2003 Mitsubishi Diamante Problems

Severe Issues

Used MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE shoppers should review this model-year complaint and recall record before making an offer. Based on 69 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Visibility the most reported area.

Before you buy

This 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante has 69 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Visibility.

A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.

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69
Complaints
3
Crashes
β€”
Fires
2
Injuries
β€”
Fatalities
2
Recalls

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante Fuel Economy

βœ“ EPA Official Data

EPA official fuel economy rating for the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante.

16
MPG City
23
MPG Hwy
18
MPG Combined
494
g COβ‚‚/mile
Premium Gasoline
⚠️Costs $10,000 more than avg vehicle over 5 years

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante Safety Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Program

Official crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.

Overall

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated
β—‹Stability Control: Noβ—‹Forward Collision Warning: Noβ—‹Lane Departure Warning: No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.

Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante has 69 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Visibility. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante β€” key reliability facts
Make
Mitsubishi
Model
Diamante
Model year
2003
NHTSA owner complaints
69
Crash-related complaints
3
Safety recall campaigns
2
Top reported component
Visibility
Reliability signal
Severe Issues
EPA MPG combined
18
EPA MPG city / highway
16 / 23
Fuel type
Premium Gasoline
Electronic stability control
No

Common problems

Most common 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante problems

Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.

#1
30
complaints

Visibility

#2
18
complaints

Engine Problems

#3
8
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Crash-related:1

Complaint patterns center on Visibility, Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.

Buyer verdict

Should you buy a used 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante?

This MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.

Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.

May Suit

This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.

May Want to Avoid

Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.

Pre-purchase

What to check before buying a used 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante

Inspection Focus

  • Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
  • Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
  • Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN

Before You Close the Deal

  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase

Check the exact car

Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.

Before buying a used 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.

AI verdict

What the complaint data suggests

Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

The MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE has 69 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. 3 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Recall context: 2 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.

Key Findings
  • 69 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 2 federal recall campaigns
  • 3 crash-related complaints on record
Top Concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume β€” popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Full breakdown

All 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante complaints by category

Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Visibility30β€”β€”β€”
Engine Problems18β€”β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain81β€”β€”
Brake System5β€”β€”β€”
Hydraulic5β€”β€”β€”
Tire Issues4β€”β€”β€”
Equipment4β€”β€”β€”
Fuel System3β€”β€”β€”
Gasoline3β€”β€”β€”
Structural Problems3β€”β€”β€”
Suspension Failures3β€”β€”β€”
Electrical Faults2β€”β€”β€”
Airbag Malfunctions22β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures1β€”β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues1β€”β€”β€”
Parking-Brake Issues1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

In their words

Real owner complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

Showing 69 most recent complaints

Tire IssuesJul 22, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE EQUIPPED WITH COOPER CS3 TIRES (NA). WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, AIR FROM THE VEHICLE'S FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BEGAN TO BE RELEASED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO A FUEL STATION/REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT T…

Transmission / DrivetrainMar 13, 2013

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 V…

Engine ProblemsJun 2, 2011

I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE LS WITH 71677 MILES ON IT ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY HUSBAND (THE PRIMARY DRIVER) TELLS ME THAT EVERY TIME HE GETS OUT OF THE CAR HE FEELS LIGHT HEADED AND NAUSEOUS. DAYS LATER THE FRONT WINDSHIELD STARTED FOGGING UP WHILE DRIVING AND AFTER TURNING TH…

Fuel SystemApr 20, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF FUEL AND SHE WAS CONCERNED THE VEHICLE WOULD PREMATURELY RUN OUT OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOL…

Engine ProblemsMay 20, 2010

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NEUTRAL LIGHT ON THE VEHICLE STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF AND HE NOTICED A SMELL OF COOLANT. HE NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING ONTO THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PROGRESSES UNTIL THE…

Engine ProblemsMay 20, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED AN UNUSUAL ODOR OF COOLANT AND THE NEUTRAL INDICATOR BEGAN SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT FOUND COOLANT LEAKING ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INT…

VisibilityMar 22, 2010

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). THIS CONCERNS MY 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. IT HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS SUDDENLY STARTED SPEWING A LIGHT FILM ON THE INSIDE OF MY FRONT WINDSHIELD SO THAT I CANNOT SE…

Engine ProblemsMar 11, 2010

I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE WITH 60,000 PLUS MILES. FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF ANTI-FREEZE COMING FROM THE VENTS AND THE WINDOWS CONSTANTLY FOGGING UP, SOMETIMES TO THE POINT THAT I CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE. I HAVE READ MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS …

