Visibility: 3; Equipment: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 5; 2005: 8; 2006: 8; 2007: 17; 2008: 7; 2009: 1; 2010: 5; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10117994 · 2005-04-17 (April 17, 2005)
VEHICLE FRONT END SHIFTS BACK AND FORTH WHEN BEHIND TRACTOR TRAILERS ON HIGHWAY. SITUATION IS DANGEROUS WHEN TRACTOR TRAILER PULLS OUT IN FRONT OF ME. NOT DUE TO TAILGATING, SINCE IT IS THE WORST WHEN APPROXIMATELY 5 CAR LENGTHS ARE BETWEEN TRACTOR TRAILER AND ME. CAR IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DUE TO SHIFTING. FRONT END WAS CHECKED AND THERE ARE NO ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS, AND TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. SHIFTING CONTINUES TO OCCUR EVEN WITH TRACTION CONTROL TURNED OFF. AERODYNAMICS PROBLEM OR VEHICLE STABILITY PROBLEM? ALSO OWN A 1998 DIAMANTE T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10117994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10154930 · 2006-04-10 (April 10, 2006)
STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VISIBLE FUMES BEGAN ENTERING VEHICLE THROUGH AIR VENTS. THERE WAS A STRONG STENCH OF ANTI-FREEZE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO CONTROL. AFTER TAKING CAR TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP, I WAS IMMEDIATELY TOLD, EVEN BEFORE AN INSPECTION WAS DONE, THAT THE HEATER CORE ON VEHICLE HAD A SLOW LEAK THAT OVER THE COURSE OF "SEVERAL MONTHS" THAT EVENTUALLY LEAKED ON TO THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRIC BOX AND SHORTED OUT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. IT SEEMED OBVIOUS THAT THIS WAS A FAMILIAR ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10154930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072858 · 2004-05-19 (May 19, 2004)
I HAVE A NEW 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE, WHICH IVE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES NOW WITH THE SAME TWO ISSUES: THE FRONT BREAKS MAKE NOISE AND MY STEARING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN I BRAKE AND THE CHECK ENGINE SERVICE SOON LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON.*AK ONE OF THE DEALERS EMPLOYEES TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKES ISSUES WAS VERY COMMON AS SOMETIMES THE CARS SIT FOR A LONG TIME IN A LOT BEFORE THEY ARE SOLD. THIS DOES NOT MAKE FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT THIS MOMENT. THE DEALER WILL FIX THE LIGHT AND BRAKE ISSUE ASSURING ME THAT ITS ALL FINE N…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072858 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082556 · 2004-07-23 (July 23, 2004)
2003 DIAMANTE PURCHASED IN OCT 2003. VEHICLE VIBRATED "HORRIBLY" WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VIBRATION/LOUD HIGHWAY TIRE NOISE. BOTH REAR TIRES "CUP". ALSO, RUBBING SOUND R/F WHEEL AREA WHEN TURNING. DESPITE SEVEN (7) ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR BY DEALER THIS CONDITION PERSISTS. ONGOING CONDITION. MANUFACTURING REP OFFERS TO PUT ON THIRD NEW SET OF TIRES IN 30K MILES; YET STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES ON DIAMANTES. WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO EMPLOY AN ATTORNEY TO GO THE ROUTE OF I…
Owner-reported narrative. 773 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082556 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117995 · 2005-04-17 (April 17, 2005)
CAR DOORS ARE LOCKING BY THEMSELVES, THE ALARM FOR KEYS BEING LEFT IN THE IGNITION NO LONGER SOUNDS, THE AUTOMATIC UNLOCK WHEN KEYS LEFT IN THE IGNITION NO LONGER WORKS, AND THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND DOOR OPENED. HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO KEYS LOCKED IN THE CAR, AND A DEAD BATTERY DUE TO HEADLIGHTS BEING LEFT ON.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10117995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182516 · 2007-02-13 (February 13, 2007)
VARIOUS INTERMITTENT FAILURES TO INCLUDE, CAR LOCKING ON ITS OWN, HEADLIGHTS NOT GOING OUT WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF, CAR NOT DINGING WHEN KEYS LEFT IN IGNITION, AND WINDOW FUSE BEING BLOWN WHEN WINDOWS ARE NOT BEING RAISED OR LOWERED. HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER AND AN ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST. BOTH HAVE SAID THEY CAN'T FIX IT SINCE THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10182516 at NHTSA ↗