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1996 Pontiac Firebird

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

As a passenger-car entry in the Firebird range, the 1996 model is serviced with a 4.5-quart sump of 5W-30 API oil, the baseline fluid specification a researcher needs before consulting service records. Across the 1990–2002 model history, this year logs 43 owner complaints, sitting in the lower-middle band of the range — well below the 95-complaint peak recorded in 1995 but still above the 10-complaint low set in 1990. Two recalls applied to the 1996 model, and hydraulic service brakes dominate the complaint ledger, a concentration worth tracking when assessing long-term durability. Taken together, these figures position the 1996 as a moderate, not exceptional, point in the Firebird's reliability arc.

Model year2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 75 · 690 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12708762. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 75 · 690 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLIGHTOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-60R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim8-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12708762 alt 12731175
Engine air filter	19259086
Fuel filter	25121293 discontinued
Spark plug	12681664 alt 19301813
Front wiper blades	22121694 discontinued
Serpentine belt	19244956 alt 19172684
Thermostat	24505924 alt 12555290

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	196.5 in
Overall width	74.4 in
Overall height	52.8 in
Wheelbase	101.2 in
Curb weight	3437 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 60.6 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

5.4–5.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 1996 Trans Am WS6 Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1996	Trans Am WS6 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.40 sec	14.00 sec	285 hp	RWD
1996	Formula WS6 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.50 sec	14.10 sec	285 hp	RWD
1996	Formula WS6 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.50 sec	13.90 sec	285 hp	RWD
1996	Formula WS6 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.80 sec	14.30 sec	285 hp	RWD
1996	Trans Am WS6 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.80 sec	14.30 sec	285 hp	RWD
1995	Trans Am Coupe 5.7L V8	5.60 sec	14.00 sec	275 hp	RWD
1995	Formula Convertible 5.7L V8	6.10 sec	14.60 sec	275 hp	RWD
1995	Trans Am V6 Coupe 3.8L V6	7.10 sec	15.50 sec	200 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 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
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE GM PART NO. 89021184 OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	22 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	74 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	75 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	10 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	31 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)	8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5,000-8,000 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Type	41-921
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	3.8 L
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	8.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	75
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	690 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	75

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	181-212 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	55.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	48-55

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	27 ft-lbs / 38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	74 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.006 in / 0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.787 in / 1.26 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

110 ft. lbs., step 2: 76

110 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	120 degrees.	120 degrees
3	Bolts 1-4	30 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	Bolts 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16	67 degrees
3	Bolts 1, 2, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17	80 degrees

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 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 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 6,000 mi	Shift Linkage (inspect)
At 7,500 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)

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 Firebird posted 43 complaints, 2 recalls, 2 investigations and 59 technical service bulletins (TSBs), a sharp drop in complaints from the 1995 peak of 95 but still above the early‑1990s levels (10‑32 complaints). The recall count fell to its lowest point in the decade (2 versus 3‑5 in surrounding years), while the number of TSBs remained high and unchanged from 1995, indicating that many issues were being addressed through service bulletins rather than formal recalls. Compared with the surrounding years, 1996 sits at the beginning of a downward trend in complaints and recalls that continues through the early 2000s, though the volume of TSBs climbs dramatically after 1998. The top complaint areas—service brakes, electrical system, engine cooling and powertrain—suggest routine wear‑related problems rather than systemic defects, and the low crash (5) and fire (4) complaint counts reinforce a relatively stable safety profile. **Takeaway:** 1996 shows a moderate improvement over its immediate predecessor and no major recall red flags, making it a reasonably sound year to consider for a used Firebird, provided the identified brake and electrical items are inspected.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 4 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95’96’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 43 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic10

Electrical System8

Engine & Engine Cooling5

Power Train4

Seats2

Engine & Engine Cooling,Unknown Or Other2

Fuel System, Gasoline2

Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Power Train2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E088000EquipmentReported 24/10/2007

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

06E065000Exterior LightingReported 17/07/2006

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 59 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP4723F	2022-01-14	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIP4723D	2020-01-31	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
19NA273	2019-12-02	Electrical System	This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to…
PIC4696E	2019-11-22	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
17NA073	2019-09-18	Equipment	This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…

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 Firebird. 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.

Group 75 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter 12708762 Engine air filter 19259086 Fuel filter 25121293 Spark plug 12681664

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 Firebird take?

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

Does the 1996 Firebird have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.