Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Sebring 2.0L.
The 1996 Chrysler Sebring 2.0L is a passenger car built on the FJ platform, powered by a 2.0L engine mated to an automatic 4-speed transmission, and it returns EPA fuel economy of 18 city, 27 highway, and 21 combined mpg. Among its standout specifications, the engine requires 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with a filter change. In the model’s complaint history spanning 1995 to 2013, the 1996 model year recorded the highest number of total owner complaints at 483, with suspension as the top complaint area and 15 recalls, marking it as the most problematic year in the Sebring’s reliability record.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.
| Engine oil filter | 05281090AB |
| Engine air filter | MB906051 discontinued · alt 04882141AB |
| Fuel filter | 04897244AA discontinued · alt MR188221 |
| Spark plug | 68303953AA alt 68304272AA |
| Battery | BB75F101AA alt BB86F101AA |
| Front wiper blades | 04723444 alt 04746318 |
| Serpentine belt | 04668223 alt 04668240 |
| Thermostat | MD194988 discontinued · alt P5278144AA |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 187.4 in |
| Overall width | 69.7 in |
| Overall height | 53.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.9 in |
| Curb weight | 2888 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.4 / 59.1 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 64/36 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 27 / 21 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
No 1996 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | LX Coupe 2.0L I-4 | 8.20 sec | 16.40 sec | 140 hp | FWD |
| 1995 | LX Coupe 2.0L I-4 | 8.60 sec | 16.60 sec | 140 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.5 qt w/ filter |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | M6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 20 ft-lbs |
| Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts | 55.0 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 100 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 105 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 55 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 21 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 16.7 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 17 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 85-115 ft-lbs |
| Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts | 45 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 146-188 coupe ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 145-188 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-2-4 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-2-3-4-5-6 |
| 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 Resistance | 11,500-13,500 ohms |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | Champion |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.033-0.038 in |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.54-1.63 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 56 |
| Oil Capacity | 2.69-4.25 oz |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.54-1.63 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Pressure Test | 23 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 16 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 195 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 48.0-54.0 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum) | 48-54 psi |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 11-15 na ohms |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 13-16 na ohms |
| Torque to Knuckle | 36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs / 65-80 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.003 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.39 in / 0.79 in / 0.94 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.39 in / 0.79 in / 0.94 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.33 in / 0.72 in / 0.88 in |
| 1 | 20 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 20 ft. lbs |
Prep Imports:
| 1 | Long bolts | 24 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Long bolts | 48 ft. lbs |
| 3 | Long bolts | 48 ft. lbs |
| 4 | Long bolts | 90 degrees |
| 5 | Short bolts | 20 ft. lbs |
| 6 | Short bolts | 20 ft. lbs |
| 7 | Short bolts | 20 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 30,000 mi.
| Every 7,500 mi | Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) |
| Every 30,000 mi | Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect) |
| Every 60,000 mi | Drive Belt (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) |
Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith) |
| Why | Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module |
| When needed | After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement |
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool |
| Also required | The vehicle's four-digit PIN code |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Federal data places the 1996 Chrysler Sebring at the apex of reported activity for its generation, with 483 complaints, 15 recalls, and 6 investigations marking substantial increases from the 192 complaints, 5 recalls, and 5 investigations recorded in 1995. While 1997 retained a comparable recall count at 14 and slightly more technical service bulletins at 139 versus 132, both complaint and recall volumes entered a sustained downward trend afterward, dropping to 102 complaints and 6 recalls by 2000. The 1996 record shows the highest complaint concentrations in Suspension (75), Electrical System (40), Power Train (40), and Service Brakes (40), along with 51 crash-related and 14 fire-related complaints, though the federal data does not specify root causes. Positioned at the peak of the generation’s federal-reporting arc, this model year accumulated more complaints and recalls than any other year shown. Consequently, 1996 is statistically the least favorable year of the run to purchase.
All 483 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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…
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING… Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.
Showing 5 of 132 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08-049-20 | 2020-04-22 | Electrical System | Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin… |
| 3100519 | 2019-11-20 | Structure | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with… |
| 3100619 | 2019-11-20 | Structure | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC… |
| 3100319 | 2019-11-20 | Structure | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with… |
| 31-006-19 | 2019-11-20 | Structure | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 15 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined mpg.