2002 Mitsubishi Diamante

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2004· VISIBILITY

  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 CAN BE DONE TO FIX THIS SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION. *AK

• 12/30/2002· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLOWOUT. PLEASE PROVIDE THE SIZE AND DOT#. DEALER NOTIFIED. TX

• 12/29/2007· VISIBILITY

  02 DIAMANTE WITH APPROX 42, 000 ML - UPON STARTING THE CAR THE FRONT WINDOW BEGINS FOGGING UP AND THE ENTIRE CAR THEN FILLS WITH STEAM THAT IS SWEET BUT OVERWHELMING. IT GETS SO BAD IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THEN THE SMELL OVERWHELMS YOU WITHIN ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES FORCING THE DRIVER TO PULL OVER OR DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN (NOT EASY AT 18 DEG OUTSIDE AND 2 KIDS UNDER 5 IN THE BACK). SYMPTOMS INDICATE THAT THIS IS A HEATER CORE PROBLEM THAT DEALERS ARE AWARE OF AND IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY SEE APPROX 2-3 TIMES A MONTH WITH A CHARGE OF $1000.00 - $1400.00 TO FIX AND THAT IF NOT FIXED THEN THE MAIN COMPUTER FOR THE CAR WOULD SHORT OUT. SO JUST LOOKING AT 1 DEALER LOW END NUMBERS: 2 HEATER CORES PER MONTH * $1200= $2400*12MONTHS = $28,800 A YEAR PER DEALER FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM. ALSO MEDICALLY SPEAKING BREATHING ANTI-FREEZE MAY CAUSE IRRITATION OF THE NOSE AND THROAT WITH HEADACHE, PARTICULARLY FROM MISTS. HIGH VAPOR CONCENTRATIONS CAUSED, FOR EXAMPLE, BY HEATING THE MATERIAL IN AN ENCLOSED AND POORLY VENTILATED WORKPLACE, MAY PRODUCE NAUSEA, VOMITING, HEADACHE, DIZZINESS AND IRREGULAR EYE MOVEMENTS. FOR HEALTHY PEOPLE THIS IS PROBLEM WHAT ABOUT THOSE WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS. *TR

• 12/28/2006· VISIBILITY

  WINDOWS FOGGED UP, MAPLE SYRUP SMELL COMING FROM HEATER. RESPIRATORY SICKNESS AFTER INCIDENT. *NM

• 12/17/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY

  MY FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS FOGGING UP EVERY TIME I USED THE HEATER AND A SMELL OF COOLANT INSIDE MY CAR--NASTY FILM WAS LEFT, FOUND OUT IT WAS A HEATER CORE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES THE FOG WOULD TAKE 20 MINUTES TO CLEAR UP WITH DEFROSTER ON HIGHEST SETTINGS. THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH MITSUBISHI DIAMANTES. I AM SURPRISED THAT THESE HAVE NEVER BEEN RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR

• 12/16/2004· VISIBILITY

  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

• 12/15/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE HEATER CORE OF THE 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND/OR REDESIGNED BY MITSUBISHI. AS IT IS, JUST ABOUT EVERY SINGLE POST I SEE ONLINE ABOUT THIS CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE HEATER IS POSITIONED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE CAR'S COMPUTER , OR ECU , AND THEREFORE CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, SUSPENSION, ETC.. THE ENTIRE 80-PAGE THREAD LINKED BELOW IS ALMOST COMPLETELY ABOUT THIS ISSUE : HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_76426.HTML THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE IT. THE ISSUE IS MENTIONED IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS BY MITSUBISHI BUT IS NOT RECALLED. PEOPLE ARE BUYING THIS CAR USED AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE (AROUND $1200 REPAIR). *TR

• 12/15/2006· VISIBILITY

  HEATER CORE IN '02 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE LEAKED CAUSING WINDOWS TO FOG AND ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *JB

• 12/15/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 12/14/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VENTS STARTED TO STEAM AND ANTIFREEZE CAME THROUGH WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND HAVE IT TOWED.*AK

