InfinitiG201996Overview/infiniti/g20/1996/base/

1996 Infiniti G20

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 G20.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1996 Infiniti G20 is a model that calls for 3.6 qt of 5W‑30 API SM engine oil and pairs that with a 4‑speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. In terms of ownership experience, the year logged 14 total complaints, with tires being the leading issue area and a single recall on record. Placed within the broader 1991‑2002 complaint history for the G20 line, 1996 falls between the peak of 29 complaints in 1995 and the low of 7 complaints in 1994, indicating an average reliability standing for the model.

Model year200220012000199919961995199419931992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 API SMOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/26/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F California · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520853J0A. Note the factory spark plug is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 24F California · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-65HR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520853J0A
Engine air filter16546V0100 alt 165460Z000
Fuel filter1640041B1A
Spark plug2240120J05 discontinued · alt 2240120J06
Front wiper blades2889035V15 alt 2889059J05
Serpentine belt119200E001 alt 1195053J20
Thermostat212000C82A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent road tests for the G20 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.2–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 1991 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1994t Sedan 2.0L I-48.40 sec16.50 sec140 hpFWD
1991Sedan 2.0L I-48.20 sec16.50 sec140 hpFWD
1991Sedan 2.0L I-48.70 sec16.70 sec140 hpFWD
1991Sedan 2.0L I-48.70 sec16.80 sec140 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.6 qt of 5W-30 API SM engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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 FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.6 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts105-112 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61-69 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts28-35 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Front Wheel Hub174-231 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub163 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.54-1.75 lbs
Oil TypeNISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or equivalent
Oil Capacity6.80-7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F California
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature170 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)36.0 psi
Engine Compression149-178. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure46-57 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs / 53-72 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle28-38 ft-lbs / 72-87 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in / 0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.87 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.87 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.787 in / 0.31 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
110-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 28-3310–12 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
258 ft. lbs.58 ft. lbs
3loosen all bolts completely
429 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
595 degrees95 degrees
695
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45-5024–28 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 at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 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.

At 3,750 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 Infiniti G20 falls into the middle of a broader decline in complaint volume that began with a peak in 1995 (29 complaints) and then dropped to 14 complaints in 1996, a level comparable to the 1991–1994 range. Recall activity likewise tapered, with only one recall in 1996 versus two in each of the preceding four years, indicating an improving safety record for that model year. The single crash‑related complaint and absence of fire complaints for 1996 suggest that the vehicle’s most serious issues were not prevalent that year. Compared to the years before and after, 1996 represents a relatively stable period for the G20, with complaint numbers falling back to the low‑teens and no new major recalls emerging. For a used‑car buyer, the 1996 model year offers a more reliable option within the generation, but prospective owners should still inspect tires, engine cooling, fuel system, and brakes, as these were the top complaint categories. Overall, 1996 is a reasonable year to consider, provided those key components are in good condition.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
35
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
14
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires2
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Seat Belts1
Power Train1
Air Bags1
Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

97V072000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And CapReported 22/04/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND REPLACE THE TUBE WITH A NEW ONE. ANY OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WHICH ARE DAMAGED OR DETERIORATED WILL ALSO BE…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 35 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ITB13-007H2023-02-27StructureREMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB09-039J2023-02-27VisibilityWINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…
ITB10-067C2023-02-22WheelsWHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on…
ITB16-006A2021-03-24Electrical SystemINFINITI; FRONT SONAR PARKING SENSOR SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended…
ITB19-0082019-04-02EquipmentEXTERIOR CLEANING INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION When cleaning the exterior of an…

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 G20. 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 G20 take?

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

Does the 1996 G20 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the G20 get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.