ChryslerCirrus19962.4L/chrysler/cirrus/1996/2-4l/
JA platform

1996 Chrysler Cirrus — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Cirrus 2.4L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.4LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1996 Chrysler Cirrus is a passenger car built on Chrysler's JA platform and powered by a 2.4L engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy of 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined while running on 5W-30 API oil with a 5-quart capacity including filter. With 194 total owner complaints and 11 recalls — the top complaint area being Engine & Engine Cooling — the 1996 model year sits in the middle of the Cirrus's 1994–2001 production run, which saw complaints peak dramatically at 489 in the inaugural 1995 year before tapering to a single complaint by 2001, suggesting that while this model year represents a significant improvement over the troubled launch year, it still carries enough engine-related issues to warrant careful attention from any researcher evaluating the platform's reliability trajectory.

Model year200019991998199719961995

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/26/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 75 · 510 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Battery groupBCI 75 · 510 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-65HR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04882141AB discontinued
Fuel filter04897244AA discontinued
Spark plug68303953AA alt 68304272AA
BatteryBB75F101AA
Front wiper blades05012357AB discontinued · alt 05018262AA
Serpentine belt04663182AC discontinued · alt 04573737AC
ThermostatMD194988 discontinued · alt P5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height52.8 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3148 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 26 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume96 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings38 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts100 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts69 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-21.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsM8 Bolts: 10 ft-lbs, M10 Bolts: 30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)950 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)350 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.51-.61 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,500-13,500 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.75 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-10
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number75
Standard BCI Cranking Performance510 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 PSI.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)48.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.35 in / 0.9 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
125 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
250 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
350 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
490 degrees.90 degrees

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 60,000 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 Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (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.

The Chrysler Cirrus generation experienced a massive spike in federal complaints during its inaugural 1995 model year (489) before sharply declining to 194 complaints in the 1996 target year. Although complaints dropped significantly in 1996, the recall volume remained identical to 1995 at 11, and Technical Service Bulletins stayed elevated at 98, suggesting ongoing manufacturer efforts to rectify early-generation flaws. The primary 1996 complaint areas were Engine & Engine Cooling (36), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (21), Power Train (20), and Suspension (17), alongside 10 crash and 5 fire complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes. Sitting just past the generation's peak crisis year, 1996 represents a transitional point where overall dissatisfaction decreased but significant mechanical vulnerabilities clearly persisted. Given the persistently high recall and TSB counts alongside substantial powertrain and brake complaints, the 1996 Cirrus is a risky purchase unless all 11 recalls and relevant service bulletins are thoroughly documented as completed by a previous owner.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
98
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
194
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 5 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 194 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling36
Service Brakes, Hydraulic21
Power Train20
Suspension17
Electrical System15
Steering15
Vehicle Speed Control12
Structure7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E056000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball JointReported 09/10/2009

QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE… Remedy: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.

10E059000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower ArmReported 27/12/2010

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE… Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 98 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…
31003192019-11-20StructureUse of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31-006-192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

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 Cirrus. 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 1996 Cirrus 2.4L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1996 Cirrus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.