• 12/09/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  HEATER CORE AND O RINGS. *TR

• 12/09/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ABS CONTROL MODULE. *TR

• 12/06/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY

  THE HEATER CORE IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE WINDOWS IN THE CAR FOG UP SO BAD I COULDNT DRIVE THE CAR...HAD TO PULL OVER AND WIPE THE WINDOWS DOWN. BUT THE THING IS...I DIDNT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEMS WAS...UNTIL I REALIZED THE WINDOWS WERENT JUST BEING FOGGED BY THE COLD, ECT IT WAS A TOXIC MIST FROM A HEATER CORE PROBLEM...I PULLED OVER 2 TIMES BECAUSE I GOT SICK...I NOTICED A MIST COMING OUT OF THE VENTS....SO ALL IN ALL I CALLED MITSUBISHI AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS.THIS HEATER CORE PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS, SICKNESS, AND OTHE EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS IN THE CAR! THE FUMES ARE EXTREMELY TOXIC!!! THERE ARE 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS AND BLOGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM...I'M SURE THERE ARE 100,000+ COMPLAINTS ABPOUT THIS PROBLEM. AND MITSUBISHI REFUSES TO HELP OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I TOLD THEM, IS THIS GONNA TAKE A FATAL ACCIDENT FOR THEM TO DO SOMETHING?" THEY REPLIED, "IM NOT ANSWERING THAT!" I TOLD THEM THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS PROBLEM. THEY REPLIED, "SORRY BUT YOUR WARRANTY IS UP WE CAN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT IT." THIS HEATER CORE PROBLEMS LEADS TO FAULTY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, HAZERDOUS PROBLEMS, SICKNESS, INTERIOR OF THE CAR CAN BE RUINED BECAUSE ANITFREEZE LEAKS THROUGH THE DASH BOARD...WHERE MITSUBISHI PLACED THE HEATER CORE. MADE NO SENSE TO PLACE A HEATER CORE ABOVE THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THEY REALLY MESSED UP HERE AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I THINK THAT THE MEDIA SHOULD GET INVOLVED BECAUSE THEY PROBABLY WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IF SOMEONE DOESNT SPEAK UP! *TR

• 12/06/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  AT APPROX 60K (I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER) THE CAR BEGAN TO EMIT MIST FROM THE VENTS. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS A NEAR OVERHEATING EVENT WHICH CAUSED ME TO CHECK THE COOLANT. AFTER TOPPING OFF THE LEVEL THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN REPEATED THE BEHAVIOR. THE TCL WENT OFF, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE MIST GOT HEAVIER, AND THE CAR IS A DANGER TO BOTH MYSELF AS AN OPERATOR AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE FOG FROM THE ANTIFREEZE DAMAGES VISIBILITY. THE FLOOR MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS ALSO GATHERED MOISTURE FROM THE APPARENT LEAK. THIS SCENARIO IS WELL DOCUMENTED BY OTHERS AND DEMANDS A RECALL. *TR

• 12/02/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT A BOTTOM ENGINE NOISE, AFTER A QUICK INSPECTION THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIS MANAGER OF A SUPPOSED RAPID LEAK OF OIL, RESULTING IN DAMAGE OF PARTS. I EXPLIANED TO THE MANAGER THAT I'VE OWN THE CAR SINCE NEW AND THERE NEVER BEEN AN OIL LEAK BECAUSE IM THE ONE WHO HAVE DONE THE OIL CHANGE FOR THE PAST 2 YRS, THAT THE GREASE HE SUPPOSED IS OIL IS THE AMOROLE ACUMULATING UNDER THE CAR FROM RECENT DETAILING DONE BY MYSELF. THE MANAGER CONTACTED THE WARRANTY AND WITHOUT HEARING AN EXPLANATION OR CLOSELY INSPECTING THE CAR THE DECIDED THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE FIXED. *AK

