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1992 Pontiac LeMans

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

Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1992 Pontiac LeMans calls for 4 qt of 5W‑30 API oil and is mated to a three‑speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined. It recorded 25 owner complaints that year—its lowest total in the 1990‑1993 span, with seat‑belt issues leading the list and two recalls issued—compared with the 1991 model’s 34 complaints. This positions the 1992 LeMans as a relative reliability improvement for the line.

Model year199319921991198919881981198019791978

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/29/25 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 12731175. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 filter12731175
Engine air filter93152971 discontinued
Fuel filter25171792 discontinued
Spark plug05613932
Front wiper blades90449728 discontinued
Thermostat03038094 alt 90096383

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 29 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4 qt 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 qt
Power Steering FluidUSE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 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.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Shift Linkage (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · PCV System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

In 1992 the LeMans recorded 25 federal complaints, 2 recalls, 2 investigations and 2 TSBs, which is below the 34 complaints and 3 recalls seen in 1991 and the 34 complaints reported in 1993. The complaint distribution shows seat belts accounting for 11 of the 25 reports, followed by service brakes hydraulic at 3, and power train and exterior lighting each at 2. Crash‑related complaints numbered 2 while fire‑related complaints were zero, indicating no fire incidents reported for that model year. Compared with the surrounding years, 1992 represents the low point of the complaint arc, suggesting fewer documented problems than the peak years of 1991 and 1993. Therefore, from a federal record perspective the 1992 Pontiac LeMans appears to be the most favorable year to purchase, assuming other factors are favorable.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
2
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
25
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 25 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Power Train2
Exterior Lighting2
Seats1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Exterior Lighting,Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Electrical System,Seat Belts1
Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E043000Fuel System, GasolineReported 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION…

94V248000Seat Belts:Front:WebbingReported 23/12/1994

INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION IN THE GUIDE TRACK RAIL IN WHICH THE SHOULDER BELT CARRIER MOVES CAUSING A CHATTERING NOISE, MOMENTARY BINDING WHILE TRAVELING, CYCLING BACK AND FORTH, OR STOPS COMPLETELY. Remedy: DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1300890092013-09-01Engine And Engine CoolingExpanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
5881011995-02-01Seat BeltsCHATTERING, BINDING OR INCOMPLETE/REPEAT TRAVERSE OF SHOULDER BELT ON PASSIVE RESTRAINT…

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 LeMans. 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.

Vehicles taking 4 qtEngine oil filter 12731175Engine air filter 93152971Fuel filter 25171792Spark plug 05613932

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1992 LeMans take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1992 LeMans have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the LeMans get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg.