DodgeStratus19962.5L/dodge/stratus/1996/2-5l/
JA platform

1996 Dodge Stratus — 2.5L

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

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1996 Dodge Stratus 2.5L is a JA-platform passenger car fitted with a 2.5-liter engine and an automatic four-speed transmission, requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with filter and carrying EPA fuel-economy ratings of 17/26/20 mpg. Within the model's 1992–2007 run, this model year accumulated the greatest volume of owner feedback—639 complaints, with Engine & Engine Cooling identified as the top problem area—and carries 11 recalls, making it the statistical peak for reported problems in the model's history. That concentration of documented complaints and recalls makes the 1996 Stratus the critical benchmark for understanding where this model line hit its reliability nadir.

Model year200019991998199719961995

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 economy17/26/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 510 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 86 · 510 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04882141AB discontinued
Fuel filter04897244AA discontinued · alt 04897416AB
Spark plug68304272AA alt 68304149AA
BatteryBB75F101AA
Front wiper blades05012357AB discontinued · alt 05018262AA
Serpentine belt04663182AC discontinued · alt 04573737AC
ThermostatP5278144AA alt MD194988

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length186.2 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height52 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight2899 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 26 / 20 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 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
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts135 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts69 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts4.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts45 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)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 Capacity1.75 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-10
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance510 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
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 Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression170
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

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

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 100,000 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) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (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 1996 Dodge Stratus represents the peak of reported issues across the generation, recording 639 complaints compared to 401 in the preceding 1995 model year and 386 in 1997. While recall activity remained stable at 11 between 1995 and 1996, the figure exceeds the 7 recalls seen in 1997, even as Technical Service Bulletins remained relatively consistent across these three years. The data indicates that Engine & Engine Cooling accounts for the majority of 1996 grievances with 294 reports, alongside notable figures for fire and crash-related complaints at 36 and 37 respectively. This places the 1996 model at the highest point of the complaint arc before volumes generally decreased in later model years. Consequently, this specific model year carries higher risk than its successors based on federal records and is not the optimal choice for purchase.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
81
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
639
Owner complaints
37 involved a crash · 36 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 639 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling294
Service Brakes, Hydraulic48
Power Train38
Steering31
Suspension25
Electrical System22
Air Bags17
Structure13

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 81 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 Stratus. 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 Stratus 2.5L take?

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

Does the 1996 Stratus have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined mpg.