FaultScore

Mitsubishi Diamante transmission problems

56 of the 657 complaints filed about the Mitsubishi Diamante are about the transmission — 9% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.

56

Complaints

9%

Share of all complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year

1992 Diamante 4 7.1%
1993 Diamante 7 12.5%
1994 Diamante 2 3.6%
1995 Diamante 6 10.7%

Median failure at 137,500 miles

1997 Diamante 11 19.6%
2000 Diamante 3 5.4%

Median failure at 73,755 miles

2001 Diamante 4 7.1%

Median failure at 85,650 miles

2002 Diamante 12 21.4%

Median failure at 76,000 miles

2003 Diamante 4 7.1%

Median failure at 96,066 miles

2004 Diamante 3 5.4%

Median failure at 25,001 miles

What owners said

2004 Mitsubishi Diamante at 3 miles Moreno Valley, CA

POWER TRAIN

THE DIAMANTE HAS AN ODD ISSUE WHERE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS CORRECTLY WHICH AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE FOR DRIVERS. THE INFORMATION BOARD SHOWS THE TRANSACTION RAPIDLY SWITCHING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE EXCESSIVELY. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE MECHANIC SHOPS LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE FROM TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS, TO ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST AND HAVE HAD NO POSITIVE RESULTS.

NHTSA complaint #11278892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante at 143,000 miles Seattle, WA

POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING MY MITSUBISHI ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY BRIDGE ON 7-28-2017 AND SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND I WAS STUCK AND HAD NO POWER OF MOVEMENT,MY WIFE AND 3 Y.O.CHILD WERE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR,LUCKILY THE STATE PATROL CAME AND ASSISTED US.THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THIS CAR WAS MECHANICALLY SOUND AND HAD NO PROBLEMS OR ISSUES.THEY LIED TO US AND BY DOING SO THEY PUT OUR LIVES IN DANGER.THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WAS ALSO MISSING WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11012456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante Anniston, AL

POWER TRAIN

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WOULD NO LONGER PROPEL THE VEHICLE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE. THIS IS A VERY HAZARDOUS ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE. SHE HAD TO COAST THE CAR OVER AND WAS RAPIDLY LOOSING SPEED, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY PART IN THE TRANSMISSION CALLED A WAVE SPRING. IN EVERY F4A51 MITSUBISHI TRANSMISSION, THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE. THE WAVE SPRING BREAKS, BYPASSES THE FILTER, ENTERS THE PUMP GEARS AND BREAKS THE PUMP, ENDING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR, $1800-$2000. IT IS A FAULTY DESIGN, AND A BETTER AFTERMARKET WAVE SPRING WAS EVENTUALLY ENGINEERED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10704409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante at 141,000 miles Tacoma, WA

POWER TRAIN

DRIVING ALONG AT 35MPH ENGINE RPM SUDDENLY ALMOST RED LINED LOST POWER AND LOST ALL FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS.HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE!

NHTSA complaint #10671692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante at 60,000 miles Mpls, MN

POWER TRAIN

THE CAR JUST STOPPED. THE GEARS WERE NONFUNCTIONAL.

NHTSA complaint #10531655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante at 164,000 miles Ravenna, OH

POWER TRAIN

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 REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10502674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Mitsubishi Diamante Henrico, VA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CPSC#I11B0131A. 2004 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE. F4A51 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS CONCERNS WITH THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF MITSUBISHI AND DODGE VEHICLES AND THEIR OWNERS THAT HAVE THE MITSUBISHI F4A51 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN CERTAIN MAKE/MODELS. THE MAIN ISSUES SEEMED TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE WAVE/CUSHION SPRING LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSION DESIGNED THE WAVE SPRING AS A FRAGILE TWO COIL PIECE WHICH HAS BEEN KNOWN TO REPEATEDLY BREAK CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE WAVE BREAKS, ACTUAL PIECES OF THE WAVE SPRING MAKE IT THROUGH MITSUBISHI'S ALSO FAULTY TRANSMISSION FILTER AND LODGE THEMSELVES IN THE PUMP GEAR,CAUSING THE HEAR TO ACTUALLY BREAK. AFTER THE PUMP GEAR HAS BEEN BROKEN INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION, ALL FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS IMMEDIATELY STOP FUNCTIONING AND IN MOST INSTANCES THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD THE F4A51 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN HER VEHICLE, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10461616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Mitsubishi Diamante at 50,000 miles Richmond, VA

