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2002 Mitsubishi Diamante Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 123 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante, most often about the visibility and wipers (58% of complaints, typically around 58,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Diamante model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante problems
Visibility and wipers
71 complaints · 58%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Heater core - the air that comes out the vent when I turn my heater on, smells like antifreeze. My windows fog up and I work at night. Its kind of hard to keep wiping down the windshield consistently with my hand while driving.
Started smelling "maple syrup" in passenger compartment. Windows were fogging up easily. This was confirmed by dealer to be the heater core leaking antifreeze, and service cost $1,100.
Engine
38 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, exhaust system, engine.
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.
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…
Transmission
10 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante. While driving 37 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the service engine warning indicator light illuminated. The contact attempted to accelerate and pull off the road, but when the engine revved, the vehicle moved approximately three feet and stopped. The vehicle had experienced…
Transmission retaining rings brake and jam gears. Car stopped in intersection had to be pushed off road and towed to shop replaced transmission. Was told by repair person that this is something that Mitsubishi knew was happening for the last 2 years.
Electrical
9 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02v100001 (electrical…
While driving at any speed electrical system failed. As a result, the vehicle stalled in oncoming traffic. It was later determined by the dealer's technician that the etacs systems failed.
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 4%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…
Heater core hoses leaked by 34k miles - seeping anti freeze into passenger side carpet, smelling of syrup, and fogging up windows when they needed to be defogged. Also, tires were noisy from first drive. At 36.5k miles they are very bad, vibrating entire car and making extreme road noise.
Brakes
5 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
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.
January 12, 2005 one cold morning I noticed that the reverse gear did not go in as fast as it should it took like 1 minute to go into gear, when cold it would jolt before advancing in drive. Took it to the dealer, they did not find anything, so I picked up that same afternoon, next morning same problem. I took the car…
Fuel system
4 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: fuel injection system, delivery.
I purchased a used 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante in august 2005. The car had 45,000 miles on it. In october when I started to use the heater I could smell an unusual smell inside the car. In january of 2006 my brother rode in the car and told me the smell was anti-freeze. I went on the internet and instantly found out that…
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…
Body and structure
3 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: body.
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…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Mitsubishi Diamante recalls
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: front underhood
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (71 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); engine (38 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); transmission (10 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 1, 2004 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Diamante?
- It is the most complained-about Diamante model year since 2000, with 123 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.