• 11/29/2007· VISIBILITY

  FALL OF 2007, NOTICED INCREASED FOGGING OF WINDOWS THAT DID NOT GO AWAY WITH DEFROSTER, FRESH AIR. BEGAN TO SMELL SWEET, SYRUPY SMELL. NOVEMBER 07, HEAT REFUSED TO WORK, CHECKED ANTIFREEZE LEVEL, VERY LOW. WINDOWS CONTINUING TO NOT BE CLEARED. OILY FILM COVERING WINDOWS. CURRENTLY, I HAVE NOT HAD COMPLETE FAILURE OF HEATER OR COMPUTER MODULE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE DIAMANTE OWNERS WEB SITE. MY PROBLEMS MIRROR EXACTLY AS FELLOW POSTERS. NOVEMBER 29, 2007, I PULLED BACK THE CARPET TO INSPECT COMPUTER MODULE AND HEATER CORE AREA, THERE IS GUNKY GREEN OOZE ON THE FLOOR AND ON THE COMPUTER MODULE. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE POSITION OF RESEARCHING THE BEST WAY TO HAVE PROBLEM FIXED, WHETHER AT THE DEALER, ANOTHER AUTO SHOP, OR SELF REPAIR. *TR

• 11/25/2004· STRUCTURE

  FACTORY DEFECTIVE PAINT SPOTS ON HOOD,DAMAGE TO HOOD DURING MAINTENCE BY DEALERSHIP. *AK

• 11/24/2007· VISIBILITY

  I HAVE A HEATER CORE FAILURE IN MY 2002 DIAMANTE. I NOW HAVE ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTO MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. I HAVE AN ANTIFREEZE SMELL AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS IN THE CAR. I GOT LOW ON ANTIFREEZE AND ALMOST OVERHEATED ON THE BELT PARKWAY. IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT BECAUSE WINDOWS WILL FOG UP AND DEFROSTER MAKES PROBLEM WORSE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE CARS COMPUTER IS POSITIONED UNDER THE HEATER CORE SO I HAVE TO HOPE I DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER ISSUE AS MY SERVICE LIGHT HAS GOBNE ON AS WELL> I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 ENGINE SENSORS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS ( THE HEATER CORE ISSUE COULD BE THE ROOT CAUSE). THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I SEE ALOT OF THE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MODEL ARE FOR THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

• 11/24/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  I HAVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. I HAVE KEPT REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I AM SUBMITTING THIS FORM BECAUSE OF A HEATER CORE ISSUE I AM HAVING. HOWEVER I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. ALL THESE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE RECURRING PROBLEMS THAT HAPPEN TO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS MODEL. AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT I FIND WHEN I SEARCH THE ISSUES ON THE INTERNET 1- VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL --THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER TAKING CAR BACK TO DEALER-IT APPEARS THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE ROTORS IN THIS CAR. AFTER HAVING THE ROTORS CUT TWICE BY THE DEALER WITH NO LONG LASTING SUCCESS. I HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC ( CAR HAD LESS THE 10,000 MILES WHEN ISSUE STARTED HAPPENING) 2- RUSTED MUFFLER--NOT SURE IF THIS ISSUE HAPPENS OFTEN BUT AFTER 23,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE MY MUFFLER REPLACED BECAUSE THERE WAS A HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE TOP OF IT-I WAS TOLD THIS COULD HAPPEN FOR NOT USING THE CAR VERY MUCH IN THE WINTER TIME( ROAD SALT CAN CAUSE THE RUST) 3- HEATER CORE- I KNOW HAVE A HEATER CORE PROBLEM IN THIS CAR. I HAVE ANTIFREEZE LEAKING IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HAVE AN ANTIFREEZE SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. MY WINDOWS FOG AND THE DEFROSTER WILL NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD ( MAKES IT WORSE). I AM LOW IN ANTIFREEZE BECAUSE OF THIS. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOW COME ON AND I AM TOLD THIS CAN BE CAUSED BY LEAKING ANTIFREEZE ONTO THE COMPUTER WHICH IS POSITIONED UNDER THE HEATER CORE. THIS ISSUE IS WIDELY REPORTED ON THE INTERNET IN MANY FORUMS AND SEEMS EVERYBODY WITH A DIAMANTE WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM BEING TOLD THIS REPAIR CAN COST OVER 1,000 DOLLARS 4-I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 SENSORS IN THE ENGINE 2 EGR AND 1 IDLE SENDER (COST AROUND 1,500 DOLLARS). THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE BECAUSE OF THE HEATER CORE ISSUES CAUSING THE CARS COMPUTER TO FAIL. *TR