POWER TRAIN

THE MAIN ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE WAVE/CUSHION SPRING LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSION. MITSUBISHI HAS DESIGNED THE WAVE SPRING AS A FRAGILE TWO COIL PIECE WHICH HAS BEEN KNOWN TO REPEATEDLY BREAK CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IN TURN POSES A THREAT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. WHEN THIS WAVE SPRING BREAKS, ACTUAL PIECES OF THE WAVE SPRING MAKE IT THROUGH MITSUBISHIS ALSO FAULTY TRANSMISSION FILTER AND LODGE THEMSELVES IN THE PUMP GEAR, CAUSING THE GEAR TO ACTUALLY BREAK. AFTER THE PUMP GEAR HAS BEEN BROKEN INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION, ALL FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS IMMEDIATELY STOP FUNCTION AND IN MOST INSTANCES THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THIS COULD RESULT IN POTENTIAL HARM OR EVEN DEATH OF THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AS THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL MOVING POWER WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. MITSUBISHI HAS RECENTLY CREATED AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE WAVE SPRING WITHOUT ISSUING A RECALL, WHICH NOW IS A ONE PIECE INSTEAD OF THE COIL SETUP AND HAS A LESS CHANCE OF BREAKING.THIS UPDATE WAS DISCOVERED AFTER THEY I HAD MY VEHICLE IN A TRANSMISSION SHOP WITH A HEFTY BILL TO PAY ($3,700) EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MITSUBISHIS FAULT FOR ENGINEERING A FAULTY PART IN THEIR TRANSMISSION. ALL ONE PERSON WOULD NEED TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS ISSUE IS SEARCH THE INTERNET WITH THE TRANSMISSION CODE (F4A51) AND THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED, EVEN RESEARCHED BY TRANSMISSION DIGEST (A SPECIALTY MAGAZINE). NOT ONLY IS THIS A LARGE INCONVENIENCE, IT IS ALSO A HAZARD TO ONES LIFE. MITSUBISHI SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLES WHICH CONTAIN THE F4A51 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO PERFORM THE WAVE SPRING AND FILTER UPDATE OR REIMBURSE THOSE, LIKE MYSELF, WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD IT DONE AT MY COST.

NHTSA complaint #10435698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mitsubishi Diamante at 100,000 miles Buford, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE A 2001 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE, AND AM HAVING PROBLEMS THAT SEEM TO RUN RAMPANT AMONG THIS MODEL/MAKE. MY HEATER CORE WENT OUT AT ABOUT 100K MILES; MY ABS LIGHT STAYS ON (DUE TO A SPEED SENSOR FAIL), WHICH RENDERS THE WHOLE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM USELESS; AND NOW MY ANTENNA MAST IS BROKEN. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE PRICEY TO FIX, AND MOST DIAMANTE USERS I HAVE FOUND EXPERIENCE AT LEAST A FEW OF THESE CONFLICTS. ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAVE SEEN MANY COMMENTS ABOUT IS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 113K MILES. MY CAR HAS EXACTLY THAT. ON TOP OF EVERYTHING, IT IS WINTER, AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE MUCH PREFERRED IN ICY WEATHER. I AM STARTING TO SMELL ANTIFREEZE AGAIN, THE WARNING SIGN TO A FAILING HEATER CORE, WHICH CAN LEAK ONTO A TRANSMISSION COMPUTER AND CAUSE IT TO FAIL AS WELL. I AM BEGINNING TO WORRY ABOUT BEING STRANDED, AND EVEN BEING SAFE IN MY CAR. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING, BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN ONLINE ALL DAY READING FORUMS FROM PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR ISSUES (SEE THE FOLLOWING: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/MITSUBISHI/DIAMANTE/R76426/COMMENTS/PAGE-5/). SOMETHING MUST BE DONE!

