HondaAccord1996Overview/honda/accord/1996/base/

1996 Honda Accord

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1996 Honda Accord, a midsized passenger car built on Honda’s well‑known platform, comes equipped with a 4‑quart oil capacity that recommends 5W‑30 API oil for optimal engine protection. This model year is notable for its relatively modest reliability profile, with a total of 499 owner complaints and only 13 recalls, although the most common issue reported was air‑bag related. Situated toward the lower end of the Accord’s complaint spectrum, the 1996 year sits comfortably between the 2003 peak of 2,013 complaints and the 2022 low of 213, indicating a period of improved durability within the long‑running family sedan’s history.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820171996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 500 CCA battery. 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 24 · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP185-70R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.6 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight2965 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.1 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

8.5–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 1995 LX V-6 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1995LX V-6 Sedan 2.7L V68.50 sec16.50 sec170 hpFWD
1995EX V-6 Sedan 2.7L V68.80 sec16.80 sec170 hpFWD
1997LX V-6 Sedan 2.7L V68.80 sec16.80 sec170 hpFWD
1994EX Sedan 2.2L I-49.40 sec17.00 sec145 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Steps2
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.45-.55 VTEC ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance16,800-25,200 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.30-1.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.30-5.30 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)38.0-46.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)30.0-37.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket54 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle28 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
372.3

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 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.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Antilock Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 90,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Water Pump (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.

In 1996 the Accord saw 499 complaints and 13 recalls, a slight dip from the 599 complaints and 14 recalls of 1995 but still higher than the 220 complaints of 1990. The recall count remained relatively stable through the mid‑1990s, with 12 recalls in 1992 and 13 in 1996, before rising sharply to 19 in 1998. This places 1996 near the bottom of the recall trend for that generation, suggesting fewer widespread safety issues than later years. Complaints in 1996 were dominated by air‑bag (94) and engine cooling (80) concerns, with only 55 crash and 4 fire complaints, indicating that the most common problems were mechanical rather than catastrophic. Given the moderate complaint level, low recall frequency, and relatively few safety‑critical complaints, 1996 remains a solid year to consider for a used Accord.

13
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
80
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
499
Owner complaints
55 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 499 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags94
Engine & Engine Cooling80
Service Brakes, Hydraulic56
Electrical System29
Power Train22
Vehicle Speed Control22
Tires20
Visibility19

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 13 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E060000Exterior LightingReported 29/06/2006

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 80 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
070120042004-07-01Engine And Engine CoolingPOOR A/C COOLING DURING HARD ACCELERATION. *EH
050120042004-05-01EquipmentAUDIO UNIT AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT CODES AVAILABLE ON INTERACTIVE NETWORK. *NM
4042004-04-16EquipmentAUDIO, ANTI-THEFT CODES. HONDA. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT
2042004-02-16StructureWATER LEAK AT DOORS AND/OR FLOOR. *NM
110120032003-11-01Engine And Engine CoolingHEATER BLOWER MOTOR GETS HOT OR BLOWS A FUSE. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT

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 Accord. 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 Accord take?

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

Does the 1996 Accord have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.