2002 Mitsubishi DIAMANTE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
123 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
61,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 92 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core is the most frequently named component, appearing in 62 of 123 complaints (50.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 14 | 11.4% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 8.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.9% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 1.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.6% |
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 | 62 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 18 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 16 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Visibility | 4 |
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core: 62; Engine And Engine Cooling: 18; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 16; Electrical System: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 5; Power Train: 4; Visibility: 4
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 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 37 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 20 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 37; 75,000 to 99,999: 20; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (37). 31 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2006 | 26 |
| 2007 | 23 |
| 2008 | 25 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 6; 2005: 16; 2006: 26; 2007: 23; 2008: 25; 2009: 14; 2010: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 3; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 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 10019778 · 2003-05-13 (May 13, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLES WHEEL CAME OFF. THE BRAKE DRUM AND SOME OF THE AXLE WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED THE DRIVER TO RUN INTO A WALL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED BACK, NECK AND SIDE . THIS WAS REPORTED TO MITSUBISHI. *NLM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019778 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041278 · 2003-10-05 (October 5, 2003)
GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES, MAKE WINDING NOISE WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY LACK OF TIRE ROTATION, I HAVE ROTATED THIS TIRES EVERY 6,000 MILES, SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER THE CAR HAD ABOUT 2,000 MILES, CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RESOLVED, VEHICLE HAS 24,000 MILES, IT CAME WITH 36,000 MILES BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. I THOUGHT THAT WHEN YOU BUY A NEW CAR THE TIRES ARE ALSO UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY, BUT EVIDENTLY THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO H…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041278 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064425 · 2004-04-02 (April 2, 2004)
HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF FOR A SPLIT SECOND WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT DOES THIS WHEN THE AC SYSTEM KICKS IN. LIGHTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE DIM AS WELL. THIS HAPPENS AT BOTH IDLE AND HIGH RPM. A VOLT METER SHOWS A LARGE VOLTAGE SPIKE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR IS NOT RESPONDING FAST ENOUGH TO PICK UP THE VOLTAGE. HAVE WORKED FOR OVER A YEAR WITH MITSUBISHI TO ATTEMPT TO GET THIS RESOLVED. THEIR MECHANICS AT 2 DEALERSHIPS SAY THAT THE PROBLEM ISN'T NORMAL UNTIL THEY DON'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THEN THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066805 · 2004-04-08 (April 8, 2004)
WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 25 MPH VEHICLE LOST BRAKE POWER. THEN, THE BRAKES MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED FRONT LEFT TIRE HIT A CURB, AND THE AXLE AND RIM BROKE. CONSUMER HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072280 · 2004-07-26 (July 26, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *AK IT WAS LATER DETERMINED BY THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN THAT THE ETACS SYSTEMS FAILED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 21,076 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103809 · 2004-12-15 (December 15, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE. VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. ALSO, WAS TOLD THEY REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103973 · 2004-12-16 (December 16, 2004)
NOXIOUS ODOR COMING OUT OF VENTS INSIDE CAR. WINDOWS NOT CLEARING WITH DEFROSTERS ON AND SMOKE SWIRLING AROUND LOWER WINDSHIELD. TOOK TO DEALER, PAID $704 FOR REPAIR. WHEN ENTERED CAR TO LEAVE DEALERSHIP, SAME PROBLEM EXISTED. LEFT CAR WITH DEALER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10103973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104806 · 2004-12-30 (December 30, 2004)
MY WIFE NOTICED LITTLE CLOUDS OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS WHEN THE HAETER/DEFROSTER WAS TURNED ON, WE COULD ALSO SMELL SOMETHING THAT SMELLED LIKE SYURP OR ANTIFREEZE. THE WINDOWS DO NOT DEFROST ANYMORE, WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I AM TOLD THAT THIS MOST LIKELY FROM A BROKEN HEATER CORE. IF NOT REPLACED ANTIFREEZE CAN LEAK INTO THE CARS COMPUTER, WHICH COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BY SHUTTING DOWN THE ENTIRE CAR. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $400-$1000. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE SOMETHING C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10104806 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V100001 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Reported: 2002-04-07 (April 7, 2002)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE MAIN UNDER HOOD ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ENGINE CONTROL HARNESS AND THE EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD. AS A RESULT, THE HARNESS COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD, WHICH COULD RESULT IN MELTING OF THE HARNESS INSULATION.
Consequence: THE MELTING OF THE HARNESS INSULATION COULD RESULT IN GROUNDING OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WIRING, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RUN ERRATICALLY OR STOP SUDDENLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HARNESS FOR DAMAGE AND, IF NONE IS EVIDENT, WILL TIE THE HARNESS BACK TO PREVENT THE HARNESS FROM EVER COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD. ANY HARNESS THAT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE WILL BE REPAIRED AS NECESSARY AND THEN TIED BACK TO PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 13, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V067000 · Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual
Reported: 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
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.
Consequence: IF THE TETHER STRAP IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TO THE TETHER ANCHOR, THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT RESTRAINED. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD COULD BE INJURED.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