DodgeMonaco19923.0L/dodge/monaco/1992/3-0l/
BB platform

1992 Dodge Monaco — 3.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1992 Monaco 3.0L.

Engine 3.0LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1992 Dodge Monaco is a BB-platform vehicle driven by a 3.0L engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA-rated 19 combined mpg. Routine servicing for the 3.0L requires 6 quarts of 10W-30 or 10W-40 API oil with a filter, but owners face more significant mechanical concerns with the hydraulic service brakes, which represent the top complaint area among the model's 14 total owner complaints and 3 recalls. Within the short 1990-1992 generation, this positions the 1992 model as a moderate middle ground in the Monaco's reliability trajectory, sitting well below the problematic 46-complaint peak of 1991 yet above the 10-complaint low of 1990.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 10W-40 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 05012967AA. Note the factory engine oil filter, engine air filter, fuel filter, spark plug, front wiper blades, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05012967AA discontinued
Engine air filter04213583AB discontinued
Fuel filter04554038 discontinued
Spark plugSP000RS9YC discontinued
Front wiper blades83505420 discontinued
Serpentine belt04573333 discontinued · alt 04573332
ThermostatJ0261073 discontinued · alt J5505980

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume105 cu ft
Cargo volume17 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 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 / 10W-40 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.4 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 10W-40
Engine Oil Capacity6 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidMS-5931

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

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 at 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 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.

Every 7,500 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 22,500 miWheel Bearing (inspect)
At 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (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 1992 Dodge Monaco marks a clear improvement over the preceding model year: complaints dropped from 46 in 1991 to 14 in 1992, recalls fell from 7 to 3, and investigations decreased from 5 to 3, while TSBs held steady at 10. This suggests that the 1991 model year was the peak of reported issues, and the 1992 year represents a return to a lower, more typical complaint level—though still slightly above the 1990 baseline of 10 complaints. The top complaint areas for 1992 are service brakes (hydraulic) and powertrain, each with three reports, but there were no crash or fire complaints, indicating no immediate safety crisis. The data does not specify root causes for these complaints, so the improvement cannot be attributed to a known fix, but the downward trend is favorable. Overall, the 1992 Monaco is a better buy than the troubled 1991 model, though buyers should still inspect brake and transmission condition due to the remaining complaint volume.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
14
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Power Train3
Seat Belts2
Vehicle Speed Control1
Suspension1
Fuel System, Other1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Fuel System, Gasoline1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

94V006000Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater CoreReported 11/01/1994

THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. Remedy: A COOLANT TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED HEATER CORE FLUID BYPASS VALVE WILL BE INSTALLED.

96V099000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipReported 13/06/1996

THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION. Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
23-014-152015-04-23EquipmentChild Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child…
0800600REV2000-12-29Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
2300800B2000-11-24SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
2308002000-03-03SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
0806002000-02-25Electrical SystemTHIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

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 Monaco. 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 Monaco 3.0L take?

6 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API OR 10W-40 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1992 Monaco have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 3.0L get?

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