Model year guide

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 11 on record.

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints69
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$1,920

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante recalls 2

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #04V428000 · 01/09/2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Fix: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPE…

Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual NHTSA Campaign #04V067000 · manufacturer #SR-04-002 · 11/02/2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION FOR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM (CRS) TETHER STRAP.

Fix: A LETTER OUTLINING THE PROBLEM WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ALONG WITH A STICKER CONTAINING THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO AFFIX THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,550
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume96 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante worth?

Low
$600
Typical price
$1,920
High
$5,599

From 10 comparable 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,750
Fuel only$22,750
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 32

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 32.

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

Bulletin DEALER LETTER · Equipment · Jul 2023

This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.

Bulletin TSB-23-00-004 · Structure · Apr 2023

This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (…

Bulletin TSB-23-00-001 · Equipment · Apr 2023

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

Bulletin DEALER LETTER · Equipment · Apr 2023

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.

Bulletin TSB-22-54-003 · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2022

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Bulletin TT253 · Equipment · Nov 2019

This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.

Bulletin TSB-19-00-008 · Equipment · Jul 2019

This is a message sent to dealers, to inform them that an update for MEDIC will be available.

Bulletin MEDICUpdate517 · Equipment · Feb 2018

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Bulletin TT237 · Equipment · Feb 2018

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Bulletin TT218 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Wheels, Power Train · Aug 2015

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the DIAMANTE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Mitsubishi Diamante

The Mitsubishi Diamante is an automobile that was manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors from 1990 to 2005. The first series was a hardtop introduced to the public at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1989. It went on sale in Japan exclusively in May 1990 and won that year's Japan Car of the Year award. It was created by splicing an extra 6.6 cm (2.6 in) right down the middle of the Mitsubishi Galant, which itself had won the Japan Car of the Year award in 1987. The Diamante's platform was also used for the sporty Mitsubishi 3000GT.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante trims & engines on record

Trims
LS · VR-X · X · F/G
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante vehicles on record

Other Mitsubishi Diamante model years

2003 Mitsubishi Diamante — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante?

Across all 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are visibility, engine and engine cooling, power train.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante get?

The 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway).

How much is a 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante worth?

Comparable 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante listings run roughly $600–$5,599, typically around $1,920 (from 10 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.