ChryslerLHS19943.3L/chrysler/lhs/1994/3-3l/
LH platform

1994 Chrysler LHS — 3.3L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 LHS 3.3L. Covers both the standard and High Output 3.3L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.3LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1994 Chrysler LHS is a passenger car situated on the LH platform, powered by a 3.3L engine and an automatic 4-spd transmission requiring 5.5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API oil. This configuration delivers EPA mpg figures of 16/24/19 but occupies a distinct position within the model's 1993-2004 history as the year with the highest total owner complaints at 412, contrasting sharply with the lowest count of 1 in 2003. With 4 recalls and a top complaint area of Fuel System, Gasoline, researchers should view this specific model year as the peak of reported reliability issues for the lineage.

Model year1997199619951994

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/24/19 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 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Tail / brake / turnLIGHTOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04573031 discontinued
Fuel filter04554040 discontinued
Spark plug68304020AA
Front wiper blades04723444 alt 04746318
Serpentine beltB0015545 discontinued · alt 04573013AD
Thermostat04573560AE discontinued · alt 04781661AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length207.5 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase113 in
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume108 cu ft
Cargo volume18 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 5.5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidMS-5931

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 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.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Automatic Seat Belt Track (lubricate) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

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 1994 Chrysler LHS marks a pronounced spike in federal complaints—412, up from just 2 in 1993—while recalls increased modestly from 3 to 4. This surge places 1994 at the peak of the generation’s complaint arc, with subsequent years (19951997) showing a gradual decline, though still elevated compared to pre-1994 levels. Investigations also peaked in 1994 (10), suggesting heightened scrutiny of early-production issues, while TSBs rose slightly, indicating manufacturer responses to emerging patterns. The data doesn’t specify root causes, but the concentration of complaints in fuel systems (71), powertrain (42), and engine cooling (41) implies systemic teething problems in the first full year of production. Fire (16) and crash (18) complaints further underscore reliability concerns. **Takeaway:** The 1994 LHS is the riskiest year to buy within this generation, given its outlier complaint volume and unresolved early-build issues—later model years (1996–1998) offer far better reliability prospects.**

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
71
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
10
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
412
Owner complaints
18 involved a crash · 16 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 412 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline71
Power Train42
Engine & Engine Cooling41
Service Brakes, Hydraulic26
Electrical System25
Suspension21
Steering20
Structure20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

99V215000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower ArmReported 09/08/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BRACKETS CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE CRADLE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE ENGINE CRADLE AT THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO IT.

94V024000Electrical System:WiringReported 08/02/1994

THE RIGHT STEERING TIE ROD CAN RUB THROUGH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH RESULTS IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING AND AN INOPERATIVE PARK/STARTER… Remedy: INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS BRACKET AND A PLASTIC CONVOLUTED SLEEVE TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 71 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
230272016-08-23Electrical SystemReturn: Wiring Assy - Engine You have been identified as either having stock, or have…
231372016-08-22EquipmentInspect and Return: Trim Cover Assy - A-Pillar Rt/Lt You have been identified as either…
231042016-08-22Equipment05182535AD - Lamp Assy ?Tail Light LT You have been identified as either having stock, or…
202442016-08-18EquipmentCBXDP361AA Return: Spacer Kit - Visor You have been identified as either having stock, or…
Volume 2, Issue2016-08-18EquipmentWarranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations

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 LHS. 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 1994 LHS 3.3L take?

5.5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 LHS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.3L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.