• 11/21/2007· VISIBILITY

  SYMPTOMS: CONSTANT NAUSEATING SMELL LIKE "BURNT SYRUP" INSIDE CABIN, FOGGING OF WINDSHIELD ON DRY, WARM WEATHER DAY. FROM THE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA, THIS IS A CLASSIC HEATER CORE FAILURE. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED? THIS IS POTENTIAL SERIOUS HEALTH AND VEHICLE OPERATION SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

• 11/21/2005· VISIBILITY

  HEATER CORE LEAKING AND FOGGING UP WINDOWS. INHALING OF RADIATOR FLUID FUMES IS NOXIOUS. CAN NOT KEEP WINDOW CLEAN, IT'S GREASY, AND CAN'T SEE TO DRIVE WITHOUT WIPING OFF FILM. PASSENGER SIDE CARPET IS WET FROM RADIATOR FLUID AND I'M AFRAID SMELL WILL NOT GO AWAY. *JB

• 11/18/2007· VISIBILITY

  HEATING CORE GOING BAD, WINDOW SHIELD FOGS UP AND CANNOT WIPE WAYS EASILY, VAPORS COMING FROM UNDER DASH, SYRUP SMELL IS STRONG AND ONLY WHEN HEAT IS ON. *TR

• 11/17/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  OUR 2002 MITSUBISHIS DIAMANTE VR-X HAS BEEN MISTING FROM THE HEATER CORE FOR A FEW YEARS. THE PROBLEM IS BAD GASKETS (O-RINGS) THAT JOIN THE HEATER CORE WITH THE LINES FOR THE HEATER HOSES. THE HEATER CORE IS INSTALLED RIGHT OVER THE PCM UNIT. IF IT LEAKS BADLY ENOUGH, THE PCM AND TRANSMISSION RELAY WILL BE DESTROYED. IT (HEATER CORE) FAILED SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WHEN WE WENT TO MITSUBISHI DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT. THEY QUOTED US $1400.00 FOR REPAIRS. ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT NO ONE HAS GOTTEN ANY SATISFACTION FROM MITSUBISHI. I PUT SOME RADIATOR STOP-LEAK IN AND THIS SEEMED TO HELP SOMEWHAT, BUT IT IS STARTING TO MIST AGAIN WITH ANTI-FREEZE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A TOXIN AND IS DANGEROUS TO INHALE AND WILL JEOPARDIZE MY FAMILY'S HEALTH. *TR

• 11/17/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  HEATER CORE IS LEAKING CAR ONLY HAS 82,000K ON THE DASH. AS I HAVE GONE THROUGH VARIOUS CAR FORUMS AND HAVE COME TO REALIZE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

• 11/15/2005· VISIBILITY

  DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A LEAK COMING FROM THE HEATER CORE. THIS CAUSES ANTI-FREEZE TO COME INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ANTI-FREEZE IS OBSTRUCTING HIS VISION AND HE IS BREATHING ANTI-FREEZE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP. *JB

• 11/12/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY

  I HAVE A MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE 2002. THE CAR IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE IN THE PASSENGERS SIDE DUE TO A HEATER CORE GASKET CRACK. I HAVE SUFFER RESPITORY DISTRESS DUING THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS DUE TO THIS UNKNOWN LEAK. MY 8 YEAR OLD SON HAS BEEN HAVING SEVERE STOMACH ACHES THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS AS WELL. DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, WE DON'T HAVE DEFROSTERS AS WELL. *JB

