2003 Mitsubishi DIAMANTE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10043641 · 2003-10-27 (October 27, 2003)
2003/MITSUBISHI/DIAMANTE VR-X ON OCT 18 2003 I GOT MY NEW CAR AND IT HAS BEEN SHAKING AT ALL TIMES IT WAS IN ON MONDAY 20 TUESDAY 21 WEDNESDAY 22 FROM 22 OF OCT TO 27 I AM STILL NOT DRIVING MY CAR I HAV NO SEEN IT AND MY SHAKING IT STILL NOT FIXED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 12 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043641 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 10079082 · 2004-06-30 (June 30, 2004)
THE FACTORY TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE BAD. I HAVE GOTTEN 3 FLAT TIRES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. THEY WEAR DOWN EXTREMELY FAST AND BLOW OUT VERY EASILY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10079082 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 10083344 · 2004-08-30 (August 30, 2004)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ROTORS AND PADS MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB THE CONSUMER FOUND NOTHING APPARENTLY WRONG BEFORE THE PARTS WERE DISCARDED. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101395 · 2004-11-19 (November 19, 2004)
WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT BURNED. CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF THE DEFECT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 27,768 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111321 · 2005-02-10 (February 10, 2005)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE HEATER COIL. ANTI-FREEZE WAS GETTING INTO VENT, AND THE VAPORS FOGGED UP THE WINDOWS, INTERRUPTING THE VISIBILITY. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO REFUSED ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 47,773 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114500 · 2005-03-22 (March 22, 2005)
WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, THE CAR SHAKES AND JERKS UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAVE HAD WORK DONE ON THE ROTORS AS WELL AS THE BRAKES. I HAVE FOUR NEW TIRES, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. I AM AFRAID THAT ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR THE BRAKES WILL FAIL AND CAUSE MY FAMILY AND I SERIOUS INJURY . THIS IS A 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE, AND THE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED DAILY 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114500 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