1998 Mitsubishi DIAMANTE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
74,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 24 complaints (54.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
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 | 13 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Software | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Power Steering Fluid | 1 |
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core: 13; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Software: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.: 1; Seat Belts:Rear/Other: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Power Steering Fluid: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 6; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10037859 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
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-reported narrative. 69,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082271 · 2004-07-20 (July 20, 2004)
THIS IS A MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE 1998 ES. I'M EXPERIENCING PUNGENT SMELL OF ANTI-FREEZE INSIDE THE CAR AS SOON AS I TURN ON HEATING. THE DEALER I GOT THE PREOWNED CAR FROM WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS I CAN SHOW THEM THE LEAK IN HEATER CORE. ANTI-FREEZE CONTAINS ETHYLENE GLYCON AND THE FUMES ARE HIGHLY TOXIC. FIXING THE THE HEATER CORE WILL COST $1000. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT TO ASCERTAIN THAT THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE AND MITSUBISHI MOTORS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THREE MAIN RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS: (1) THE DEFECT E…
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088452 · 2004-08-23 (August 23, 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10088452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093396 · 2004-09-30 (September 30, 2004)
HEATER CORE PROBLEM. WINDOWS STARTED TO FOG UP AND VERY STRONG SMOKE TYPE ORDER FROM THE VENTS. COMPUTER WAS COVERED WITH BROWN BURNT SUBSTANCE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 52,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098067 · 2004-10-31 (October 31, 2004)
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-reported narrative. 56,231 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100757 · 2004-11-30 (November 30, 2004)
I OWN A PREOWNED 1998 MISTUBISHI DIAMANTE LS. WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL, PARTICULARLY THE HEATER IS ENGAGED, THE SMELL OF ANTI-FREEZE BECOMES QUITE APPARENT. DEALER CLAIMED 2 YEARS AGO WHEN I BOUGHT IT THAT IT WAS THE SMELL OF THE CHEMICALS USED TO CLEAN THE CAR DURING "MAKE-READY." ETHYLEN GLYCOL FUMES ARE TOXIC AND THIS IS A REOCCURING DEFECT IN THIS MODEL CAR FROM POSTS I HAVE SEEN ON VARIOUS WEBSITES. I WAS LATER TOLD THAT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WILL COST CLOSE TO $1000 SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MITSUBISH ISSUED A TSB ADDRESSING TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109306 · 2005-03-24 (March 24, 2005)
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-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10109306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10112060 · 2005-02-23 (February 23, 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-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112060 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V428000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2004-09-01 (September 1, 2004)
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.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