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1996 Chevrolet Impala

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

The 1996 Chevrolet Impala carries a 5W-30 API engine oil specification at a 5-quart capacity, pointing to the straightforward powertrain maintenance this model demands. Across the Impala's complaint history spanning 1991 through 2020 — which ranges from a single complaint in 1997 to 1,071 in 2004 — the 1996 model year's 108 total owner complaints place it well below the nameplate's trouble years, though steering stands out as the top complaint area and one recall was issued. That relatively modest complaint volume means the 1996 Impala represents one of the more dependable model years in the lineup's history, giving researchers and prospective owners a reasonably solid baseline — provided they scrutinize steering components closely.

Model year2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2013 2012 1996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 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 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12737090. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP255/50ZR17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12737090
Engine air filter	19259030
Fuel filter	25121978 discontinued
Spark plug	19301813
Front wiper blades	25689175 discontinued · alt 10283602
Serpentine belt	19244956
Thermostat	12555290 alt 12551507

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	214.2 in
Overall width	77.2 in
Overall height	54.7 in
Wheelbase	116.1 in
Curb weight	4224 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.2 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.30 sec — 1996 SS V8 Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1996	SS V8 Sedan 5.7L V8	7.30 sec	15.60 sec	260 hp	RWD
1995	SS V8 Sedan 5.7L V8	7.00 sec	15.40 sec	260 hp	RWD
1994	SS V8 Sedan 5.7L V8	7.10 sec	15.40 sec	260 hp	RWD
2000	LS V6 3.8L V6	7.50 sec	15.70 sec	200 hp	FWD
2000	LS V6 3.8L V6	7.60 sec	15.80 sec	200 hp	FWD
2000	LS V6 3.8L V6	7.70 sec	15.90 sec	200 hp	FWD
2002	LS V6 3.8L V6	8.60 sec	16.60 sec	200 hp	FWD
2006	SS V8 5.3L V8	5.60 sec	14.20 sec	303 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 16 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. 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

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	74 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	74 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	35 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	26 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	16 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	13 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug	26 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission	16 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts	35 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub Bearing Housing Bolts	12 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub Bearing Housing Bolts	16 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order

1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.75-1.80 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	8.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	78

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	181-212 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	47.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	41-47
RPM	30.5-44 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	11.8-12.6 @ 50-95 degreesF MFI ohms
Engine Compression	100

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH 11 inch DRUM / WITH DISC
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	38 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake Application	WITH 11 inch DRUM / WITH DISC
Drum Runout Limit	0.006 in
Drum Nominal Diameter	11 in / 9.5 in
Drum Maximum Machining	11.06 in / 9.56 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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, 5, 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.

At 7,500 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level) · 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 Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (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 Chevrolet Impala sits at the peak of a sharp upward trend in federal complaints for its immediate model run, escalating from 60 complaints in 1995 to 108 in 1996, alongside 2 investigations and 24 TSBs. This spike contrasts sharply with the years immediately following, as complaints plummeted to just 1 in 1997 with zero recalls or investigations, indicating the target year represents the end of a problematic cycle before a major resolution or generation change. For the 1996 model specifically, steering is the primary concern with 14 complaints, closely followed by visibility (13), power train (12), and electrical system (9), though the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. Additionally, the 1996 federal record includes 2 crash and 2 fire complaints. Because 1996 stands as the highest-complaint year of its immediate era right before a dramatic quality improvement in 1997, buyers should approach with caution, making it a less favorable year to buy compared to the subsequent model.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

108

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95’96’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 108 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering14

Visibility13

Power Train12

Electrical System9

Fuel System, Gasoline9

Suspension8

Engine & Engine Cooling8

Tires8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL… Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 24 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
17-NA-073	2023-02-21	Equipment	This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…
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…
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 Impala. 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 5 qt Engine oil filter 12737090 Engine air filter 19259030 Fuel filter 25121978 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 Impala take?

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

Does the 1996 Impala have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.