This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Foggy spots on front windshield, syrup like smell, and vapors blown through front vents. Heater core gasket leaked coolant fluid into car dripping on passenger side, found fluid underneath carpet. Mitsubishi dealership replaced heater core.
Notice thick residue on front window and was not able to remove it with defogger. Notice lose of antifreeze which caused over heating and potential engine ceasing. Then noticed passenger side carpet was full of anti-freeze. After intense cleaning and attempts to fix the problem, it still emits a maple syrup anti freeze toxic fume
Windows will not defrost and odor coming from vents. Also puddle of anti-freeze on passenger floor. Did not think problems where related but they are. Heater core gasket leaking and causing the problems. $1 gasket and $700+ labor. This is a scam from the dealership, exploit a unsafe defect and then charge an arm and a leg to get it fixed. Next they will charge for the air we breathe.
Noticed anti-freeze smell within the vehicle. Windshield fogging up and heater was not working properly. Took to dealership and was told O-rings needed replaced. Advised work was completed, charged $652.97, and the next day still experiencing the same problems. Contacted the dealership. They are going to investigate further.
I am filing this complaint with the NHTSA department on behalf of myself and over 40 other owners of the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante automobile. The back ground on all of these complaints can be viewed at www.mycarstats.com. it is my feeling that these Mitsubishi customers were under the impression that filing a complaint on mycarstats.com was the same as filing one with the NHTSA. If you would take the time to view the various stories under the complaints section, sub headings engine cooling systems and visual systems, you will see the magnitude and the similarities of the problem. You will also find a similar collection of complaints under other vehicle model years, as Mitsubishi built this vehicle with the same problem, for many years. The main problem is in the faulty design of the O rings that were to seal the engine coolant from leakage as it enters the cabin heater core. This is a problem that Mitsubishi recognized and actually issued a service bulletin advising dealers of a repair kit designed to eliminate the leaks that are sure to develop. As you will learn from reading the complaints of the many owners on the www.mycarstats.com web site, this leaking problem has cause these owners to spend in the area of $800 to $1200 in repairs on vehicles with relatively low miles. In many cases the miles are as low as 40,000. The lower costs of repair are usually found at independent repair shops with the higher costs normally attributed to Mitsubishi dealerships. Most complaining owners only mention the accumulation of anti-freeze vapor on windows and the saturation of the vehicles floor covering. Some also report damage to the vehicles computer system. I ask only that you visit the www.mycarstats.com web site and review the extensive list of almost identical complaints. I feel that after doing so you will feel, as I, that Mitsubishi owns their customers reimbursement for the problems their faulty design has caused.
2002 Mitsubishi Diamante - heater core, bought used from mitsu dealer, found heater core hoses disconnected & bypassed. Evidence of past leak on/near ECU. $1000 to repair at independent garage.
Windows were not clearing properly and smell of anti-freeze was very strong. Upon calling the Mitsubishi dealer, I was told, it's probably the heater core. I ask if this is normal for a car three years olds with approximately 45,000 miles. Dealer said they had seen a few. They haven't been much help yet.
I have a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante with a failed heater core. Smelled antifreeze for awhile, then one evening, it was coming out of my air vents and fogging up my windshield - except it wasn't "fog" but antifreeze mist that would not go away, so I have to drive with my head out the window till I got it home and wiped it down. Apparently this is a very common problem, and I believe Mitsubishi is responsible for refunding my 800+ dollar shop bill for repairing this defect.
Heater core leaking....check engine light came on....well known and documented problem with the Diamante....paid close to 800 to have repaired...coolant leaked on the computer and car went into fail safe driving mode.
2002 Mitsubishi Diamante purchased from wallace Mitsubishi in kingsport tn. In July 2006. Mileage 45000 miles. Foul odor from vents, windows fogged with greasy film, impossible to see through windows. Garage mechanic determined the cause to be heater core malfunction. Repairs to cost between $700 to $800. I'm not the only one with this problem. The should be a recall.
I noticed a maple-syrup type smell and fog coming out of the vents even when off. Upon investigation, coolant was found leaking onto drivers' side floor. Was told by garage that it was the heater core and it will cost $800 to repair. Was also told that if it's not repaired it could damage the computer. I will have to get it fixed soon as my son has asthma and breathing in antifreeze vapors is probably not a good thing.
The heater core has been leaking for about 2 years on my 2002 Diamante. This causes fumes to take over my car and I can not see out of my windshield. There is also some sort of electrical problem that causes my car to die when idle at stops or when I let off the gas. This is very dangerous for me.
Windshield fogging up with film and defog not even touching it. Noticed smoky like air coming from under passenger side dash. Ac is now flaky. Sometimes will work sometimes won't. most likely heater core is defective or leaking as stated in Mitsubishi Diamante tsb. Car is 2002 with roughly 40K miles on it. Ridiculous. From what I have read online most dealers are charging up to $1200 to fix this. This is not just a safety hazard but a health hazard depending on how long me and my family have been breathing in condensed antifreeze and not knowing it. Will never buy a Mitsubishi again!!
Continual odd odor entering cabin of car. It smells sweet like maple syrup. It occurs when I use heater and odor is emitted through vents. I believe it is anti-freeze that has leaked, I am smelling anti-freeze and I'm concerned for my health. I have read numerous complaints in Mitsubishi Diamante online forums about this problem. There is a huge number of heater core hose O-ring gasket failures causing leaks near heater core. Apparently it also drips onto computer control unit also.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Dover, DE, USA