ChryslerSebring19962.5L/chrysler/sebring/1996/2-5l/
FJ platform

1996 Chrysler Sebring — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Sebring 2.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

Built on the FJ platform, the 1996 Chrysler Sebring 2.5L is a passenger car powered by a 2.5L engine and 4-speed automatic transmission requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with a filter. While EPA fuel economy ratings stand at 18/25/20 mpg, this model year occupies a distinct position in the vehicle's history from 1995 to 2013 as the peak for owner complaints with 483 reported issues. Researchers should note that Suspension represents the top complaint area among the 15 recalls issued, identifying this vintage as the highest complaint year in the lineup compared to the low of 3 complaints recorded in 2011.

Model year1998199719961995

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/25/20 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 - CONV. · 510 - CONV. 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 Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Battery groupBCI 75 - CONV. · 510 - CONV. CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-55HR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filterMB906051 discontinued · alt 04882141AB
Fuel filter04897244AA discontinued · alt MR188221
Spark plug68303953AA alt 68304272AA
BatteryBB75F101AA alt BB86F101AA
Front wiper blades04723444 alt 04746318
Serpentine belt04668223 alt 04668240
ThermostatMD194988 discontinued · alt P5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.4 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height53.1 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight2888 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
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.

10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.00 sec — 1996 JXi Convertible
163 hpHorsepower (as tested)
170 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1996JXi Convertible 2.5L V610.00 sec17.40 sec163 hpFWD
1998JXi Convertible 2.5L V610.20 sec17.60 sec163 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts55.0 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings38 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts100 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts134 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts134 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsImports:;
Engine Flywheel Bolts69 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts45 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub146-188 coupe ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)300 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.6-0.8 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance12,000-18,000 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.6-0.8 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance12,000-18,000 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.54-1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type56
Oil Capacity2.69-4.25 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.54-1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Pressure Testpsi
Radiator Cap Pressure Reliefpsi
Thermostat Opening Temperature°F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)47.0-51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)38.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-15 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 na ohms

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs / 65-80 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.39 in / 0.79 in / 0.94 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.39 in / 0.79 in / 0.94 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.33 in / 0.72 in / 0.88 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
180 ft. lbs.80 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts
380 ft. lbs.80 ft. lbs

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.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
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 1996 Chrysler Sebring marks a pronounced spike in federal-reported issues within its generation, with complaints surging to 483—more than double the 192 recorded in 1995 and significantly higher than the 326 in 1997. Recalls also peaked at 15, the highest of any model year, while technical service bulletins (TSBs) nearly doubled to 132, signaling widespread component or assembly concerns. This year sits at the apex of a reliability arc, where early production kinks in the first-generation model were most acute, particularly in suspension, electrical systems, and powertrain, which dominate the complaint data. The elevated crash (51) and fire (14) complaints further underscore systemic vulnerabilities not as prevalent in later years. While subsequent model years show a gradual decline in complaints and recalls, the 1996 Sebring’s record reflects a period of heightened quality control challenges. **Concrete takeaway:** Given its outlier status for defects, the 1996 is among the riskiest years to buy in this generation—proceed only with a meticulously documented service history and a thorough pre-purchase inspection.**

15
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
132
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
6
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
483
Owner complaints
51 involved a crash · 14 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 483 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension75
Electrical System40
Power Train40
Service Brakes, Hydraulic40
Structure36
Air Bags30
Engine & Engine Cooling27
Visibility25

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 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…

07E055000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 26/07/2007

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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 132 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 Sebring. 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 Sebring 2.5L take?

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

Does the 1996 Sebring have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 15 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.