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1999 Lincoln Town Car

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Lincoln Town Car, a full-size passenger car, was powered by a 4-speed automatic transmission and achieved EPA fuel economy ratings of 15/22/18 mpg, with engine oil service requiring 5.0 quarts of 5W-20 API-grade lubricant. Against the model's complaint history spanning 1990-2011, which ranged from a peak of 328 complaints in 1997 to a low of just 5 in 2009, the 1999 model year recorded 160 total owner complaints with Air Bags cited as the primary concern and 6 recalls issued—positioning it well below the late-1990s peak but still considerably above the reliability the platform would achieve in its later production years.

Model year2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 1999

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-105 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy15/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 ex. Limo · 650 ex. Limo 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 65 ex. Limo · 650 ex. Limo CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-70R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	215.4 in
Overall width	78.3 in
Overall height	57.9 in
Wheelbase	117.7 in
Curb weight	4015 lb
Track (front / rear)	63.4 / 65.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 22 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	112 cu ft
Cargo volume	21 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

7.9–12.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 1998 Signature Series Touring Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1998	Signature Series Touring Sedan 4.6L V8	7.90 sec	16.10 sec	205 hp	RWD
2000	Cartier L Sedan 4.6L V8	9.30 sec	16.90 sec	200 hp	RWD
2003	Cartier Sedan 4.6L V8	9.50 sec	16.80 sec	239 hp	RWD
2005	BPS (Ballistic Protection Series) Sedan 4.6L V8	12.00 sec	18.60 sec	239 hp	RWD
2011	Signature Limited Fleet Sedan 4.6L V8	8.10 sec	16.10 sec	239 hp	RWD

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-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-105 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	114-121 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	14.0-16.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-105 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	802.5 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	12.5 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	755 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	75 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.38 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	7.50 oz
Optional BCI Group Number	65 Optional and Limo
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	850 Optional and Limo cca
Standard BCI Group Number	65 ex. Limo

Service checks

Pressure Test	16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30.0-45.0
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	147 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	85-105 ft-lbs / 50 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.00035 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.063 in / 0.56 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.063 in / 0.56 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.01 in / 0.52 in

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; spark plugs every 100,000 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 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (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 1999 Town Car sits in a clear post-peak improvement window: complaints dropped sharply from the generation high of 328 in 1997 to 160 in 1999, nearly matching 1998's 161 and holding well below the mid-1990s averages. Recalls at six are moderate for the era — lower than the 1996–1997 spike (10 and 8) and the 2000 uptick (9), but above the single-digit counts that become typical after 2001. Technical service bulletins remain elevated at 160, though down from the 1998 peak of 182, indicating ongoing service activity despite fewer owner complaints. The top complaint categories — air bags (27), suspension (16), visibility (15), and hydraulic service brakes (15) — plus 18 crash and 7 fire complaints, reflect patterns consistent with the platform's aging systems rather than a model-year-specific defect; the data does not specify root causes. Compared to the turbulent 1995–1997 period and the recall-heavy 2000 model, 1999 represents a comparatively stable point in the generation's federal record. For a buyer prioritizing lower complaint volume and moderate recall exposure, 1999 is a good year to buy within this generation.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

160

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

160

Owner complaints

18 involved a crash · 7 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98’99’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 160 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags27

Suspension16

Visibility15

Service Brakes, Hydraulic15

Structure9

Steering8

Electrical System8

Engine & Engine Cooling8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15E082000SteeringReported 06/10/2015

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured… Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at…

00V200000Equipment:Mechanical:Integrated Jack/Leveler/StabilizerReported 18/07/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A REAR WHEEL. IF THE… Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REVISED JACK INSTRUCTION AND STOWAGE CARD AND JACK WARNING LABEL, AS WELL AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE OWNER GUIDE.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 160 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
CSP 08B04	2008-05-15	Fuel System, Gasoline	FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY: CERTAIN 1992-2001 MODEL YEAR CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, AND…
07212	2007-10-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…
0531	2007-05-08	Structure	CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 05B31 - INFORMATION ONLY. A POSSIBILITY THAT DURING A HIGH…
05N04	2005-12-14	Engine And Engine Cooling	EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM 05N04 - EXTENDED COVERAGE FOR COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS…
041601	2005-11-14	Engine And Engine Cooling	WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR…

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 Town Car. 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 65 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 Town Car take?

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

Does the 1999 Town Car have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the Town Car get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.