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1996 Buick Regal

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1996 Buick Regal is a passenger car whose engine is specified for 4.5 quarts of 10W-30 API oil, a concrete service detail that anchors any technical look at the model. Across the Regal’s 1990–2020 complaint history, the 1996 model accumulated 230 owner complaints and four recalls, with engine and engine cooling standing out as the top reported problem area. That complaint total sits below the 1998 peak of 325 yet well above the 2008 low of just one, placing the 1996 Regal in the upper-middle range of the model’s reported reliability record and signaling that researchers should expect engine-related concerns to dominate owner feedback.

Model year2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 1996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-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 78 · 690 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 78 · 690 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire sizeEX. GS; P205-70R15;OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ; 6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175
Engine air filter	19166106
Fuel filter	25121293 discontinued
Spark plug	19301813 alt 12681664
Front wiper blades	10093142
Serpentine belt	12637202 alt 19244954
Thermostat	24507563 alt 24505924

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	194.1 in
Overall width	72.4 in
Overall height	53.1 in
Wheelbase	107.5 in
Curb weight	3263 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.4 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	64/36

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

4.9–11.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.90 sec — 1986 Grand National Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1995	Gran Sport Coupe 3.8L V6	8.20 sec	16.00 sec	205 hp	FWD
1997	GS Sedan 3.8L Supercharger V6	6.60 sec	15.00 sec	240 hp	FWD
1997	LS Sedan 3.8L V6	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	205 hp	FWD
1998	GS Sedan 3.8L Supercharger V6	6.70 sec	15.10 sec	240 hp	FWD
1991	Gran Sport Sedan 3.8L V6	8.60 sec	16.50 sec	170 hp	FWD
2002	LS Sedan 3.8L V6	8.10 sec	16.30 sec	200 hp	FWD
1988	Custom Coupe (Grand Touring Pkg) 2.8L V6	11.20 sec	18.20 sec	125 hp	FWD
1987	Grand National Coupe 3.8L Turbo V6	5.40 sec	14.20 sec	245 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 10W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2. 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

Engine Oil	10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	6.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	103 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	76 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	17 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	31 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)	14 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	151 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-5-4-3-2
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5,000-7,000 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5,000-8,000 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	8.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	690 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	47.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	40.5-47

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs / 148 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	81 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.035 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.035 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.987 in / 0.385 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., Step 2: 105

74 ft. lbs

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

111 ft. lbs., step 2: 76

111 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	33 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	turn 90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	120 degrees	120 degrees
3	turn 30

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.

At 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Hood Hinge (lubricate) · Hood Latch (lubricate)
Every 15,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (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) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (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 Buick Regal generated 230 complaints, 4 recalls, 6 investigations and 47 TSBs. Compared with the five preceding model years (1990‑1995), 1996’s complaint total exceeds those of 1990‑1994 and is slightly higher than 1995’s 192 complaints, while its recall count is lower than the 1995 peak of 8 but above the 1994 low of 3. After 1996 complaints rise sharply, reaching 325 in 1998 and staying elevated through the 2000s, placing 1996 at the beginning of an upward trend. The federal record also notes 15 crash‑related complaints and 16 fire‑related complaints for 1996, but does not specify their underlying causes. Consequently, the 1996 Regal shows a moderate complaint level with a low recall count, positioning it as an average‑risk year—neither distinctly better nor worse than its neighbors—so a purchase should weigh other vehicle‑specific factors alongside this federal‑record perspective.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

230

Owner complaints

15 involved a crash · 16 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95’96’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 230 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling33

Service Brakes, Hydraulic33

Electrical System20

Air Bags18

Steering17

Fuel System, Gasoline11

Structure9

Suspension9

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E021000Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Pressure Relief DevicesReported 12/03/2007

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE… Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

03V527000Steering:Rack And PinionReported 11/12/2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 47 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…
PIC4696D	2019-09-05	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…

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 Regal. 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 78 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter 12731175 Engine air filter 19166106 Fuel filter 25121293 Spark plug 19301813

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 Regal take?

4.5 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1996 Regal have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.