DodgeRAM Pickup19995.9L Diesel/dodge/ram-pickup/1999/5-9l-diesel/
BR platform

1999 Dodge RAM Pickup — 5.9L Diesel

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 RAM Pickup 5.9L Diesel.

Engine 5.9L DieselTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Dodge RAM Pickup, built on the BR platform and powered by a robust 5.9 L diesel engine, delivers a blend of torque and durability that has become a hallmark of the brand’s work‑horse trucks. With an automatic 4‑speed transmission and a 5‑quart oil capacity that accepts 10W‑30 or 5W‑30 API‑rated oils, this model achieved EPA ratings of 11 mpg city and 16 mpg highway, underscoring its efficient yet heavy‑duty design. In the broader reliability context, 1999 ranks as the peak complaint year in the 1995‑2002 series, registering 33 owner complaints—primarily structural issues—yet remains notable for its absence of recalls, indicating that most problems were likely post‑production rather than design‑related.

Model year19991998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque130-160 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy11/16/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size6400 GVWROEM · verified
Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter04798825AD discontinued
Spark plug68303921AA alt 68308887AA
BatteryBB27F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades55076910AA discontinued
Serpentine belt53010303AC alt 53010304AB
Thermostat52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length220.1 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height71.7 in
Wheelbase139 in
Curb weight4641 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 66.9 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 16 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 130-160 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-10-9-4-3-6-5-8-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4 Pints,
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings48 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts135 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsStep 1 -
Engine Flywheel Bolts100 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)6010
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket6010
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle6010
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket6010
Lug Nuts130-160 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-10-9-4-3-6-5-8-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)200 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug TypeRC12LC4
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-10
Oil Capacity8.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)25.0 psi
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure30 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2500 rpm

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
OtherHeavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
OtherLight Duty / Heavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
126 ft. lbs., Step 2: 51 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7326 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lb. at a time.), step 2: bolts 5-12: 6 ft. lbs., step 3: all to 6 ft. lbs., step 4: all to 12 ft. lbs., step 5: all to 126 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lbs. at a time.), step 2: bolts 5-12: 6 ft. lbs., step 3: all to 6 ft. lbs., step 4: all to 12 ft. lbs., step 5: all to 126 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
145 ft. lbs., Step 2: 85 ft. lbs., Step 3: 12945 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 187 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 6,000 miBrake Linings (adjust) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Water Pump (inspect)
Every 18,000 miWheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 24,000 miBands (adjust) · Engine Breather Filter (clean)
Every 30,000 miCrankshaft Vibration Damper (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Radiator Fan Clutch (inspect) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · EGR Valve (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (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 requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter 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 neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe 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.

Federal data positions the 1999 model year at the apex of a complaint spike within this generation, registering 33 complaints—more than triple the 1995 count and significantly exceeding the 20 logged in 1998—before volumes dropped sharply to just 8 in 2000. While the 1999 model incurred zero recalls and investigations, it carries the highest reported complaint load in the provided sequence, with Structure-related issues constituting the largest single category at 10 filings, though the data does not specify root causes for these structural concerns. The year recorded only 2 crash-related complaints and zero fire incidents, suggesting the elevated complaint volume does not translate to severe safety incidents, yet the absence of recalls despite high complaint counts distinguishes it from the 2002 model, which faced 1 recall with fewer total complaints. Relative to adjacent model years, 1999 represents the peak of reported dissatisfaction before a marked improvement in 2000, implying potential unresolved production or design inconsistencies specific to this vintage. Given the elevated complaint volume concentrated in structural areas and its position as the statistical outlier in an otherwise declining trend, prospective buyers should approach this year with heightened scrutiny of frame and body integrity despite the absence of federal safety actions.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
33
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 33 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure10
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Air Bags3
Suspension3
Engine & Engine Cooling3
Seat Belts2
Unknown Or Other2
Power Train2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90028492014-09-03EquipmentPart Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission…
08010032003-04-25Seat BeltsSEAT BELT CINCH BAR SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 MODELS. *TT
14002032003-04-11Fuel System, DieselDIESEL FUEL TRANSFER PUMP DIAGNOSIS. *TT
08010012001-05-25Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL…
9762001-04-01Engine And Engine CoolingON SOME VEHICLES THE ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT A CATALYST FAILURE…

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.

P2002
Diesel particulate filter efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0401
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow insufficient
P20EE
SCR NOx catalyst efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0087
Fuel rail / system pressure too low
P0299
Turbocharger / supercharger underboost condition

VIN tools

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VIN
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Vehicles with shared specs

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Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 RAM Pickup 5.9L Diesel take?

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

Does the 1999 RAM Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 5.9L Diesel get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined mpg.