ChryslerLebaron19922.5L/chrysler/lebaron/1992/2-5l/
AJ platform

1992 Chrysler Lebaron — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1992 Lebaron 2.5L.

Engine 2.5LTransmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1992 Chrysler LeBaron 2.5L rides on the AJ platform, pairing its 2.5-liter engine with a three-speed automatic transmission and returning an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, while the engine takes 4.5 quarts of oil with a filter and accepts 15W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 viscosity. Across the model’s 1990–2003 complaint history, this year recorded 91 owner complaints—predominantly in the powertrain—and two recalls, situating it well before the 1994 peak of 151 complaints and reflecting a relatively moderate reliability standing within the generation.

Model year1995199419931992

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/25/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory spark plug and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04268981 alt 04213583AB
Fuel filter04495781 alt 04495780
Spark plug68305411AA discontinued · alt 68304174AA
Front wiper blades4334667 alt 04389350
Serpentine beltB0015396 alt B0015481AB
ThermostatMD997310 discontinued · alt 04494470

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 25 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.1 qt w/ filter

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAir Bag System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1992 Chrysler Lebaron recorded 91 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 investigation, and 52 TSBs—positioning it as a moderate-complaint year bracketed by a declining-recall trend that would reach zero by 1993. Compared to 1990's 95 complaints and 3 recalls, the 1992 model year shows a manufacturer response in reducing formal recall actions, yet complaint volumes rebounded upward after 1991's 82-case low, foreshadowing the 1994 peak of 151 complaints. TSBs climbed steadily from 48 (1990) to 69 (1995), indicating escalating technical service attention across the generation, with 1992's 52 representing the second-highest density of factory-issued service bulletins in the arc. The top complaint areas—Power Train (16), Electrical System (10), Suspension (10), and Service Brakes (10)—align with chronic issues persisting through the platform's lifecycle, while 10 crash-related and 7 fire-related complaints warrant scrutiny but lack root-cause specification in the data. The 1992 Lebaron sits mid-generation before recall activity ceased entirely, suggesting parts or design refinements were addressed through informal service channels rather than formal defect campaigns. The high TSB count combined with moderate complaints suggests this was a problem-prone but actively serviced model; buyers should prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on the powertrain, electrical, and brake systems, recognizing that 1992 represents neither the worst nor the resolved phase of the platform's known issues.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
52
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
91
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 7 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 91 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train16
Electrical System10
Suspension10
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10
Seats7
Air Bags6
Fuel System, Gasoline5
Latches/Locks/Linkages4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

92V070000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:LatchReported 13/05/1992

THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED AND THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY BE PREVENTED FROM ENGAGING WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED. Remedy: ADJUST THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH TO ALLOW THE LATCH ASSEMBLY TO PROPERLY ENGAGE WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.

92V015000Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle BarReported 14/02/1992

THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT. Remedy: REPLACE THE ZINC PLATED BOLT WITH A PHOSPHATE PLATED BOLT.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Lebaron. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1992 Lebaron 2.5L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 20 degrees F 30W SJ, SL, ABOVE 10 degrees F 15W-40 SJ, SL, ABOVE 0 degrees F 10W-30 SJ, SL, BELOW 32 degrees F 5W-30 SJ, SL, BELOW 100 degrees F 5W-30 SJ, SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 1992 Lebaron have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined mpg.