The heater core. I start smelling an antifreeze smell inside the car then the check engine soon light came on. Also the tcl is on. The dealer said that it is a wheel sensor that will run me $625. The heater core is $1,200. Every one that I talk to on the email sight is having the same problem. Please help! thanks.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

Started smelling "maple syrup" in passenger compartment. Windows were fogging up easily. This was confirmed by dealer to be the heater core leaking antifreeze, and service cost $1,100.

- Morristown, NJ, USA

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante heater core leakage.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

The windshield fogs up for no reason and I am not able to defog it. It is very hard to see any time the heat is on. I am told it may be the heater core.

- Portland, OR, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante. The check engine light began illuminating, the heater coil was leaking, and the windows were steaming. The contact smelled a foul odor coming from the vehicle. A mechanic diagnosed that the heater core needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 67,800 and current mileage was 67,990.

- Gardner, MA, USA

Windshield fog, sweet syrup smell.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante 65K miles. Failure of heater core/ heater core gaskets/ O-rings. Windshield will not defog, strong coolant odor and residue on windshield and side windows. Resulted in dangerously low visibility while driving. Windshield too foggy for safe driving. Strong smell of antifreeze in passenger compt. Had to open windows in sub freezing temp to get fresh air to passenger compt while driving. Cost to repair estimated $800-$1100. Problem appears to be widespread based on complaints filed at this NHTSA site as some complaints are categorized under different component names but have same problem descriptions. Greater than 60 complaints by my count for 2002 model year alone on relatively low number of vehicles sold in us.

- North Augusta, SC, USA

My heater core requires replacement. A few weeks ago my windshield became hazy and difficult to defrost. I did not realize it was from toxic anti-freeze leaking into the car.

- Columbia, MO, USA

Heater core - the air that comes out the vent when I turn my heater on, smells like antifreeze. My windows fog up and I work at night. Its kind of hard to keep wiping down the windshield consistently with my hand while driving.

- Palatka, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante. While driving 45 mph, the contact noticed leakage on the inside of the vehicle. In addition, she was unable to see out of the windshield due to the fog. The dealer stated that there was an A/C evaporator was cracked and they made the replacement. The contact stated that the failure occurred again immediately after the replacement. The dealer stated that the heater core caused the failure and they have replaced it on five occasions however, the failure continued to occur. As a result, the vents would disperse anti-freeze inside the vehicle when the heater or defroster was activated. As of January 2, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 100 and current mileage was 65,000.

- Swansea, MA, USA

02 Diamante with approx 42, 000 ml - upon starting the car the front window begins fogging up and the entire car then fills with steam that is sweet but overwhelming. It gets so bad it is nearly impossible to see out the front windshield and then the smell overwhelms you within about 5-10 minutes forcing the driver to pull over or drive with the windows down (not easy at 18 deg outside and 2 kids under 5 in the back). Symptoms indicate that this is a heater core problem that dealers are aware of and is a very common problem that they see approx 2-3 times a month with a charge of $1000 - $1400 to fix and that if not fixed then the main computer for the car would short out. So just looking at 1 dealer low end numbers: 2 heater cores per month * $1200= $2400*12months = $28,800 a year per dealer for a known problem. Also medically speaking breathing anti-freeze may cause irritation of the nose and throat with headache, particularly from mists. High vapor concentrations caused, for example, by heating the material in an enclosed and poorly ventilated workplace, may produce nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and irregular eye movements. For healthy people this is problem what about those with compromised immune systems.

- Bunker Hill, WV, USA

Fall of 2007, noticed increased fogging of windows that did not go away with defroster, fresh air. Began to smell sweet, syrupy smell. November 07, heat refused to work, checked antifreeze level, very low. Windows continuing to not be cleared. Oily film covering windows. Currently, I have not had complete failure of heater or computer module. I have researched this problem on the Diamante owners web site. My problems mirror exactly as fellow posters. November 29, 2007, I pulled back the carpet to inspect computer module and heater core area, there is gunky green ooze on the floor and on the computer module. I am currently in the position of researching the best way to have problem fixed, whether at the dealer, another auto shop, or self repair.

- Ossian, IN, USA

I have a heater core failure in my 2002 Diamante. I now have antifreeze leaking into my passenger side floor. I have an antifreeze smell and smoke coming from the vents in the car. I got low on antifreeze and almost overheated on the belt parkway. It is very hard to see at night because windows will fog up and defroster makes problem worse. I have been told the cars computer is positioned under the heater core so I have to hope I do not have a computer issue as my service light has gobne on as well> I have had to replace 3 engine sensors in the last few months ( the heater core issue could be the root cause). This is a very serious situation and needs to be addressed. I see alot of the complaints for this model are for this issue. There are many people with this issue.

- Brooklyn , NY, USA

I have a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante. I have kept regular maintenance. I am submitting this form because of a heater core issue I am having. However I have had the following problems with this car. All these problems seem to be recurring problems that happen to many people with this model. At least that is what I find when I search the issues on the internet 1- vibration in steering wheel --this happened multiple times after taking car back to dealer-it appears there is a known issue with the rotors in this car. After having the rotors cut twice by the dealer with no long lasting success. I had to have the brakes and rotors replaced by a mechanic ( car had less the 10,000 miles when issue started happening) 2- rusted muffler--not sure if this issue happens often but after 23,000 miles I had to have my muffler replaced because there was a hole rusted through the top of it-I was told this could happen for not using the car very much in the winter time( road salt can cause the rust) 3- heater core- I know have a heater core problem in this car. I have antifreeze leaking in passenger compartment. I have an antifreeze smell in the cabin of the car. My windows fog and the defroster will not clear the windshield ( makes it worse). I am low in antifreeze because of this. My service engine light has now come on and I am told this can be caused by leaking antifreeze onto the computer which is positioned under the heater core. This issue is widely reported on the internet in many forums and seems everybody with a Diamante will eventually have this problem. I am being told this repair can cost over 1,000 dollars 4-I have had to replace 3 sensors in the engine 2 egr and 1 idle sender (cost around 1,500 dollars). This may or may not be because of the heater core issues causing the cars computer to fail.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

Symptoms: Constant nauseating smell like "burnt syrup" inside cabin, fogging of windshield on dry, warm weather day. From the many other complaints filed with NHTSA, this is a classic heater core failure. Why has there not been a recall issued? this is potential serious health and vehicle operation safety issue!

- Carmel, IN, USA

Heating core going bad, window shield fogs up and cannot wipe ways easily, vapors coming from under dash, syrup smell is strong and only when heat is on.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Complaint description: Noticed faint smell of anti freeze approximately 9 months ago. Had problems with defroster clearing windows. Also, seemed to get better (or maybe I got used to the smell). Now noticed passenger side floor carpet is soaked with anti freeze. Obviously a problem with the heater core or the hose(s) which connect to it are leaking. Car has 55000 miles, and is well maintained. I called local Mitsubishi dealer to schedule a repair. Hoping they can repair this at little or no cost to me as this is an obvious defect in parts or installation. All local Mitsubishi dealer said that this will cost we about $1200. I see alot of complaint of this type should this be a recall?

- Henrietta, NY, USA

Bad heater core, leaking O-rings.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Had trouble defrosting windshield, build up of film on windshield, antifreeze on passenger side floor, headaches.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Car cabin has strong odor of antifreeze when using the heater. Windows have difficulty de-fogging and after contacting service department, was told that it would be over $1000 to fix. As I dug deeper into my problem, I found that I am not the only owner of my vehicle that has had this problem, and my repair forum had this link to file a report.

- Northborough, MA, USA