EagleSummit19961.5L/eagle/summit/1996/1-5l/
B9 platform

1996 Eagle Summit — 1.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Summit 1.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 1.5LTransmission Automatic 3-spd

Built on the B9 platform, the 1996 Eagle Summit 1.5L operates as a passenger car powered by a 1.5L engine paired with an automatic 3-speed transmission that achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 24/29/26 mpg. This engine requires 3.7 quarts of oil with a filter change using 20W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 API viscosity. Within the 1990-1996 model history, this year records the lowest complaint volume with only two total owner complaints compared to the 1993 high of 100, positioning it as the lowest complaint year in the generation's timeline despite one recall and steering being the top complaint area.

Model year1996199519941993

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.7 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/29/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51 · 435 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05142416AC. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 51 · 435 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05142416AC
Engine air filterMR571472 discontinued · alt MB906051
Fuel filterMB504760 discontinued · alt MB658689
Spark plug68308887AA alt 68304174AA
Front wiper bladesMB859050 discontinued · alt MB944047
Serpentine belt05096314AA discontinued · alt MD189129
ThermostatMD315301 discontinued · alt MD337408

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length171.3 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height51.6 in
Wheelbase96.1 in
Curb weight2086 lb
Track (front / rear)57.1 / 57.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 29 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.7 qt w/ filter of 20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 26-32 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity3.7 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts10 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts94-101 ft-lbs
Main Bearings36-40 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts4-6 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26-32 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9-10 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts1.1-1.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug43.0-51.0 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission145-188 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts17.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug14.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug14.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub145-188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0-21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.88 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type56
Oil Capacity4.50-5.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51
Standard BCI Cranking Performance435 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)47.0-50.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)38.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)47.0-53.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)38.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle36-43 ft-lbs / 87-101 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness1.040 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014.5 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 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 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 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 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 Eagle Summit marks a notable inflection point in its generation, with federal complaint volumes plummeting to just 2—down sharply from the 1993 peak of 100 and even below the 31 reported in 1995. While recalls remained steady at one, investigations dropped to a single case, and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) rose to nine, suggesting Chrysler addressed many issues proactively rather than reactively. Compared to earlier years, where complaints spiked alongside recalls and investigations (e.g., 1992–1993), the 1996 model appears to reflect a period of stabilization, though the limited complaint data—one each for steering and seat belts—offers little granularity on systemic flaws. The absence of crash- or fire-related complaints further distinguishes this year from its predecessors. This trend implies that by 1996, Chrysler had largely resolved the generation’s most pressing reliability concerns, though the elevated TSB count hints at lingering minor issues. **Takeaway: The 1996 Summit is one of the strongest years in this generation to buy, given its minimal complaints and recalls, but verify service history to ensure TSB-related repairs were completed.**

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
9
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Steering1
Seat Belts1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

98V168003Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 05/10/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 9 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…
31003192019-11-20StructureUse of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31-006-192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

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 Summit. 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 Summit 1.5L take?

3.7 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 32 F: 20W-40 API, ABOVE -10F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 60 F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1996 Summit have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 1.5L get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 29 highway / 26 combined mpg.