• 11/09/2007· VISIBILITY

  COMPLAINT DESCRIPTION: NOTICED FAINT SMELL OF ANTI FREEZE APPROXIMATELY 9 MONTHS AGO. HAD PROBLEMS WITH DEFROSTER CLEARING WINDOWS. ALSO, SEEMED TO GET BETTER (OR MAYBE I GOT USED TO THE SMELL). NOW NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR CARPET IS SOAKED WITH ANTI FREEZE. OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE HEATER CORE OR THE HOSE(S) WHICH CONNECT TO IT ARE LEAKING. CAR HAS 55000 MILES, AND IS WELL MAINTAINED. I CALLED LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR. HOPING THEY CAN REPAIR THIS AT LITTLE OR NO COST TO ME AS THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN PARTS OR INSTALLATION. ALL LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER SAID THAT THIS WILL COST WE ABOUT $1200. I SEE ALOT OF COMPLAINT OF THIS TYPE SHOULD THIS BE A RECALL? *TR

• 11/08/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

  NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER ACCIDENT EVEN AFTER VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. *NM

• 11/07/2008· VISIBILITY

  FOGGY WINDOW, ANTIFREEZE SMELL THROUGH VENT, PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR DAMP/WET. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT HEATERCORE O-RINGS AND HEATERCORE POSSIBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 11/05/2005· VISIBILITY

  THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE LS. THE WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY FOGGY IN A DRY ENVIRONMENT. WHEN WIPING WINDOWS DOWN, I NOTICED THAT THE CONDENSATION WAS OILY. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED A SYRUP SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEFROSTER HAS NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY, SO I INVESTIGATED ONLINE TO FIND OUT IF IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE. WHAT I FOUND OUT WAS THAT THE SYRUP SMELL AND OILY CONDENSATION WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO A LEAKY HEATER CORE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO FOUND THAT THE O-RING SEALS FOR THE HEATER CORE WERE FAILING. THEY PRESSURED TESTED THE CORE TO BE SURE IT WAS NOT FAILING ALSO. THE OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEFROSTER WAS NOT RELATED AND ONLY SPARKED MY INVESTIGATION INTO THE OILY CONDENSATION. *JB

• 11/04/2006· VISIBILITY

  I HAVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE WITH A FAILED HEATER CORE. SMELLED ANTIFREEZE FOR AWHILE, THEN ONE EVENING, IT WAS COMING OUT OF MY AIR VENTS AND FOGGING UP MY WINDSHIELD - EXCEPT IT WASN'T "FOG" BUT ANTIFREEZE MIST THAT WOULD NOT GO AWAY, SO I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HEAD OUT THE WINDOW TILL I GOT IT HOME AND WIPED IT DOWN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND I BELIEVE MITSUBISHI IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REFUNDING MY 800+ DOLLAR SHOP BILL FOR REPAIRING THIS DEFECT. *NM

• 11/02/2009· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

  I HAVE A '02 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE AND I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS OUT OF THE HEATER CORE LEAKING AND NOW ITS AFFECTED MY ECU (COMPUTER) I CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT OUTRAGEOUS PRICES TO FIX OR EVEN CHECK MY CAR.. I THINK THAT SINCE ITS A PROBLEM FROM THE DEALER THEY SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS.. I KNOW I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MITSUBISHI AND I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THEM TO A FRIEND.. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? *TR

• 11/01/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY

  HEATER CORE LEAKING....CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON....WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE DIAMANTE....PAID CLOSE TO 800 TO HAVE REPAIRED...COOLANT LEAKED ON THE COMPUTER AND CAR WENT INTO FAIL SAFE DRIVING MODE. *NM

• 10/31/2005· VISIBILITY

  FOG AND MIST ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. COOLANT LEVELS DROPPED AND REFILLS WERE REQUIRED, FOLLOWED BY A PROBLEM IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AND FINALLY A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING. MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RELAY HAD BEEN DAMAGED BY COOLANT LEAKING ONTO THE ECU FROM THE HEATER CORE. COOLANT WAS ALSO FOUND TO HAVE LEAKED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE CARPETING. *JB