Engine ProblemsFeb 16, 2010

ANTI-FREEZE LEAK ON CARPET PASSENGER SIDE NEAR FIREWALL FOGGED UP WINDOWS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF DUE TO THE LEAK THE ECU STARTED WORKING AWFUL. *TR

Engine ProblemsJul 9, 2009

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 C…

Engine ProblemsOct 28, 2008

I OWN A 2003 DIAMANTE WITH ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON IT. MY WINDOWS CONTINUALLY FOG UP WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED AND THE DEFROSTER/VENTS DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE FOG AT ALL, MAKING DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN RAINY WEATHER AND DURING THE NIGHTTIME. THE SMELL OF AN…

VisibilityOct 18, 2008

HEATER CORE LEAKAGE CAUSING SMOKE AND ANTIFREEZE ODOR TO COME OUT OF CAR VENTS AND UNDERNEATH DASH BOARD (PASSENGER SIDE). THERE IS A RISK OF ACCIDENT, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH BECAUSE USE OF A/C, HEATER, AND DEFROST IS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN WINDSHIELDS AND WINDOWS FOG UP. *TR

Engine ProblemsSep 3, 2008

I OWN A 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE, AROUND 60K MILES I STARTED NOTICING A SWEET SMELL FROM THE VENTS AND A CONSTANT FOG WHEN THE HEAT OR AIR WAS TURNED ON IN THE CAR. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT MY HEATER CORE WAS BUSTED. MY CAR ALSO SDRIVING IN "SAFE MODE" …

Engine ProblemsMay 1, 2008

MY TRANSMISSION RELAY WENT OUT DUE TO A LEAK HEATER CORE. THE CORE HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR SOME TIME AND HAS FOGGED MY WINDOWS SO BAD I COULD NOT SEE AT TIMES, HAVING TO PULL OVER AND WIPE OFF THE FILM. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. *TR

Engine ProblemsApr 16, 2008

I OWN A 2003 DIAMANTE MITSUBISHI. THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, FOGGING THE WINDOW WITH A FOWL TOXIC SMELL THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT HARDLY MOVE OUT GEAR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR'S HEATER CORE LEAKED ONTO THE COMPUTER WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION RELAY T…

Engine ProblemsApr 7, 2008

I HAVE 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. MY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE, AND MY HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING ON MY COMPUTER...NOW IT'S GOING TO COST ME AROUND 3,500 DOLLARS....THIS IS A VERY FLAWED DESIGN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. *TR

VisibilityApr 7, 2008

DRIVING ALONG AND WINDOWS STARTED TO FOG UP, AND STARTED SMELLING A ODD ODOR. FOUND OUT MY HEATER CORE WAS BAD. APPARENTLY CRACKED FOR NO REASON. RIGHT NOW BY-PASSED THE HEATER CORE BECAUSE MITSUBISHI DEALER QUOTED $1,800.00 TO FIX IT. IT APPEARS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE …

VisibilityMar 18, 2008

I BOUGHT AN 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE IN 2005. MY WIFE AND I NOTICED AN OCCASIONALLY "SYRUP" SMELL, BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. THIS WEEK END (MARCH 08)ANTI-FREEZE (COOLANT) BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE VENTS IN A MIST. IT EVEN TURNED THE BOTTOM HALF OF MY FRONT WINDSHIELD GREEN CREA…

VisibilityDec 23, 2007

I OWN A 2003 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE LS WITH 70,000. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP BRAND NEW. IN NOVEMBER 2007, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE IN THE CAR. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE HEATING CORE, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE ANTI…

VisibilityDec 19, 2007

37813 MILES. HEATER CORE LEAKING. NOTICE THE SWEET SMELL AND NOW OVERHEATING OCCURS. *TR

Page 1 of 4

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante.

Safety recalls

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante recalls

2 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante. 2 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.

Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#04V428000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSJan 9, 2004
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

#04V067000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUALNov 2, 2004

Research more

Keep researching before you buy

Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.

Questions

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante buying FAQ

Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.

Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 69 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. This MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante?β–Ύ

#1: Visibility (30 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (18 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (8 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante?β–Ύ

Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante, NHTSA complaints include 3 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 69 total complaints. 2 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante. A major recall area is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. 2 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.

Should I buy a 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante?β–Ύ

This MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Visibility during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.

Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Diamante reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Owner Reliability Rating

Rate the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante based on your ownership experience.

Add your rating:

Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.

Before you buy

Check the exact vehicle history before you buy

Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.