ChryslerLHS19943.5L/chrysler/lhs/1994/3-5l/
LH platform

1994 Chrysler LHS — 3.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 LHS 3.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1994 Chrysler LHS is a passenger‑car built on the LH platform and equipped with a 3.5‑liter engine that requires 5.5 qt of 10W‑30 API oil with a filter change, and it features an automatic four‑speed transmission. Its EPA‑rated fuel economy is 16/24/19 mpg. During its production span from 1993 to 2004 the model recorded 412 owner complaints in 1994 — the highest year — mainly in the fuel system, gasoline category, and it suffered four recalls, whereas the lowest complaint year, 2003, logged only one complaint.

Model year19991997199619951994

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/24/19 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 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Tail / brake / turnLIGHTOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04573031 discontinued
Fuel filter04554040 discontinued
Spark plug68304020AA
Front wiper blades04723444 alt 04746318
Serpentine beltB0015545 discontinued · alt 04573013AD
Thermostat04573560AE discontinued · alt 04781661AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length207.5 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase113 in
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume108 cu ft
Cargo volume18 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent published road-test results.

8.8–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.80 sec — 1994 Sedan
214 hpHorsepower (as tested)
221 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1994Sedan 3.5L V68.80 sec16.60 sec214 hpFWD
1994Sedan 3.5L V69.10 sec16.90 sec214 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidMS-5931

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; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 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.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Automatic Seat Belt Track (lubricate) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1994 the Chrysler LHS saw a sharp spike to 412 complaints, the highest in the decade, while recalls remained low at four. The year‑by‑year trend shows a steep rise from 1993 (2 complaints) to 1994, followed by a gradual decline through 1996 and a significant drop to only three complaints by 1998, with only a modest uptick again in 1999. The 1994 complaints were dominated by fuel system (71), power train (42), engine cooling (41), and service brakes (26), indicating a concentration of mechanical issues rather than widespread safety concerns. With 18 crash‑related and 16 fire complaints, the 1994 model year sits at the peak of the complaint arc, suggesting that a vehicle from this year is more likely to encounter problems than those from surrounding years. Given the high volume of reported issues, 1994 is not an ideal year to purchase a used LHS unless the vehicle has been thoroughly inspected and repaired.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
71
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
10
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
412
Owner complaints
18 involved a crash · 16 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 412 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline71
Power Train42
Engine & Engine Cooling41
Service Brakes, Hydraulic26
Electrical System25
Suspension21
Steering20
Structure20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

99V215000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower ArmReported 09/08/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BRACKETS CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE CRADLE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE ENGINE CRADLE AT THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO IT.

94V024000Electrical System:WiringReported 08/02/1994

THE RIGHT STEERING TIE ROD CAN RUB THROUGH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH RESULTS IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING AND AN INOPERATIVE PARK/STARTER… Remedy: INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS BRACKET AND A PLASTIC CONVOLUTED SLEEVE TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 71 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
230272016-08-23Electrical SystemReturn: Wiring Assy - Engine You have been identified as either having stock, or have…
231372016-08-22EquipmentInspect and Return: Trim Cover Assy - A-Pillar Rt/Lt You have been identified as either…
231042016-08-22Equipment05182535AD - Lamp Assy ?Tail Light LT You have been identified as either having stock, or…
202442016-08-18EquipmentCBXDP361AA Return: Spacer Kit - Visor You have been identified as either having stock, or…
Volume 2, Issue2016-08-18EquipmentWarranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations

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

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VIN
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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 1994 LHS 3.5L take?

5.5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 LHS have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 3.5L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.