AI Damage1997 Mitsubishi Diamante: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante filed 34 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 34
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 41% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 29% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 12% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 9% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 7 Parking brake 6% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 6% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 14 complaints (41% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 10 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (12% of all).
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (9% of all).
- Visibility: 3 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 34 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving approximately 70 mph, the rear driver's side tire spontaneously blew out. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The vehicle was completely destroyed and a police report was filed. Prior to the crash, she noticed that the tire pressure was normal and that the tread depth was 8/32.
While driving at 15 mph abs brakes failed vehicle did not stop and continued to move hitting vehicle in front. Also, transmission failure, resulting in extreme shifts.
The contact stated that the radiator leaked due to the heater core. The radiator leaked onto the carpet when the heat was activated. The contact stated that he and his family have inhaled toxic fumes from the radiator leaking onto the carpet and they are concerned of future health risks.
There is a major problem with the mitsubishi diamante heater core going out. Mine went out a few days ago and was informed by mitsubishi it will cost me 965 to replace.
Heater core randomly cracked one day, causing a tear-like spill of anti-freeze through the top of the radiator. Car was taken to a mechanic and we tried welding the cracks.
The paint on the roof and trunk deck of my 1997 diamante is fading with white patches. The hood and body paint looks good as new. I waxed my vehicle at least 3 times a year. Is this a defect from the factory I have notice several similar models with the same problem. What should I do about the problem?
Vehicle had a gas leak, dealer could not find hole in gas tank, consumer replaced gas tank, about 8 months after gas tank was replaced the vehicle exploded.
Safety - transmission: at 9,500 miles my car started lurching when stepping on the gas from a stop. It supposedly was repaired but has continued to be problem and each time I bring it in for service the dealer can not recreate the problem.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,426 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Diamante has 42 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 34, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, powertrain, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 34. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (9%), fuel system, fuel smell (9%), transmission slipping (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.