Chrysler›Town and Country›1996›3.8L V6/chrysler/town-and-country/1996/3-8l-v6/

NS platform

1996 Chrysler Town and Country — 3.8L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Town and Country 3.8L V6.

Body VANEngine 3.8L V6Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1996 Chrysler Town and Country is a VAN built on the NS platform and powered by a 3.8L V6 engine paired with an Automatic 4‑spd transmission; it requires 4.5 qt of 5W‑30 API oil with filter and achieves EPA ratings of 15/22/18 mpg. The model records 1,109 total owner complaints and 12 recalls, with fuel‑system issues being the most frequently reported, and its complaint volume falls near the lower end of the model’s 1990‑2018 history, which peaked at 773 complaints in 2011. This early‑year data indicates that the 1996 version experienced comparatively fewer grievances than later model years.

Model year2003 2002 2001 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

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 economy15/22/18 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 Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, spark plug and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Tire sizeP215-65R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB
Engine air filter	04213583AB discontinued
Fuel filter	05140676AA discontinued
Spark plug	68303949AA discontinued
Battery	BB34F101AA alt 82300133
Front wiper blades	05096134AC
Thermostat	04573560AE discontinued · alt 04781661AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	199.6 in
Overall width	75.6 in
Overall height	68.5 in
Wheelbase	119.3 in
Curb weight	4156 lb
Track (front / rear)	63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 22 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

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 oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. 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 Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	40 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	AT: 55 ft-lbs, MT: 70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 8.8 ft-lbs; Lower: 16.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	16.6 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	120 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.45-.65 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	7000-15,800 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	20 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Gap	0.048-0.053 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Optional BCI Group Number	34
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	46.0-50.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	4.2-5.0 na CNG ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure	30-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC BRAKES
Torque to Knuckle	16 ft-lbs / 30 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC BRAKES
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.482 in / 0.939 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

40 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

40 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep M11 x 1.5 bolt Nos. 1-8:

1	45 ft. lbs.	45 ft. lbs
2	65 ft. lbs.	65 ft. lbs
3	65 ft. lbs.	65 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

30 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

30 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 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 52,500 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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 1996 the Town and Country registered 157 fuel‑system complaints, 147 engine‑cooling issues, 119 power‑train problems and 60 air‑bag reports, with 35 crash and 76 fire complaints. Compared to the federal record, the 1996 model sits below the early 1990s peak of 28 complaints and 10 recalls in 1991, but well above the minimal complaints seen in 2017 and 2018. The recall count for 1996 is not listed, but the trend from 1990 to 1991 shows a sharp rise, while later years (2011–2015) exhibit a decline in recalls despite higher complaint volumes. Thus 1996 falls near the high‑complaint period of the generation, indicating recurring issues that were not fully addressed. For a buyer, this year presents a higher risk profile, so unless you can secure a thorough pre‑purchase inspection and a well‑documented maintenance history, it may not be the best choice.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

157

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,109

Owner complaints

35 involved a crash · 76 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’01 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,109 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline157

Engine & Engine Cooling147

Power Train119

Air Bags60

Electrical System58

Service Brakes, Hydraulic57

Steering57

Visibility48

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 157 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…

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 Town and Country. 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.

Vehicles taking 4.5 qt w/ filter NS-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 04213583AB Fuel filter 05140676AA Spark plug 68303949AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1996 Town and Country 3.8L V6 take?

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

Does the 1996 Town and Country have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.8L V6 get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.