<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-12-02</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000949428</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CLEAN DIESEL TECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>cdti</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001246227</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VALENTINE JAMES M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CLEAN DIESEL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>300 ATLANTIC STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>STAMFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06901</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<derivativeTable>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>3.07</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-12-02</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>40000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2003-12-02</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2013-12-02</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>40000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>40000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>1.65</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-06-11</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>80000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2003-06-11</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2013-06-11</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>80000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>80000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>2.90</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2002-03-13</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>100000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2002-03-13</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2012-03-13</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>100000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>100000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>1.965</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2001-03-14</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>60000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2001-03-14</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2011-03-14</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>60000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>60000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>2.50</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2000-02-10</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>75000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2000-02-10</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2010-02-20</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>75000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>75000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>0.90</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>1999-06-14</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>60000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>1999-06-14</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2009-06-14</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>60000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>60000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>2.00</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>1998-06-05</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>7500</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>1998-06-05</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2008-10-28</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>7500</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>7500</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>4.625</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>1997-02-06</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>35000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>1997-02-06</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2007-02-06</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>35000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>35000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>6.82</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>1995-12-26</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>10000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>1995-12-26</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2005-12-26</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>10000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>10000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<remarks></remarks>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>James M. Valentine</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2004-01-13</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

