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1992 Ford Mustang

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1992 Ford Mustang is classified as a passenger car, with engine service specifications calling for 4.0 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. Across the model's complaint history spanning 1990 through 2026, this year's 78 owner complaints—primarily centered on the electrical system—fall well below the 868-complaint peak recorded in 2005, placing it in the quieter tier of the Mustang's reliability record. With five recalls on file, the 1992 model year represents a comparatively low-complaint period, meaning that while electrical issues drew the most owner attention, the overall problem volume remained modest relative to the model's more troubled years.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920181992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

ThermostatRT1106 alt RT1052

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.5 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height52 in
Wheelbase100.4 in
Curb weight2965 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

6.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 1992 LX Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1992LX Coupe 5.0L V86.20 sec14.80 sec225 hpRWD
1994GT Coupe 5.0L V86.10 sec14.90 sec215 hpRWD
1994GT Coupe 5.0L V86.70 sec15.10 sec215 hpRWD
1994GT Coupe 5.0L V86.70 sec15.20 sec215 hpRWD
1994GT Coupe 5.0L V86.90 sec15.40 sec215 hpRWD
1994GT Convertible 5.0L V87.80 sec15.90 sec215 hpRWD
1994V6 Coupe 3.8L V68.30 sec16.50 sec145 hpRWD
1994V6 Coupe 3.8L V69.90 sec16.80 sec145 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 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

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; 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 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miPCV Valve (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
Every 100,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)

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 Ford Mustang sits at the lowest point of the early-generation complaint arc, dropping from 114 complaints in 1990 and 96 in 1991 down to just 78, before the figures spike to 132 in 1993 and eventually peak at 701 in 1995. For the 1992 model specifically, electrical issues dominate the record with 29 reports, followed by airbags (9) and hydraulic brakes (7), while the data also logs 21 fire complaints and 12 crash complaints without specifying root causes. Although recalls remain steady at five, technical service bulletins (TSBs) climbed from 37 in 1990 to 55 in 1992, indicating active manufacturer refinements. Because it represents the statistical floor for federal complaints prior to the generation's steep quality decline, the 1992 Mustang is a relatively sound used buy within this era, provided you thoroughly inspect the electrical system and brakes.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
55
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
78
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 21 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 78 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System29
Air Bags9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
Power Train6
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Steering4
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Exterior Lighting2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 55 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
167142003-03-01Engine And Engine CoolingFOR ALL OBDI VEHICLES THAT USE THE .5V DPFE SENSOR, A 1.0V SENSOR IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY…
022082002-10-14EquipmentCLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH
021762002-09-02Exterior LightingLAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ
02142002-01-21Engine And Engine CoolingSOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO…
011812001-09-17Power TrainBRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB

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 Mustang. 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 4.0 qtThermostat RT1106

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1992 Mustang take?

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

Does the 1992 Mustang have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.