EagleSummit1996Overview/eagle/summit/1996/base/
B9 platform

1996 Eagle Summit

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1996 Eagle Summit is a passenger car built on the B9 platform, requiring 3.7 quarts of API oil with a filter in 20W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 viscosities. This model year marks the lowest volume of owner complaints in the 1990-1996 history, recording only two complaints—centered on steering—and one recall. Compared to the 1993 peak of 100 complaints, the 1996 model stands as the most reliable iteration of the vehicle.

Model year19961995199419931992

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

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engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

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

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.

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 Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts10 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts134 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts94-101 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts72 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts98 ft-lbs
Main Bearings36-40 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts4-6 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
Standard BCI Group Number51

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
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

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
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 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) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
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 represents the final model year of a generation that experienced a notable complaint spike in 1992-1993 (peaking at 100 complaints), followed by a sharp decline through 1994-1995. At 2 complaints, the 1996 model records the lowest consumer complaint count in the entire federal dataset for this vehicle line—down from 31 the prior year—while maintaining only one recall and one investigation. The target year also shows zero crash-related complaints and zero fire complaints, with the sole complaint areas being Steering and Seat Belts (one each). Notably, TSBs reached their series high of 9, suggesting the manufacturer remained actively addressing lingering issues through technical service bulletins even as complaints subsided. This combination indicates the 1996 Summit benefits from resolved earlier problems while inheriting the lowest complaint burden of the generation, making it the most favorable model year in this series to consider for purchase.

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 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.