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1996 Ford Probe

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1996 Ford Probe is a passenger car whose engine calls for 3.7 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. Within the 1990–1999 model run, owner complaints peaked at 355 in 1990 and dropped to just one by 1999, so the 1996 model's 86 complaints sit well below that early high-water mark. Power Train is the top complaint area and four recalls are on record, which places the 1996 Probe in a mid-range spot in the model's reliability history: not as troubled as the launch years, but still a year where powertrain documentation should be a research priority.

Model year1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque65-87 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 58r · 580 CCA battery, OE oil filter FL2000A. 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 58r · 580 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-50VR16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	FL2000A
Thermostat	F32Z8575A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	178.7 in
Overall width	69.7 in
Overall height	51.6 in
Wheelbase	102.8 in
Curb weight	2690 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.8 / 59.8 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

6.7–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 1989 GT Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1994	GT Coupe 2.5L V6	7.50 sec	15.80 sec	164 hp	FWD
1993	GT Coupe 2.5L V6	7.00 sec	15.50 sec	164 hp	FWD
1993	GT Coupe 2.5L V6	7.10 sec	15.60 sec	164 hp	FWD
1992	GT Coupe 2.2L Turbo I-4	7.20 sec	15.60 sec	145 hp	FWD
1989	GT Coupe 2.2L Turbo I-4	6.70 sec	15.20 sec	145 hp	FWD
1989	GT Coupe 2.2L Turbo I-4	7.00 sec	15.30 sec	145 hp	FWD
1989	GT Coupe 2.2L Turbo I-4	7.30 sec	15.60 sec	145 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-87 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. 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
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.7 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	36.0-45.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	157-167 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	116-122 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	14.0-19.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	23.0-36.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14-18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	Bolt: 12-17 ft-lbs, nut: 14-21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	65-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	174-235 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub Bearing Housing Bolts	130-174 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 745, AT: 880 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 720, AT: 770 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.75-2.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	YN-12-D
Oil Capacity	6.75-7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	58r
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	580 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	58r

Service checks

Pressure Test	18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	12-16 ohms

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	25-29 ft-lbs / 58-74 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	33-49 ft-lbs / 65-87 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.39 in / 0.94 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

6.0, Step 3: 8.3-10.5

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	17-19 ft. lbs.	17–19 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees.	90 degrees
3	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	35-40 ft. lbs.	35–40 ft. lbs
2	56-60

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	13-16 ft. lbs.	13–16 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	17-19 ft. lbs.	17–19 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant at 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 50,000 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 5,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Wheel Lug Nut (torque)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Wheel Lug Nut (torque)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
At 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV Valve (replace)
At 105,000 mi	Timing 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 Ford Probe shows a continuation of the downward trend in consumer complaints that began after the 1992 low, with 86 complaints—far below the 355 recorded in 1990 and the 228‑209 spikes of 1993‑1994, and only slightly higher than the 52 complaints in 1997. Recall activity remained steady at four per year from 1990 through 1997 (except for three in 1992), indicating no change in the frequency of manufacturer‑initiated safety actions for the 1996 model year. Investigations dropped to zero in 1995 and stayed at zero for 1996, 1997 and the lone 1999 entry, suggesting a reduction in potential defect probes after the mid‑1990s. Technical Service Bulletins continued to rise, reaching 112 in 1996, comparable to the 119 in 1995 and 1997, reflecting ongoing service guidance rather than a spike in issues. The top complaint areas for 1996 were Power Train (14), Engine & Engine Cooling (13), Steering (10) and Electrical System (7), with four crash‑related and two fire‑related complaints reported. Taken together, the relatively low complaint count, absence of open investigations, and steady recall level make the 1996 Probe a comparatively reliable choice among the generation’s years.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

112

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

4 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95’96’97 ’99

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 86 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train14

Engine & Engine Cooling13

Steering10

Electrical System7

Suspension5

Seat Belts4

Air Bags3

Tires3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

05E065000Fuel System, GasolineReported 05/10/2005

CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK… Remedy: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION…

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 112 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
03181	2003-09-15	Electrical System	REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT
02176	2002-09-02	Exterior Lighting	LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ
0224	2002-02-04	Power Train	SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE CD4E TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT HARSH AND DELAYED 1-2/2-3…
01246	2001-12-10	Engine And Engine Cooling	ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE…
01181	2001-09-17	Power Train	BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB

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 Probe. 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 58 battery Vehicles taking 3.7 qt Engine oil filter FL2000A Thermostat F32Z8575A

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 Probe take?

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

Does the 1996 Probe have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

1996 Ford Probe

Quick specs

Fitment & sizes

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Full specifications

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Performance & power Independent road tests

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Lubricants & capacities

Engine torques

Chassis torques

Ignition

Battery & A/C

Service checks

Brakes

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Common OBD-II trouble codes

VIN tools

Vehicles with shared specs

Reference guides

Related vehicles

Other years

Frequently asked