Toyota4runner1992L4/toyota/4runner/1992/l4/

1992 Toyota 4runner — L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1992 4runner L4.

Engine L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1992 Toyota 4Runner L4 arrives with a four‑cylinder powerplant, an automatic four‑speed transmission, and an EPA rating of 15/19/17 mpg, while calling for 4.4 quarts of 10W‑30 or 5W‑30 oil. Its owner‑feedback record shows 68 total complaints, the majority concerning the Engine & Engine Cooling system, and it was subject to three recalls. When placed against the broader 1990‑2026 complaint timeline—where the worst year (2003) logged 707 issues and the best (2026) only five—the 1992 model sits near the low‑end, indicating a comparatively reliable example of the early‑generation 4Runner.

Model year200019991998199519941993199219911990

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/19/17 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 90915YZZD1. 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 filter90915YZZD1
Engine air filter178017002083 alt 178013502083
Fuel filter2330039035 alt 2330065020
Spark plug9091901064
Front wiper blades85212YZZ09TM
Serpentine belt993321089078 alt 909160219683
Thermostat9091603079 alt 9091603078

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 19 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 Pints
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 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 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect)
At 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
At 80,000 miOxygen Sensor (inspect)
At 120,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

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 Toyota 4Runner recorded 68 complaints, 3 recalls, 2 investigations, and 28 technical service bulletins, which is higher than the 50 complaints in 1991 but lower than the 85 complaints in 1990. Recalls rose slightly from the prior two years (2 each) to 3 in 1992, while investigations dropped from 4 in 1990‑1991 to 2. Compared with the following years, complaints fell to 55 in 1993 before climbing again to 80 in 1994, marking the start of a steep upward trend that continues through the mid‑2000s. Thus, the 1992 model sits just after a low‑complaint dip and precedes the sharp increase seen later in the generation. Taken together, the data suggest the 1992 year offers a relatively moderate complaint profile, making it a reasonable choice for a used purchase.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
28
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
68
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 68 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling18
Service Brakes, Hydraulic18
Vehicle Speed Control6
Electrical System5
Visibility4
Power Train4
Tires3
Steering2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

05V389000Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:ConnectingReported 06/09/2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 28 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB0032202023-08-17Air BagsTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
Toyota PRO19-022022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…
T-SB-0032-20 Rev2021-02-03EquipmentTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
T-SB-0304-17 Obs2020-04-07EquipmentTSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see…
T-SB-0032-202020-04-06EquipmentTSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service…

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 4runner. 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 4runner L4 take?

4.4 qt of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1992 4runner have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the L4 get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 19 highway / 17 combined mpg.