• 10/29/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  HEATER CORE FAILURE CAUSED FAILURE OF POWER CONTROL MODULE. TOTAL REPAIR BILL > $2,500. MITSUBISHI IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND NEGLECTS TO EVEN INFORM CUSTOMERS THAT THERE ARE STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BEFORE A COSTLY BREAKDOWN. DEFECTIVE PCM CAUSES SEVERE DRIVABLE PROBLEMS. *TR

• 10/28/2008· SUSPENSION,TIRES

  AT ABOUT 95000 MILES I NOTICED THE VEHICLE BECOMING VERY HARD TO DRIVE WHENEVER THERE WAS SLIGHT MOISTURE OR SNOW ON THE ROADS. AFTER INSPECTING I NOTICED BOTH REAR WHEELS TIPPED IN AT THE TOP SUBSTANTIALLY. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS ALSO TOWED OUT AT THE FRONT AND BOTH REAR TIRES WERE ALMOST COMPLETELY WORN EVEN THOUGH I HAD JUST REPLACED THEM ABOUT 25000 MILE PRIOR. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR BUSHINGS THAT PRESS INTO THE REAR KNUCKLES WEARING PREMATURELY. I HAVE SINCE MOVED THE FRONT TIRES TO THE REAR AND THOSE HAVE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. I UNDERSTAND I WILL NEED TO HAVE THESE BUSHINGS REPLACED AND HAVE THE SUSPENSION ALIGNED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE EXPENSE AND WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT TO LOOK FOR THE VEHICLE GOES FROM A NICE RIDE TO ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN A VERY SHORT TIME. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND ALOT OF PEOPLE WILL BE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM OR CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THIS WAY BECAUSE IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR

• 10/28/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  AT ABOUT 70,000 MILES I STARTED TO SEE A VERY FINE MIST-LIKE SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. SO AFTER THE TEMP GAUGE STARTED TO GO UP AND I COULD ALSO SMELL ANTI-FREEZE. I CHECKED THE RADIATOR AREA AND COULD FIND NO LEAK BUT WHEN I CHECKED THE COOLANT IT WAS LOW. I TOPPED OFF THE COOLANT AND A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER IT DID THE SAME THING. I THEN ADDED STOP-LEAK AND THE COOLANT LEVEL SEEMS TO BE STAYING BUT I CAN STILL SMELL THE ANTI-FREEZE AND THE WINDOWS FOG UP. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH GASKETS ON THE HEATER CORE. I AM WORRIED THE COOLANT LEAKED INTO MY VEHICLE IN THE AREA OF THE ECM. TO ME, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND MITSUBISHI SHOULD BE CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS VERY COMMON FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON-LINE. *TR

• 10/23/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I BOUGHT MY CAR USED FROM THE DEALERSHIP, AND DROVE ABOUT 200 MILES BEFORE I REALIZED THE ANTIFREEZE SMELL AS WELL AS MY WINDOWS BEGAN TO FOG. AFTER READING THE VAST AMOUNT OF HEATER CORE PROBLEMS IN THE MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE, I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. ANTIFREEZE IN THE CAB OF THE CAR COLD LEAD TO HEALTH ISSUES AND THE CONSISTENT FOGGING OF THE WINDOWS CAN LEAD TO LITTLE TO NO VISIBILITY. THE WINDOWS WILL RANDOMLY BECOME INTENSELY GREASY WITH ANTIFREEZE BACKUP, THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME WHEN I AM DRIVING. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO MY VISIBILITY, AND AM GETTING MY EYES CHECKED OUT JUST INCASE THE ANTIFREEZE HAS AFFECTED THEM. THANK YOU *TR

• 10/22/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  BAD HEATER CORE, LEAKING O-RINGS. *JB