NHTSA complaint #10378164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante at 94,000 miles Raccoon, KY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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?

NHTSA complaint #10290728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante at 68,228 miles North Richland Hills, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED INCLUDING THE TORQUE CONVERTER $5000. I AM GOING ON MY SECOND POWER ANTENNA $300. THE MOST RECENT CALLED FOR A HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT $1050.

NHTSA complaint #10255920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante at 60,000 miles Worthington, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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" MEANING I CAN ONLY RUN IN SECOND GEAR WHICH IS BURNING A TANK OF GAS EVERY THREE DAY, I LOVE 10 MILES FROM WORK. MY CAR FLASHED IN NEUTRAL WILL IN DRIVE. AFTER RESEARCHING MY PROBLEMS I'VE NOTICE WELL OVER 1000 POSTED VIA INTERNET FROM OTHER MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BE RECALLED. THERE ARE GREAT RISKS OF INHALING ANTI FREEZE WHICH IS SEEPING INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARDS AND VENTS. I HAVE AN ASTHMATIC CHILD WHO HAS BEEN DRIVING IN THE CAR UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. THIS LEAK MAY ALSO MAKE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE GO OUT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE AN ACCIDENT IS CAUSED OR A LIFE IS TAKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10240783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante at 114,132 miles Fallbrook, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10226354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante at 78,000 miles Nashville, TN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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 TO SHORT OUT DO TO THE COMPUTER FAILING. THE COMPUTER WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT 78,000 MILES BUT I STILL HAD TO PAY FOR THE NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE HEATER CORE THAT CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO FAIL. THIS IS SUCH A POOR DESIGN! THE COMPUTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROTECTED IN SUCH A CASE...FUNNY THING IT IS NOW THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A HEATER CORE, A COMPUTER AND A TRANSMISSION RELAY AT A CUT WRENCHING COST OF $3,675.58. I WROTE A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF NORTH AMERICA MITSUBISHI THAT THE HEATER CORE SHOULD BE A RECALL BUT TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS ON THE DIAMANTE SO THAT WAS NOT WHAT CAUSED THIS HEATER FAILURE. I DO HAVE THE COMPUTER THAT WAS REPLACED. IT IS NOW APRIL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON...NOW WHAT? AJ

NHTSA complaint #10224750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante at 72,000 miles Bakersfield, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10219765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante Mineral Wells, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

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 MANUFACTURE AND WERE NOT CHEAP.

NHTSA complaint #10215743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante Mineral Wells, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

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 MANUFACTURE AND WERE NOT CHEAP.

NHTSA complaint #10215743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante Mineral Wells, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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 MANUFACTURE AND WERE NOT CHEAP.

NHTSA complaint #10215743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante at 80,000 miles Dover, DE 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE 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 THIS FAILURE ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 20,000 MILES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS SEVERELY FOGGED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CORE BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE DRIVER WAS NAUSEATED FOR TWO WEEKS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10197471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Mitsubishi Diamante at 87,168 miles Wichita, KS

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND LOCKED INTO THIRD GEAR. NOTICED SMELL OF COOLANT INSIDE DRIVERS COMPARTMENT AND HAZING OF THE WINDSHIELD. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE PROBLEM IMPROPERLY DIAGNOSED AND HAD TO HAVE IT RE-TESTED TWO WEEKS LATER. HEATER CORE LEAKAGE HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ECU AND NOW BOTH HAVE TO BE REPLACED. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR FOR BOTH WAS $3,357.62. COOLANT FUMES ARE VERY TOXIC AND CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT HEALTH RISK AND ECU FAILURE COULD EASILY RESULT IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY OR ELSEWHERE. THE "FOGGING" OF THE WINDSHIELD IS A VISIBILITY HAZARD AS WELL CAUSED BY THE HOT COOLANT IN THE DEFROST VENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10139382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mitsubishi Diamante problems