Most common 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante problems
Share of the 34 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mitsubishi Diamante complaints by model year
Best Diamante years: 1995, 1999, 1998. Years to avoid: 2002, 2001, 2003, 2000. Compare all years →
What 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante owners say
Brakes
The brake pads, l/r rotors, l/r caliper have been replaced three times on this car. I have been complaining to the dealer, ocean mitubishi, about the brake system on this car for the past 3 years. They have continually ignored my complaints and said that it was not unusual to have these problems with the brakes. I have owned many other cars and have never experienced the brake problems that I have had with this Diamante. When I first heard about the problems that mitubishi has had in Japan, I emailed the dealer, who said they were unaware of the problems. I emailed the articles from the newspaper and called them to follow up. At that time they acknowledged problems with the diamant bral
1997 Mitsubishi Diamante purchased new from ron bouchard's in September, 1997. I have had problems with this vehicle since December, 1997. Ron bouchard's has picked this vehicle up with a flat bed truck three separate occasions, and it has been driven into the dealership numerous times. Please contact me and I will be happy to supply additonal information.
Transmission & drivetrain
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. Since I had not heard that this has been on going problem with this model, I thought it must be something that I had done. Upon reviewing the information of nhsta, I realize that the dealers and Mitsubishi are deliberately hiding this problem. Safety - fuel tank: my fuel tank began leaking at 59,560 miles and when the dealer removed it had 3 stress wholes. The tank had to be sent out for welding. Of course, I had to pay for the repair even though I spoke directly to the Mitsubishi complaint department. Since it was not a recall item, Mitsubishi or the dealer will not pay for the repair. The dangerous fuel leak is another ongoing hidden problem. …
When exiting vehicle driver's side automatic shoulder belt does not retract. Consumer contacted dealer, dealer adjusted the belts, problem still occur. Please provide any further details. The brakes make noise due to front pads wear and front brake rotors warping. The transmission shutters occasinaly when taking off and was replaced with new one.
Engine & cooling
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. Even though there are hundreds of Mitsubishi Diamante owners complaining about this problem including with people that have as low as 30-45K on their vehicle. Please look at this forum which show many Mitsubishi owners complaining about their vehicle.. Http://www.diamanteowners.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php?t3615-0.html please help me and help these poor owners. Recall this major error mistubishi knows about but refuses to do anything about it and keep silent. This also can cause death because when the heater core fails it leaks and causes a bad odor of antifreeze. You wouldn't want your kids breathing on that would you. …
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. Anti-freeze still spilled out and anti-freeze smell came in through air events and the liquid also burned, causing smoke to come out from under the hood.
1997 Mitsubishi Diamante engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante a good car?
Based on 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Diamante rates average: 37% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Diamante at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante?
The brakes — 15 complaints, 44% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc › rotor. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (10) and engine & cooling (4).
How many recalls does the 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mitsubishi Diamante?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995, 1999 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002, 2001, 2003 and 2000. See the full Mitsubishi Diamante years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 112,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.