JeepGrand Cherokee19965.2L/jeep/grand-cherokee/1996/5-2l/
ZJ platform

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee — 5.2L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Grand Cherokee 5.2L.

Body SUVEngine 5.2LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a ZJ-platform SUV powered by a 5.2L engine backed by a 4-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA fuel economy of 14 city, 20 highway, and 16 combined mpg while requiring 5 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API motor oil at each filter change. Its 1,483 owner complaints—dominated by power train issues and accompanied by 16 recalls—place this model year firmly in the upper range of the Grand Cherokee's reliability record spanning 1993 through 2026, closer to the 2014 peak of 2,369 complaints than to the single-digit lows of later years, making the mid-Nineties ZJ a period researchers should flag for notable mechanical concern.

Model year199819971996199519941993

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/20/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53007386AB discontinued
Fuel filter52005131 discontinued
Spark plug68304020AA alt 68308887AA
Front wiper blades56005186AB discontinued
Serpentine belt53010150 alt 53031118AB
Thermostat83501426AD alt 52028185AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.4 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height65.4 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3583 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.9 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 20 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-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.

8.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 1996 Laredo V8
220 hpHorsepower (as tested)
300 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1996Laredo V8 5.2L V88.20 sec16.30 sec220 hp4x4
1997Limited V8 5.2L V89.10 sec16.90 sec220 hp4x4
1993Laredo V8 5.2L V88.10 sec16.50 sec220 hp4x4
1993Laredo V8 5.2L V88.70 sec16.60 sec220 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.4 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.1 Pints,
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings45 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts135 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts20 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub175 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)200 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.95-1.20 Toyodenso ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,300-13,300 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.035 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.75 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity7.75 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47-51 psi
Engine Compression100 minimum. 25 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure6 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle7-15 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.030
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in / 0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.44 in / 0.95 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
150 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
2105

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 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 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBands (adjust) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (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.

In 1996, the Jeep Grand Cherokee recorded 1,483 federal complaints alongside 16 recalls and 8 investigations, heavily concentrated in the Power Train (308), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (173), and Engine & Engine Cooling (108) categories, though the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. While complaints had steadily climbed from 1,224 in 1993 to 1,503 in 1995, the 1996 model year saw a slight stabilization even as federal investigations dropped by nearly half from 15 to 8. However, 1996 sits at the front of an escalating arc within this generation, preceding a steady surge in complaints to 1,516 in 1997, 1,558 in 1998, and a generation-worst 2,113 in 1999. The 1996 model also exhibits a notable spike in technical service bulletins to 98—up from 75 the prior year—suggesting the manufacturer was actively responding to emerging problems, alongside concerning records of 199 crash and 50 fire complaints. Given its position just before the generation's peak failure years and its high concentration of powertrain, brake, and fire-related complaints, the 1996 Grand Cherokee is a risky used purchase that should only be considered with comprehensive mechanical verification of those specific systems.

16
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
98
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
8
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,483
Owner complaints
199 involved a crash · 50 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,483 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train308
Service Brakes, Hydraulic173
Engine & Engine Cooling108
Fuel System, Gasoline90
Structure84
Steering71
Electrical System69
Suspension51

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V252000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyReported 19/06/2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear… Remedy: Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch…

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 98 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 Grand Cherokee. 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 Grand Cherokee 5.2L take?

5 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1996 Grand Cherokee have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 5.2L get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.