Mitsubishi Diamante Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Q: What year Diamante should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante has the most documented problems with a problem score of 112 — driven by 1 recall, 87 complaints, and 2 reported deaths.

Q: What is the best year Diamante to buy?

The 2004 Mitsubishi Diamante is the best-scoring year in our analysis with a problem score of only 1, meaning 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record.

Q: Which Diamante has the fewest problems?

The 2004, 1999, 1998 model years have the fewest reported problems in the NHTSA database. Always verify a specific vehicle's history with a VIN report before purchasing.

Every Mitsubishi Diamante model year (1992–2004) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Years Tracked

Total Recalls

361

Total Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Mitsubishi Diamante Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

2002

1 recall · 87 complaints

6 reported injuries

2 reported deaths

Top issue: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

Problem score: 112

#2 WORST

2001

0 recalls · 52 complaints

3 reported injuries

Top issue: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

Problem score: 58

#3 WORST

1993

0 recalls · 31 complaints

6 reported injuries

Top issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Problem score: 43

Best Mitsubishi Diamante Years to Buy

#1 BEST

2004

0 recalls · 1 complaint

Main area: POWER TRAIN

Problem score: 1

#2 BEST

1999

0 recalls · 13 complaints

Main area: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

Problem score: 13

#3 BEST

1998

0 recalls · 18 complaints

Main area: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

Problem score: 20

Found the right year? Verify that specific Diamante with a free VIN report.

Mitsubishi Diamante — Year-by-Year Problem Report

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Injuries	Deaths	Problem Score	Verdict
2004	0	1	—	—	1	Excellent
2003	0	36	—	—	36	Good
2002	1	87	6	2	112	Avoid
2001	0	52	3	—	58	Caution
2000	0	28	5	—	38	Good
1999	0	13	—	—	13	Good
1998	0	18	1	—	20	Good
1997	0	30	—	—	30	Good
1996	0	0	—	—	0	Excellent
1995	0	9	6	—	21	Good
1994	0	24	5	—	34	Good
1993	0	31	6	—	43	Caution
1992	0	32	3	—	38	Good

All 13 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.

Mitsubishi Diamante Shopping Guide by Era

Pre-2013

Proceed with Caution

Older Diamante models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year Diamante should I avoid?+

Avoid the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante if possible. It has 1 recall, 87 owner complaints, and 2 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 112 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year Diamante to buy?+

The 2004 Mitsubishi Diamante is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 1. It has only 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.

Which Diamante has the fewest problems?+

The 2004, 1999, 1998 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.

More Mitsubishi Diamante Research

Reliability Score

Overall reliability rating and score breakdown for the Mitsubishi Diamante.

Common Problems

Full breakdown of every reported defect for the Mitsubishi Diamante.

Check a Specific Mitsubishi Diamante VIN

Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.

Run a Free VIN Report →