HondaCivic1996Overview/honda/civic/1996/base/

1996 Honda Civic

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1996 Honda Civic is a passenger car fitted with a 4-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring 3.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil, delivering EPA ratings of 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. Within the model’s 1990–2022 complaint history, this model year generated 343 owner complaints, placing it above the range’s low-water mark of 102 (1990) yet significantly below the high of 1,402 (2006). Air bags stand out as the top complaint area, with 18 recalls on file for this year.

Model year202620242023202220212020201820171996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy25/33/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery. 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 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP175-70R13OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length175.2 in
Overall width67.3 in
Overall height54.3 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight2262 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 33 / 28 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

8.5–10.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 1996 DX 3-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1996DX 3-door Hatchback 1.6L I-48.50 sec16.70 sec106 hpFWD
1996EX Coupe (14" Wheels) 1.6L I-49.40 sec17.20 sec127 hpFWD
1996EX Coupe (16" Wheels) 1.6L I-49.40 sec17.30 sec127 hpFWD
1996EX Coupe (17" Wheels) 1.6L I-49.40 sec17.30 sec127 hpFWD
1996HX Coupe 1.6L I-49.40 sec17.10 sec115 hpFWD
1996LX Sedan 1.6L I-49.40 sec17.20 sec106 hpFWD
1996EX Coupe (15" Wheels) 1.6L I-49.60 sec17.40 sec127 hpFWD
1996EX Sedan 1.6L I-410.50 sec17.60 sec127 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.8 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6MM Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, 8MM Bolts: 14 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings23 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts134 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts88 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug33.0-36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 670, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 670, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 670, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.63-0.77 Hitachi ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32-1.43 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacitySanden compressor, 4.33; Nippondenso compressor, 4.66. oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)38-46 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)28-36 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.006-0.007 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.007-0.008 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle28 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.060 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.079 in
Drum Nominal Diameter7.874 in / 7.087 in
Drum Maximum Machining7.913 in / 7.126 in
Drum Discard at-or-over NoteDiscard value not supplied by manufacturer
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 3818 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Antilock Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Water Pump (inspect)

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 Honda Civic marks a clear inflection point in this generation's federal record, with complaints jumping to 343 from 244 in 1995 and recalls rising to 18 from 13 — but the most telling signal is the TSB count, which surges from 19 to 134, strongly suggesting a major model redesign launching this year. From 1996, complaints climb steadily through 1998 (peaking at 464) before tapering off, indicating that early production years of this generation carried the heaviest burden of unresolved issues, with 1996 sitting at the front of that upward arc. The top complaint areas — Air Bags (65), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (46), Visibility (33), and Vehicle Speed Control (23) — are notably broad, and with 72 crash complaints and 4 fire complaints recorded, the safety exposure is material, though the data does not specify root causes for any of these categories. The two open investigations in 1996 (up from zero in 1995) further reinforce that federal regulators were actively scrutinizing this model year. For a buyer, 1996 represents a first-year redesign with elevated complaint volume and active investigations; while later years in this generation (1999–2000) show declining complaints and may offer better reliability, a 1996 model should be approached with caution and thoroughly inspected, particularly its air bag and braking systems.

18
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
134
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
343
Owner complaints
72 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 343 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags65
Service Brakes, Hydraulic46
Visibility33
Vehicle Speed Control23
Power Train22
Engine & Engine Cooling20
Structure18
Electrical System12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 17 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V026000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/01/2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The…

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 134 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A990342016-09-21Vehicle Speed ControlSERVICE BULLETIN - DUE TO THE FLOOR DESIGN, A MISPOSITIONED FLOOR MAT COULD PREVENT THE…
A15070B - 7-2-152015-07-02Power TrainSERVICE NEWS ARTICLE - PLANNING ON USING A LEAK CHECK DYE TO HELP FIND A LEAK? HERE’S THE…
SB-99-0752013-08-09Engine And Engine CoolingHONDA: TROUBLESHOOTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P1456 AND P1457. DEALERS ARE TO…
090120052005-09-01Electrical SystemTROUBLESHOOTING TIPS FOR DTC P1381. *NM
050272005-06-10Engine And Engine CoolingMALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0420 OR ENGINE PING UNDER…

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 Civic. 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 Civic take?

3.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1996 Civic have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 18 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Civic get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined mpg.