DodgeCaravan19923.3L/dodge/caravan/1992/3-3l/
AS platform

1992 Dodge Caravan — 3.3L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1992 Caravan 3.3L.

Body VANEngine 3.3LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1992 Dodge Caravan is an AS-platform van that, in its 3.3L configuration, pairs a 4-speed automatic transmission with fuel economy ratings of 16 city and 21 highway mpg. Maintaining this powertrain demands 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with a filter, a straightforward requirement that belies the vehicle's more problematic reliability record. Amassing 1078 owner complaints and 11 recalls—led by issues with the hydraulic service brakes—the 1992 model sits firmly on the higher end of the Caravan's 1990–2017 complaint spectrum, representing a notably troublesome chapter that falls far short of the best years and nears the peak of 1647 complaints seen in 1996.

Model year201020092008200419931992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/21/18 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factory engine air filter, fuel filter, spark plug, front wiper blades and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 filter04306113 discontinued · alt 04213583AB
Fuel filter04682923 discontinued
Spark plug68305411AA discontinued · alt 68304174AA
Front wiper blades04389350 discontinued
Serpentine beltB0015396 alt 04483174
Thermostat04494470 discontinued · alt MD997310

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height65.4 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight3521 lb

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 21 / 18 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 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

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 15,000 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 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEGR System (inspect) · EGR Valve (replace) · Emission Control System (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 82,500 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

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 Dodge Caravan sits near the peak of a sharp complaint and recall spike that began in 1991, with 1,078 complaints and 11 recalls—both figures significantly higher than the 1990 baseline of 333 complaints and 6 recalls. Complaints continued to rise to 1,140 in 1993 before declining through 1995, while recalls remained elevated through 1992 and then dropped. The 1992 model also logged 14 investigations and 49 TSBs, the latter trending upward across the generation. Its top complaint areas—service brakes (270), seat belts (171), and powertrain (107)—along with 52 crash and 13 fire complaints, indicate widespread safety and reliability issues. Compared to the lower-complaint, lower-recall years that followed (1994–1995), the 1992 Caravan falls in a high-risk period of the generation’s arc. Based solely on this federal record, the 1992 model is not a good year to buy.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
49
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
14
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,078
Owner complaints
52 involved a crash · 13 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,078 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic270
Seat Belts171
Power Train107
Structure82
Engine & Engine Cooling77
Visibility72
Steering64
Latches/Locks/Linkages34

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

97V149000Seat Belts:Front:AnchorageReported 09/09/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. THE CENTER REAR SEAT, RIGHT OUTBOARD SIDE, SAFETY BELT ANCHOR HOOK CAN BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE BODY ANCHOR POSITION. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ANCHOR HOOK RETAINING CLIP WITH A REVISED PROFILE CLIP AND A COVER PLATE.

97V148000Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 09/09/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. COVERS ON THE SOLID STALK MOUNTED SEAT BELT BUCKLES CAN BECOME DISLODGED CAUSING THE RELEASE BUTTON TO STICK INSIDE THE COVER. THE BUCKLE WOULD THEN BE ONLY PARTIALLY LATCHED. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COVER RETAINING CLIP TO THE STALK MOUNTED BUCKLE COVER TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF THE BUCKLE COVER.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 49 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
23-014-152015-04-23EquipmentChild Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child…
18020022002-06-24Unknown Or OtherFLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC
08010012001-05-25Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL…
0800600REV2000-12-29Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
2300800B2000-11-24SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

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 Caravan. 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 Caravan 3.3L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1992 Caravan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.3L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg.