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1992 Subaru SVX

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

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1992 Subaru SVX is a grand‑touring coupe equipped with a 4‑speed automatic transmission and an engine that requires 6.5 qt of 5W‑30 API oil. It returns EPA ratings of 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg. Owner‑reported complaints peak at 245 for this model year — the highest of the 1990‑1997 run — with the power‑train cited as the leading issue and no recalls issued, placing the 1992 SVX at the top of the model’s complaint curve.

Model year1995199419931992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.9 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height51.2 in
Wheelbase102.8 in
Curb weight3583 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 23 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the SVX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.6–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 1992 LS Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1992LS Coupe 3.3L F-67.60 sec15.70 sec230 hpAWD
1992LS Coupe 3.3L F-68.00 sec16.00 sec230 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid80W-90 · GL-5

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Hill Holder System (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Power Booster Unit (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)

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 Subaru SVX is a significant statistical outlier in the federal record, recording 245 complaints compared to only 3 in 1990 and 4 in 1993. While the generation shows a consistent trend of zero recalls and zero investigations, the 1992 model year experienced a sharp, isolated spike in reported issues. This surge is primarily driven by the Power Train, which accounts for 179 complaints, though the data does not specify the root cause. Other 1992 reports include 8 suspension complaints, 6 electrical system complaints, 4 crash complaints, and 1 fire complaint. Technical Service Bulletins remained relatively stable across the generation, with the 1992 model recording 13. Given the disproportionate volume of power train complaints relative to all other years, 1992 is not a recommended year to buy.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
13
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
245
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’92’93’94’95’96’97

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 245 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train179
Suspension8
Suspension,Power Train7
Electrical System6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Vehicle Speed Control4
Unknown Or Other4
Power Train,Visibility3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 13 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
15-302-222022-08-23EquipmentThis bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as…
01-167-08R2022-08-23EquipmentThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
15-192-22R2022-03-18Electrical SystemThis bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential…
01-167-08R2021-06-17Electrical SystemThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
09-51-08R2021-06-07EquipmentThis bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program…

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 SVX. 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 6.5 qt

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 SVX take?

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

Does the 1992 SVX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the SVX get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.