BMW735IL1992Overview/bmw/735il/1992/base/
E32 platform

1992 BMW 735IL

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1992 735IL.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1992 BMW 735IL is built on the E32 platform with a four-speed automatic transmission and EPA estimates of 14/20/16 mpg, specifying a 6.1-quart oil capacity filled with 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ viscosity. Set against a 1990–1992 model complaint history that records 1990 as both the highest and lowest year at one complaint, the 1992 model accounts for six total owner complaints across three recalls, with engine and engine cooling standing as the top complaint category. That placement yields a defined but narrow reliability profile rooted in a small, documented set of owner-reported engine concerns.

Model year19921991199019891988

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/20/16 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 11429063138. 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 filter11429063138
Engine air filter13721707021
Fuel filter13321268231
Spark plug12129061869
Front wiper blades61618355052 alt 61618361475
Serpentine belt11231709638 alt 64551716960
Thermostat11531710953 alt 11531265084
Cabin air filter64311390836

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length197.6 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase116.1 in
Curb weight3836 lb

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 20 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume105 cu ft
Cargo volume13 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 6.1 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.9 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.1 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Every 60,000 miOxygen Sensor (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.

Across the 1990 to 1992 model years, federal records show recall activity increased from one to two and remained stable at two for the 1992 model year. Although the year-by-year federal record lists zero complaints for 1992, the target year data highlights Engine & Engine Cooling as the primary concern with three reports, alongside single instances involving latches, electrical systems, and seats. Safety data for this specific year indicates zero crash complaints but does record one fire complaint. This positions the 1992 model at the end of a three-year cycle with consistent recall levels and low annual federal complaint volume. Given the steady recall activity and specific engine-related reports, buyers should prioritize verifying the cooling system history and recall completion status. Therefore, this model year is a viable option only if the cooling system and open recalls are thoroughly verified prior to acquisition.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
2
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
6
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 6 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling3
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Electrical System1
Seats1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

96V110000Air Bags:FrontalReported 01/07/1996

THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.

96V111000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 01/07/1996

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
MSG10161996-10-01Exterior LightingRECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW

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 735IL. 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 735IL take?

6.1 qt of HIGH PERFORMANCE MINERAL OILS: ABOVE 5 degrees F: 15W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, -5 degreesF TO 68 degrees F: 10W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, 5 degreesF TO 50 degrees F: 10W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 32 degrees F:, per the factory manual.

Does the 1992 735IL have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 735IL get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.