AudiA41996Overview/audi/a4/1996/base/

1996 Audi A4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 A4.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 5-spd

Defined as a passenger car, the 1996 Audi A4 utilizes an Automatic 5-spd transmission and an engine holding 5.7 qt of oil to deliver EPA fuel economy ratings of 16/26/19 mpg. Reliability records show 99 total owner complaints for this model year with the Electrical System marked as the top complaint area, alongside 6 recalls. Contextualized within the model's 1995-2024 history, the 1996 variant sits above the lowest recorded count of 1 complaint in 1995 while remaining well below the 2006 peak of 298 complaints.

Model year202020192018201720091996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque81 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/26/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 640 CCA battery, OE oil filter 078115561J. Note the factory serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 640 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size195-65VR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter078115561J
Engine air filter058133843
Fuel filter1H0201511A
Spark plug101000033AA alt 101000051AA
Front wiper blades3A1955427 alt 8D1955427
Serpentine belt078903137BD discontinued · alt 078903137BC
Thermostat078121113F discontinued
Cabin air filter8A0819439A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight2976 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 58.3 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 26 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume88 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent road tests for the A4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.9–9.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.90 sec — 1996 2.8 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
19962.8 Sedan 2.8L V68.90 sec16.80 sec172 hpFWD
19962.8 Sedan 2.8L V69.10 sec16.90 sec172 hpFWD
19962.8 Quattro Sedan 2.8L V69.50 sec17.10 sec172 hpAWD
19962.8 Sedan 2.8L V69.60 sec17.30 sec172 hpFWD
19962.8 Quattro Sedan 2.8L V69.80 sec17.40 sec172 hpAWD
19971.8T Quattro Sedan 1.8L Turbo I-48.30 sec16.30 sec150 hpAWD
19971.8T Quattro Sedan 1.8L Turbo I-49.50 sec16.80 sec150 hpAWD
19982.8 Quattro Sedan 2.8L V67.40 sec15.90 sec190 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.7 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 81 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-3-6-2-5.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · 5W-40 · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 5W-50 · 10W-50 · 10W-60
Engine Oil Capacity5.7 qt
Power Steering FluidUSE VW. PART NO. G002000

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts7 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts81 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-6-2-5
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance18,000-25,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerVW
Spark Plug Gap0.035-0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityBuilt 4/95-11/98 Models w/non-colored valve, 1.43. Built 4/95-11-97 Models w/colored valve colored, 1.53. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance640 cca
Optional BCI Group Number94R

Service checks

Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)58.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)50.0 psi
Residual Pressure36 psi
Engine Compression203
Engine Oil Pressure14.5-36.3 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs / 18 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle92 ft-lbs
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.18 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.18 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.1 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18030 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18044 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; 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.

At 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miBrake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (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.

The 1996 Audi A4 marks a sharp inflection point in its generation, with complaints surging to 99 from just 1 in 1995, alongside a rise in recalls (6) and investigations (3)—the highest recall count until 1997 and the first notable wave of federal scrutiny. This year sits at the beginning of a broader upward trend in complaints, peaking in 1998 (262) before gradually declining, though electrical system and suspension issues dominate the 1996 data, accounting for over a third of complaints. Compared to later years, 1996’s recall volume is moderate, but its high investigation count suggests systemic concerns rather than isolated defects. The data doesn’t specify root causes, but the concentration of electrical and brake complaints implies potential early-build quality or design teething problems. While not the worst year statistically, 1996’s position as a high-complaint outlier in an otherwise low-volume 1995–1997 window suggests elevated risk; buyers should prioritize meticulous pre-purchase inspections, particularly of electrical and suspension systems, or consider a slightly later model year with more mature production. Proceed with caution.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
55
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
99
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 99 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System21
Suspension15
Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
Air Bags6
Equipment6
Steering5
Visibility4
Seats3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E060000Exterior LightingReported 29/06/2006

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 55 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
AWC 19-052019-08-28Electrical SystemThis communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to…
AWC 19-042019-07-22EquipmentThis communication is issued to remind dealers of the repair validation process for…
A941791 2012749-2017-07-31Exterior LightingThis informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation…
SM 44-2017 EN2017-06-28EquipmentThis special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the…
ATE-17-052017-03-03EquipmentDue to increasing requests for high voltage personal protective equipment (HVE PPE) for…

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 A4. 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 A4 take?

5.7 qt of ENERGY CONSERVING OILS: 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30 OR 10W-40 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION VW50200, EXCEPT ENGERGY CONSERVING OILS: 5W-50, 10W-50, OR 10W-60 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION VW50200, per the factory manual.

Does the 1996 A4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the A4 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 26 highway / 19 combined mpg.