VehicleVerdict

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 162 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median Diamante year — the 2002 model ranks #1 of 12 Diamante years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: visibility & wipers issues account for 44% of all reports (72 of 162), far ahead of engine at 39.

162

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

13

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Diamante years?

Diamante NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted162 complaints1992: 60 complaints1993: 43 complaints1994: 33 complaints1995: 13 complaints1997: 51 complaints1998: 35 complaints1999: 26 complaints2000: 63 complaints2001: 93 complaints2002: 162 complaints2003: 75 complaints2004: 3 complaints
Diamante NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Diamante years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers7244%
Engine3924%
Transmission127%
Electrical System106%
Tires & Wheels53%
Brakes53%
Fuel System53%
Body & Structure32%
Airbags21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Suspension21%
Speed Control11%
Child Seat11%
Other11%
Latches & Locks11%
Steering11%

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V428000OtherSeptember 1, 2004 · 100,432 units

Defect

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.

04V067000OtherFebruary 11, 2004 · 134,000 units

Defect

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.

02V100001Electrical SystemApril 7, 2002 · 3,885 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CAR CABIN HAS STRONG ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE WHEN USING THE HEATER. WINDOWS HAVE DIFFICULTY DE-FOGGING AND AFTER CONTACTING SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE OVER $1000 TO FIX. AS I DUG DEEPER INTO MY PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF MY VEHICLE THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 2, 2007

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 26, 2012 · crash

“HEATER CORE DEFECTIVE AND LEAKED COOLANT UNDERDASH ON TO TRANSMISSION ECM AND NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH. BECAUSE OF THIS VERY COMMON MANUFACTURE DEFECT I HAD TO HAVE MY HEATER CORE, TRANSMISSION ECM, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH REPLACE. AND MY TRANSMISSION REBUILD, NONE OF WHICH WERE WARRANTED BY THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 28, 2006

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 26, 2012 · crash

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 30, 2004 · crash

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante — common questions

Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 162 complaints put the 2002 model at #1 of 12 Diamante years. It is one of the Diamante years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Diamante problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (72 complaints), engine (39 complaints), transmission (12 complaints).

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Diamante years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Diamante years to avoid are 2002, 2001, 2003. The cleanest record among Diamante years belongs to 2004.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.