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1993 Subaru SVX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 SVX.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1993 Subaru SVX carries a 6.5‑qt oil capacity and a 5W‑30 API‑rated engine, mated to an Automatic 4‑spd transmission that delivers EPA‑rated 16/24/19 mpg. In its model year the vehicle generated only four owner complaints, all centered on the power‑train, and it was not subject to any recalls. This low complaint count sits near the bottom of a complaint curve that peaked at 245 in 1992 and fell to just two by 1997, indicating a relatively stable reliability record for that era.

Model year1995 1994 1993 1992

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 economy16/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 24 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium 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

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1992	LS Coupe 3.3L F-6	7.60 sec	15.70 sec	230 hp	AWD
1992	LS Coupe 3.3L F-6	8.00 sec	16.00 sec	230 hp	AWD

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 Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.5 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF
Transfer Case Fluid	80W-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 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Body 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 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	Drive Belt (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.

The 1993 model year represents a dramatic normalization following the anomalous 1992 spike, with complaints plummeting from 245 to just 4—a volume comparable to the inaugural 1990 production and significantly lower than the subsequent 1994-1995 period which saw 29 and 22 complaints respectively. While 1992 stands as an extreme outlier in the generational arc, 1993 returns to baseline reliability with zero recalls and zero investigations recorded against it. The four complaints logged all concern the powertrain, though the federal data does not specify root causes, and notably include zero crash or fire incidents. This production year sits at the trough of the complaint curve between the 1992 peak and the moderate elevation seen in mid-generation years, suggesting the issues driving the previous year's spike were either resolved or not applicable to this specific run. With TSB counts consistent with other model years at 11, the 1993 SVX demonstrates statistical stability that makes it a comparatively sound acquisition within this generation.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 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 4 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Power Train4

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 11 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
15-302-22	2022-08-23	Equipment	This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as…
01-167-08R	2022-08-23	Equipment	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
15-192-22R	2022-03-18	Electrical System	This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential…
01-167-08R	2021-06-17	Electrical System	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
09-51-08R	2021-06-07	Equipment	This bulletin is to advise of SOAâs 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 & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1993 SVX take?

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

Does the 1993 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 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.