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1994 Mercury Capri

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 Capri.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1994 Mercury Capri, equipped with a 5W‑30 API‑rated powerplant that holds 3.7 qt of oil, represents the final year of a model line. Mated to an Automatic 4‑spd transmission, it achieved EPA fuel ratings of 20/24/21 mpg. Owner complaint records show only three total grievances for the 1994 model, the lowest tally in the 1991‑1994 span, with the sole recall centered on Vehicle Speed Control. Its complaint profile marks a sharp decline from the 40 grievances recorded in 1991, underscoring improved reliability in the model’s last year.

Model year1994 1993 1992 1991 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy20/24/21 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	20 / 24 / 21 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.7 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 15,000 mi.

At 5,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV Valve (replace)
At 120,000 mi	Transmission 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.

The 1994 model year represents the culmination of a steep downward trajectory across the 1991–1994 dataset, with consumer complaints plummeting to just 3 from a generational high of 40, while recalls stabilized at one per year since 1992 and investigations remained absent after 1991. Technical service bulletins dropped by more than half to 10 in 1994, down from 21–22 in preceding years, suggesting diminished service activity as the platform aged. This target year records minimal complaint dispersion across three single-count categories—Vehicle Speed Control, Engine & Engine Cooling, and Visibility—with zero crash complaints but one fire complaint on file. Given the lowest complaint volume in the four-year federal record and the absence of investigations, 1994 offers the most favorable ownership risk profile of this generation for a used car purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’91 ’92 ’93’94

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Vehicle Speed Control1

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Visibility1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07V336000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 03/08/2007

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
02176	2002-09-02	Exterior Lighting	LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ
01181	2001-09-17	Power Train	BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB
01157	2001-08-06	Unknown Or Other	INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
0015	2000-01-10	Power Train	INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
99196	1999-09-20	Equipment	INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE…

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 Capri. 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 3.7 qt

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1994 Capri take?

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

Does the 1994 Capri have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Capri get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg.