HondaCivic1999Overview/honda/civic/1999/base/

1999 Honda Civic

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Honda Civic is a passenger car paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring 3.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil, delivering an EPA-rated 24 city and 32 highway mpg for a combined 27 mpg. Its reliability profile, however, is tempered by 359 total owner complaints and 15 recalls, with the electrical system emerging as the predominant trouble spot. When situated within the model's broader 1990-2022 complaint history—ranging from a low of 102 complaints in 1990 to a peak of 1,402 in 2006—the 1999 model occupies a moderate position in the Civic's reliability timeline, indicating a vehicle that is generally serviceable but distinctly hampered by specific electrical vulnerabilities.

Model year202620242023202220212020201820171999

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 economy24/32/27 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 sizeP195-55VR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ 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 weight2352 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 32 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume9 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.

7.1–7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 1999 Si Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1999Si Coupe 1.6L I-47.10 sec15.70 sec160 hpFWD
1999Si Coupe 1.6L I-47.20 sec15.70 sec160 hpFWD
1999Si Coupe 1.6L I-47.60 sec16.10 sec160 hpFWD
1998GX CNG Sedan 1.6L I-411.90 sec18.70 sec105 hpFWD
2000LX Sedan 1.6L I-49.50 sec17.30 sec106 hpFWD
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

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 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 Capacity3.5 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
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings30 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
Oil Pan to Block Bolts8.7 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
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm

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
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)40-47 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)30-37 psi
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ Idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

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

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
113 ft. lbs.13 ft. lbs
236 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
349 ft. lbs.49 ft. lbs
449
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
113 ft. lbs.13 ft. lbs
236 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
349 ft. lbs.49 ft. lbs
4bolts 1-249 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5618 ft. lbs
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 30,000 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 miClutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Antilock Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering System (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect)
Every 90,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) · 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.

Federal data for the 1999 Honda Civic records 359 complaints, 15 recalls, 0 investigations, and 148 TSBs. Within the 1996–2000 model run, complaints rose sequentially from 343 to a 464 peak in 1998 before retreating to 359 in 1999 and 300 in 2000, while recalls dipped to 15 in 1999 from the 17–18 range seen in surrounding years. The 1999 model’s highest-volume complaint areas were Electrical System (106), Air Bags (49), Power Train (33), and Engine & Engine Cooling (28), though the data does not specify root causes, alongside 62 crash-related and 5 fire-related complaints. Positioned after the generation’s 1998 crest and before the 2001 spike, 1999 represents a cooling point in the federal record, making it a relatively favorable year to buy within this era.

15
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
148
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
359
Owner complaints
62 involved a crash · 5 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 359 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System106
Air Bags49
Power Train33
Engine & Engine Cooling28
Structure16
Tires14
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12
Vehicle Speed Control11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 15 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 148 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A01-0052020-03-05Fuel System, GasolineService Bulletin - Repair on a CNG fuel tank may require the installation of a…
A13-0222020-03-05Fuel System, GasolineService Bulletin - For vehicles with SCI compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel tanks, Honda…
A13-0222017-02-10Fuel System, Other"SERVICE BULLETIN - FOR VEHICLES WITH SCI COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL TANKS, HONDA…
A15070B - 7-2-152015-07-02Power TrainSERVICE NEWS ARTICLE - PLANNING ON USING A LEAK CHECK DYE TO HELP FIND A LEAK? HERE’S THE…
A13-0222015-06-24Fuel System, Other"SERVICE BULLETIN - FOR VEHICLES WITH SCI COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL TANKS, HONDA…

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 1999 Civic take?

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

Does the 1999 Civic have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 15 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Civic get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined mpg.