EagleVision19963.3L/eagle/vision/1996/3-3l/
LH platform

1996 Eagle Vision — 3.3L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Vision 3.3L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.3LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

Built on the LH platform, the 1996 Eagle Vision is a passenger car featuring a 3.3L engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. This configuration delivers an EPA rating of 17/24/20 mpg and utilizes 5 quarts of 20W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 API oil. Within a model history spanning 1992 to 2003, the 1996 year—with 45 complaints and two recalls—sits well below the 1993 peak of 199 complaints, though steering remains the primary area of concern.

Model year19971996199519941993

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque95 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04573031 discontinued
Fuel filter04554040 discontinued
Spark plug68304020AA alt SP0RN14MC5
Front wiper blades04723444
Serpentine belt04663950AF discontinued · alt 04573234AB
Thermostat04573560AE discontinued · alt 04781661AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length201.6 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb weight3371 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume19 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 5 qt w/ filter of 20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 95 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts70-75 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts21.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts8.5 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts95 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts27.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub110-130 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub124 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque20 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.75 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-10
Oil Capacity7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)46.0-50.0 psi
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.310; Rear: 0.280 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.458 in / 0.94 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
140 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9040 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 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 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 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 Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark 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 Eagle Vision sits in a clear downward trend in federal complaints and recalls after the model’s problematic launch years: complaints fell from 199 in 1993 to 164 in 1994, 128 in 1995, and 45 in 1996, while recalls dropped from five to four to three and then two. Investigations also declined from twelve in 1994 to nine in 1995 and five in 1996, yet TSB activity stayed high at 74, nearly matching the 73–80 range seen across 1993–1997. Within the 1996 record, steering generated the most complaints (12), followed by fuel system (5), air bags (4), and hydraulic service brakes (4), with five crash-related and two fire-related complaints reported; the data does not specify root causes. Compared with 1997—the last model year with 21 complaints, two recalls, three investigations, and 77 TSBs—the 1996 model is improved over earlier years but still carries roughly twice the complaint volume and the same recall count. That makes 1996 a below-average choice within the generation: not as risky as 1993–1995, yet not as quiet as 1997. If you are considering one, confirm all recalls were completed, pay close attention to steering and brake function, and treat it as a usable but not the most favorable year to buy.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
74
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
45
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 45 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering12
Fuel System, Gasoline5
Air Bags4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Power Train3
Visibility3
Steering,Suspension2
Suspension2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

98V184000Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection SystemReported 06/08/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL…

04V021000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor ShiftReported 13/01/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 74 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 Vision. 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 Vision 3.3L take?

5 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 Vision have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.3L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.