Dodge›Intrepid›1999›3.2L/dodge/intrepid/1999/3-2l/

LH platform

1999 Dodge Intrepid — 3.2L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 Intrepid 3.2L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.2LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Dodge Intrepid is a passenger‑car built on the LH platform and powered by a 3.2‑liter engine that requires 5.0 quarts of 5W‑30 or 10W‑30 API oil. Its automatic 4‑speed transmission and EPA ratings of 16/25/19 mpg underscore its mainstream design, while the vehicle’s 3.2‑liter powerplant remains the focal point of owner concerns. In the broader 1992‑2004 Intrepid series, this model year sits near the peak of complaint activity—just shy of the 2000 record—highlighting persistent engine and cooling issues that have shaped its reliability legacy.

Model year2001 2000 1999 1998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/25/19 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 Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, spark plug and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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

Tire sizeP205-70R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ; Optional Tire: 7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB
Engine air filter	04591099AB discontinued
Fuel filter	04546610 discontinued
Spark plug	68304015AA discontinued · alt 68304017AA
Battery	BB34F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades	05011206AC alt 05011207AB
Serpentine belt	05086571AA discontinued · alt 04792071AC
Thermostat	04792237AE alt 68027789AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 25 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	104 cu ft
Cargo volume	17 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. 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 · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	1.7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	75 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	75 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	21 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	110-130 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	124 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	525 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	175 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.45-.65 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	7000-15,800 ohms
Spark Plug Gap	0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.56 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Oil Capacity	5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	Longitudinal engines 44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle	16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	16 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.458 in / 1.019 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

40 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

40 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	Bolts 1 - 8 to 48 N##m (35 ft. lbs.)	35 ft. lbs
2	Bolts 1 - 8 to 75 N##m (55 ft. lbs.)	55 ft. lbs
3	Bolts 1 - 8 to 75 N##m (55 ft. lbs.)	55 ft. lbs
4	Bolts 1 - 8 to +90 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.	90 degrees
5	Bolts 9 - 11 to 28 N##m (250 in. lbs.)	250 in

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	All to 61 N##m (45 ft. lbs.)	45 ft. lbs
2	All to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)	65 ft. lbs
3	All (again) to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)	65 ft. lbs
4	+ 90 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.; Bolt torque after 90 degrees turn should be over 122 N##m (90 ft. lbs.) in the tightening direction. If not, replace the bolt.	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Tighten the cap bolts to finger tight. Step 2

15 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 100,000 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 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Ignition Timing (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

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 data shows 1999 represents a dramatic reversal from the declining trend observed between 1994 and 1998, with complaints surging from 384 to 1,058—a nearly threefold increase that positions this year at the onset of a late-model reliability crisis that would peak in 2000. While recalls increased moderately from four to six compared with 1998, the volume of complaints, particularly the 632 filings related to Engine & Engine Cooling (the data does not specify root causes), indicates systemic issues emerged abruptly this year. The 42 crash-related and 15 fire-related complaints further distinguish 1999 as an outlier in the model's lifecycle compared to the immediately preceding years. Given that 1999 precedes the even higher complaint and recall volumes of 2000, and represents a significant escalation over 1998, this year falls within the worst period of the Intrepid's federal record; prospective buyers should avoid this model year in favor of 1996-1998 examples that show substantially lower complaint rates.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

124

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,058

Owner complaints

42 involved a crash · 15 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98’99’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,058 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling632

Power Train49

Steering40

Suspension30

Electrical System26

Visibility23

Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train17

Service Brakes, Hydraulic15

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 124 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
08-049-20	2020-04-22	Electrical System	Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
3100519	2019-11-20	Structure	Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
3100619	2019-11-20	Structure	Repair 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 Intrepid. 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 34 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt LH-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 04591099AB Fuel filter 04546610 Spark plug 68304015AA

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 1999 Intrepid 3.2L take?

5.0 qt of Below 32 F: 5W-30 API, Below 100 F: 5W-30 API, Above 0 F: 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 Intrepid have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.2L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined mpg.