VehicleVerdict

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 75 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median Diamante year — the 2003 model ranks #3 of 12 Diamante years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 28 reports (37% of the total).

75

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Diamante years?

Diamante NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Diamante years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers2837%
Engine1824%
Brakes79%
Transmission45%
Tires & Wheels34%
Suspension34%
Fuel System23%
Electrical System23%
Other23%
Lighting11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Latches & Locks11%
Airbags11%
Seats11%
Body & Structure11%

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE COOLANT LEAK INSIDE THE CAR. STEAM FOGGING THE WINDOWS AND STRONG CHEMICAL ODOR LEAVING RESIDUE ON WINDOWS. QUOTED $1000 TO REPAIR, THEY SAY IT NEEDS A NEW HEATER CORE. IT MAY NOT BE THE HEATER CORE, BUT JUST SEALS. I HAVE BYPASSED THE HEATER HOSES AND FORTUNATELY LIVE IN A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 23, 2005

“I PURCHASED A USED 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE FROM BANKSTON DODGE IN 2007. IT WAS CLEAN AND RAN WELL. THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL ODOR INSIDE, BUT SMELLED AS IF IT COULD HAVE BEEN WHAT THE DEALERSHIP USED TO CLEAN THE INSIDE. IT TURNED OUT TO BE ANTI-FREEZE. THE VEHICLE HAD A HEATER CORE LEAK PRIOR TO OUR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 21, 2006

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 5, 2004

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER CORE FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE CENTRAL COMPUTER AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER COULD NOT BE RELEASED FROM THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 1, 2011

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 18, 2003

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante — common questions

Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 75 complaints put the 2003 model at #3 of 12 Diamante years. It is one of the Diamante years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Diamante problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (28 complaints), engine (18 complaints), brakes (7 complaints).

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 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.