ChevroletCaprice1992Overview/chevrolet/caprice/1992/base/

1992 Chevrolet Caprice

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1992 Chevrolet Caprice is classified as a passenger car, with routine oil service specified at 4.0 quarts of 10W30 API. In the model-line complaint history spanning 1990 to 2011, the 1992 model accumulated 114 owner complaints and 11 recalls, with service brakes/hydraulic emerging as the most frequently reported problem area. That complaint volume sits between the 1994 peak of 196 complaints and the 2003 low of one, marking 1992 as a comparatively moderate year in the Caprice's long-term reliability record.

Model year201420132012199619951994199319921991

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12708762. Note the factory engine air filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 filter12708762 alt 19210286
Engine air filter25097919 discontinued
Fuel filter25121468
Spark plug19302741 alt 19307139
Front wiper blades25689175 discontinued · alt 10283602
Serpentine belt10105245 alt 10208364
Thermostat10207373 alt 10105135

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length214.2 in
Overall width77.2 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase115.7 in
Curb weight3607 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

7.2–12.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 1986 Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1991Classic Sedan 5.0L V810.10 sec17.60 sec170 hpRWD
1991Classic Sedan 5.0L V810.50 sec17.20 sec170 hpRWD
1991Wagon 5.0L V810.50 sec17.70 sec170 hpRWD
1986Wagon 5.7L V87.20 sec15.50 sec170 hpRWD
1982Caprice Classic Sedan 5.0L V812.60 sec18.90 sec150 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 10W30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.3 qt
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilAPI
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt

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; 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 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
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.

Compared with the preceding year, 1992 shows a drop in complaints from 169 to 114 but recalls rise to 11, the highest in the 1990‑1996 span, while investigations fall to 4. The complaint count remains well above the 1990 baseline (6) and the 1993 low (70), placing 1992 in the middle of a volatile period that peaks again in 1994 before a steady decline through 1996 and a sharp improvement in 1997. The top complaint areas for 1992 are service brakes/hydraulic (30), seat belts (13), air bags (13) and electrical system (11), indicating where most owner reports concentrate. Overall, the federal record suggests that 1992 carries higher than average reliability concerns relative to later model years in the generation. Consequently, unless the vehicle is priced to reflect this elevated risk, a 1992 Caprice is a less attractive purchase than examples from 1995‑1997.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
7
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
114
Owner complaints
20 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 114 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic30
Seat Belts13
Air Bags13
Electrical System11
Suspension5
Tires4
Steering4
Vehicle Speed Control4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 7 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
020730024A2005-08-01Power TrainDIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY…
9909410042000-01-01Air BagsINFORMATION REGARDING SWITCHES TO TURN OFF AND ON FRONTAL AIR BAGS FOR PASSENGER CARS AND…
9909400042000-01-01SeatsGENERAL MOTORS BEGAN PROVIDING CHILD RESTRAIN SEAT TOP TETHER HARDWARE PACKAGES TO…
990866002A2000-01-01Latches/Locks/LinkagesTHIS BULLETIN INFORMS DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THE TRAP RESISTANT REAR COMPARTMENT (TRUNK) KIT…
438206A1995-06-01VisibilityUNKNOWN

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 Caprice. 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 Caprice take?

4.0 qt of 10W30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1992 Caprice have open recalls?

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