• 10/09/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I BOUGHT A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE LS 10/3/07. HE HAD 53,000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS ABOUT 75,000 MILES. MY PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS HUNDREDS OF OWNER OF THIS CAR. HEATER CORE ISSUES. I RECENTLY HAD THE HEATER CORE GASKETS REPLACED AS I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS OK, STILL HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. IT IS NOW LEAKING AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND SEEMS THAT MITSUBUSHI IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. THE HEATER CORE IS RIGHT ABOVE THE COMPUTER THAT RUNS THE CAR. WHEN THE HEATER CORE GOES BAD, ITS LEAKS ON THE COMPUTER. WHAT KIND OF SENSE DOES THAT MAKE? MY ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON AND I HAVE SEEN THE TCL LIGHT COME ON AS WELL. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND ALL 3 OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON. I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS OR IF MITSUBUSHI HAS ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM AND I AM NOT AWARE OF. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE CAR OR GET A NEW. PLEASE HELP! *TR

• 10/08/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING STALL. PUT ON BRAKE, TO STOP, CAR ACCELERATED OVER CURB INTO BUILDING. MR

• 10/07/2006· VISIBILITY

  HEATER CORE LEAKING. *NM

• 10/05/2006· VISIBILITY

  2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE PURCHASED FROM WALLACE MITSUBISHI IN KINGSPORT TN. IN JULY 2006. MILEAGE 45000 MILES. FOUL ODOR FROM VENTS, WINDOWS FOGGED WITH GREASY FILM, IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THROUGH WINDOWS. GARAGE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE HEATER CORE MALFUNCTION. REPAIRS TO COST BETWEEN $700.00 TO $800.00 . I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JB

• 10/05/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  HEATER CORE (AND POSSIBLE EFFECT ON TRANSMISSION ISSUES) GOING UP BEFORE ITS TIME (AND THIS KNOWN TO BE A PROBLEM ON THE DIAMANTES FOR OVER 3 YEARS OF THE MODEL) AND CAUSING ANTIFREEZE FUMES AND SMOKE TO FILL MY CAR FOR MONTHS UNNOTICED EXPOSING MY FAMILY AND SELF TO NAUSEOUSNESS, HEADACHES, NOT TO MENTION EXPENSE OF REPAIR ON A RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLE. *NM

• 10/05/2003· TIRES

  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 HONOR THIS. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THE MITSUBISHI MANUFACTURER HAD USED THESE CHEAP MADE TIRES ON A GOOD VEHICLE LIKE THIS. *LA

• 10/01/2012· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINECrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PASSENGER VAN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE MISFIRES, NEEDED SPARK PLUGS, A FUEL PUMP, A FUEL INJECTOR, AN EGR VALVE, AND THE ENGINE SURGED ERRATICALLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 12/06/12*LJ UPDATED 12/6/2012 *JS

• 09/26/2006· VISIBILITY

  I NOTICED A MAPLE-SYRUP TYPE SMELL AND FOG COMING OUT OF THE VENTS EVEN WHEN OFF. UPON INVESTIGATION, COOLANT WAS FOUND LEAKING ONTO DRIVERS' SIDE FLOOR. WAS TOLD BY GARAGE THAT IT WAS THE HEATER CORE AND IT WILL COST $800 TO REPAIR. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IF IT'S NOT REPAIRED IT COULD DAMAGE THE COMPUTER. I WILL HAVE TO GET IT FIXED SOON AS MY SON HAS ASTHMA AND BREATHING IN ANTIFREEZE VAPORS IS PROBABLY NOT A GOOD THING. *NM

• 09/16/2006· VISIBILITY

  LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. FOGGED WINDOWS, WITH A NEAR MISS ON HIGHWAY BEFORE I COULD GET OFF. *NM

• 09/06/2005· VISIBILITY

  THE HEATER CORE HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK THAT ALLOWS ANTI-FREEZE TO ENTER AND COLLECT ON THE INSIDE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS MOISTURE INSIDE THE VEHICLE MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD WITH THE DEFROSTER, MAKING FOR A RATHER DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE. THIS IS ON A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE WITH FAIRLY LOW MILES. I'VE OWNED A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES IN MY LIKE AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A HEATER CORE HAS EVER FAILED. *NM

• 08/25/2010· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AS A RESULT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000. UPDATED 12/15/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/27/10