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1996 Chevrolet Blazer 4WD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Blazer 4WD.

The 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 4WD is a midsize sport‑utility vehicle that relies on a 4.5‑quart capacity of 5W‑30 API‑rated oil to keep its powertrain lubricated. In the broader 1990‑2005 production run, this model year posted 1,280 owner complaints, with the most frequent issues centered on service brakes and the hydraulic system, and it was subject to eleven recalls. Compared with the peak of 1,418 complaints recorded in 1995, the 1996 Blazer sits slightly lower in the complaint curve, indicating a modest improvement in reliability as the line progressed toward the markedly lower 15‑complaint figure seen in 2005.

Model year2003 1996 1989

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 torque95 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 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 19210286. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 75 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPSOEM · verified

Tire sizeP205-75R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	19210286
Engine air filter	19259086
Fuel filter	25171792 discontinued
Spark plug	12681665
Front wiper blades	15757007 alt 15757008
Serpentine belt	12564763 alt 12550110
Thermostat	12632948 alt 12551507

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	175.2 in
Overall width	67.7 in
Overall height	66.1 in
Wheelbase	100.4 in
Curb weight	3605 lb
Track (front / rear)	54.7 / 54.7 in

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. Torque lug nuts to 95 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2.

Lubricants & capacities

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

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	74 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	8.85 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	74.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	89.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	89.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	89.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	95 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	18.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	18.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	181 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-5-4-3-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	11-14 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.75-2.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	8.00 oz
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	75
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	75

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	66.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	60-66
RPM	50-63 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	11.8-12.6 na ohms
Engine Compression	100

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle	38 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	1.03 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.03 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.98 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.965 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (lubricate return spring) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Bushing (lubricate) · Clutch Pedal Clevis Pin (lubricate)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect) · 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.

Owner complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 4WD lead in one area — the service brakes, hydraulic, 375 of 1,280 reports (29%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 11 recall campaigns target the service brakes, hydraulic, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 161 of the reports describe a crash and 33 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the service brakes, hydraulic pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,280

Owner complaints

161 involved a crash · 33 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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,280 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic375

Visibility162

Suspension128

Engine & Engine Cooling107

Power Train71

Air Bags43

Electrical System37

Fuel System, Gasoline26

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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…

06E023000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 13/03/2006

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR… Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

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 Blazer 4WD. 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 19210286 Engine air filter 19259086 Fuel filter 25171792 Spark plug 12681665

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1996 Blazer 4WD take?

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

Does the 1996 Blazer 4WD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.