Pontiac›Firebird›1992›Overview/pontiac/firebird/1992/base/

1992 Pontiac Firebird

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1992 Pontiac Firebird is a passenger‑car platform that requires 4 quarts of 5W‑30 API engine oil, underscoring its moderate maintenance needs; its fuel system is the most frequently cited complaint, with 30 owner reports and four recalls recorded for that year, positioning it within a broader reliability trend that spans 1990‑2002—where the 1995 model saw a peak of 95 complaints and the 1990 model the lowest at 10—indicating that while the Firebird’s 1992 iteration is not the most problematic, it still reflects the series’ mid‑range reliability profile.

Model year2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 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 Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 filter	12708762 alt 12737090
Engine air filter	25043504 alt 06483645
Fuel filter	25171792 discontinued
Spark plug	19302742 alt 05614168
Front wiper blades	15184702
Thermostat	12514334 alt 10190925

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	195.3 in
Overall width	72.4 in
Overall height	50 in
Wheelbase	101.2 in
Curb weight	3217 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

4.6–10.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.60 sec — 1989 20th Anniversary Trans Am 3-door Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1993	Formula Coupe 5.7L V8	5.50 sec	14.20 sec	275 hp	RWD
1994	Trans Am GT 25th Anniversary Edition Convertible 5.7L V8	6.10 sec	14.60 sec	275 hp	RWD
1989	20th Anniversary Trans Am 3-door Coupe 3.8L Turbo V6	4.60 sec	13.40 sec	250 hp	RWD
1989	Trans Am GTA Coupe 5.7L V8	7.63 sec	16.08 sec	225 hp	RWD
1995	Trans Am Coupe 5.7L V8	5.60 sec	14.00 sec	275 hp	RWD
1995	Formula Convertible 5.7L V8	6.10 sec	14.60 sec	275 hp	RWD
1995	Trans Am V6 Coupe 3.8L V6	7.10 sec	15.50 sec	200 hp	RWD
1996	Trans Am WS6 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.40 sec	14.00 sec	285 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.5 qt
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 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; spark plugs every 30,000 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 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Shift Linkage (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Distributor Cap (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · PCV System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect)
Every 100,000 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.

Compared to 1990's baseline of 10 complaints, 1992's 30 complaints represent a threefold increase but remain slightly below 1991's spike of 32 complaints and four investigations. The model year sits at the beginning of an escalation arc that peaks dramatically in 1994-1995 with 68 and 95 complaints respectively, suggesting 1992 predates the generation's most troubled period. While 1992's recall count drops to 4 from 1991's 5 and investigations fall to 1 from 4, it maintains the same TSB volume (8) as the prior year, with the highest complaint concentration in fuel system and air bag categories. With zero fire complaints and only two crash-related complaints against a backdrop of escalating mid-generation issues, 1992 represents a relatively stable entry point before the documented complaint escalation of 1994-1995. For buyers prioritizing lower complaint volume and pre-escalation production, 1992 offers a favorable position in this generation's lifecycle.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91’92’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 30 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline7

Air Bags4

Structure3

Steering2

Seat Belts2

Electrical System2

Power Train,Electrical System1

Exterior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E043000Fuel System, GasolineReported 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION…

07E088000EquipmentReported 24/10/2007

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 8 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
130089009	2013-09-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
020730024A	2005-08-01	Power Train	DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY…
01697	2004-01-01	Equipment	NO SERIAL DATA COMMUNICATIONS USING THE TECH 1 WITH A 1986 OR NEWER CAMARO, FIREBIRD OR…
990941004	2000-01-01	Air Bags	INFORMATION REGARDING SWITCHES TO TURN OFF AND ON FRONTAL AIR BAGS FOR PASSENGER CARS AND…
990940004	2000-01-01	Seats	GENERAL MOTORS BEGAN PROVIDING CHILD RESTRAIN SEAT TOP TETHER HARDWARE PACKAGES TO…

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 Firebird. 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 qt Engine oil filter 12708762 Engine air filter 25043504 Fuel filter 25171792 Spark plug 19302742

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 1992 Firebird take?

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

Does the 1992 Firebird have open recalls?

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