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1999 Mercury Sable

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Mercury Sable is a passenger car powered by an engine that takes 5.0 qt of 5W‑20 API oil and is paired with a four‑speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA ratings of 17 city, 26 highway and 20 combined mpg. Owner data show 278 total complaints for the model year, with suspension leading the problem areas and five recalls issued. Across the 1990‑2009 history the Sable’s complaint count peaked at 815 in 1993 and dropped to a single complaint in 2006, positioning the 1999 edition well below the historic high but above the later low‑complaint years, indicating a moderate reliability standing for this generation.

Model year2009 2008 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 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 economy17/26/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 58R · 540 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 58R · 540 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP205-65R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	199.6 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	55.5 in
Wheelbase	108.7 in
Curb weight	3389 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	65/35

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 26 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	103 cu ft
Cargo volume	16 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-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-105 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. 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 Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	74 DOHC ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	13.0-16.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-105 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180-200 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	780 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	20 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.042-0.046 in
Spark Plug Torque	7.0-15.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	10 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	2 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.11 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.60 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	58R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	36R

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	193-200 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	30.0-45.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 DOHC ohms

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	23-28 ft-lbs / 65-87 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	65-87 ft-lbs / 85-105 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.030
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in / 0.0024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil.

1	37.0 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	Loosen 360 degrees	360 degrees
3	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees	90 degrees
5	90 degrees	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil.

1	30.0 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	Loosen 360 degrees	360 degrees
4	30.0 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees	90 degrees
6	90 degrees	90 degrees

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) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Transmission Filter (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.

Across the generation, complaint volume peaked early in 1993 and reached a low point in 1998 before trending upward again. The 1999 Mercury Sable marks the beginning of this resurgence, recording 278 complaints and 5 recalls, an increase over the 206 complaints and 2 recalls seen in 1998. For 1999, the most frequent complaint areas were suspension (44), steering (27), and both power train and hydraulic service brakes (21 each), though the data does not specify the root causes of these issues. This year serves as a precursor to a significant spike in 2000, where complaints jumped to 471 and investigations rose from 2 in 1999 to 9. The 1999 model also recorded 25 crash complaints and 4 fire complaints. Because 1999 sits at the start of an upward trend in complaints and investigations compared to the immediately preceding years, it is not the ideal year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

175

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

278

Owner complaints

25 involved a crash · 4 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 ’08 ’09

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 278 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension44

Steering27

Power Train21

Service Brakes, Hydraulic21

Visibility21

Seat Belts18

Engine & Engine Cooling18

Vehicle Speed Control14

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

99V250000Seat Belts:Front:AnchorageReported 20/09/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM COULD BECOME… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES WITH JULIAN DATE CODES OF 200 THROUGH 223 ARE SUSPECT AND WILL BE REPLACED.

04V332000Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil SpringsReported 15/07/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS. IN ADDITION, FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ALL OTHER STATES, FOR FRACTURE ONLY, UP TO 10…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 175 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB160068	2016-04-21	Suspension	Safety recall 04S17 - Front coil springs - requests for recall service action
16-0068	2016-04-21	Suspension	For 1999-2001 Taurus or Sable vehicles Safety Recall 04S17 has been issued for vehicles…
TSB-14-0165	2014-09-09	Suspension	MERCURY/FORD: SAFETY RECALL REGARDING FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE ON VEHICLES…
TSB-14-0149	2014-08-11	Suspension	MERCURY/FORD: FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE, AFTER OPERATING, FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF…
18614	2005-05-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SURGE, IDLE ROLL, ROUGH IDLE ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE COOLING FANS ARE OPERATING. *TT

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 Sable. 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 58R 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 Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 Sable take?

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

Does the 1999 Sable have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Sable get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined mpg.