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1994 Subaru SVX

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

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1994 Subaru SVX is a performance-oriented vehicle that utilizes the brand's legacy platform with a powertrain paired to a four-speed automatic transmission, and it maintains its engine with 6.5 quarts of 5W-30 API-rated oil; the model achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined, placing it among the less fuel-efficient vehicles of its era. In terms of reliability, the 1994 model year recorded 29 total owner complaints with the Power Train category being the most frequently cited issue, though notably there were zero recalls issued for this model year. When viewed within the broader SVX production span from 1990 to 1997, which saw complaint volumes peak at 245 in 1992 and reach a low of just 2 in 1997, the 1994 model represents a middle period in the nameplate's quality trajectory—substantially improved from the troubled early years but not yet at the refined levels that would characterize the final model years.

Model year1995199419931992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.3 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height51.2 in
Wheelbase102.8 in
Curb weight3580 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

7.6–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 1992 LS Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1992LS Coupe 3.3L F-67.60 sec15.70 sec230 hpAWD
1992LS Coupe 3.3L F-68.00 sec16.00 sec230 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid80W-90 · GL-5

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Hill Holder System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)

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 Subaru SVX sits in a post-spike, mid-run position within the provided federal record: after the anomalous 245 complaints logged for 1992 and the sharp drop to just 4 in 1993, 1994 registers 29 complaints with zero recalls, zero investigations, and 10 TSBs. Complaint volume then drifts downward to 22 in 1995, 3 in 1996, and 2 in 1997, while TSB counts hold steady around 10–11 across the generation and recalls remain absent every year. Within 1994, power-train issues dominate with 21 of the 29 complaints, followed by suspension at 3, plus one each for vehicle speed control and tires; the data does not specify root causes. The single crash complaint and zero fire complaints keep the safety signal relatively muted. Compared with the 1992 outlier, 1994 looks considerably calmer, though it still carries more reported complaints than 1993 or any later year shown. For a buyer, 1994 is a reasonably acceptable model year to consider, but it should be inspected carefully for power-train condition given that category's outsized share of complaints.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
29
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’92’93’94’95’96’97

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 29 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Power Train21
Suspension3
Vehicle Speed Control1
Tires1
Power Train,Unknown Or Other1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Vehicle Speed Control1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
15-302-222022-08-23EquipmentThis bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as…
01-167-08R2022-08-23EquipmentThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
15-192-22R2022-03-18Electrical SystemThis bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential…
01-167-08R2021-06-17Electrical SystemThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
09-51-08R2021-06-07EquipmentThis bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program…

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 SVX. 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 6.5 qt

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 1994 SVX take?

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

Does the 1994 SVX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the SVX get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.