OldsmobileAlero1999Overview/oldsmobile/alero/1999/base/

1999 Oldsmobile Alero

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1999 Oldsmobile Alero is a passenger car that employs a 4.5‑qt oil capacity with a 10W‑30 API rating. Within its model‑year spectrum from 1998 through 2004, it logged 504 total owner complaints, with the most frequent issues recorded in the Service Brakes, Hydraulic category and four separate recalls. Its complaint count sits above the lowest year (1998, 2 complaints) but below the peak year (2000, 581 complaints), placing the 1999 model in the middle of the Alero’s reliability trajectory. Consequently, the 1999 Alero reflects a transitional period of moderate reliability within the broader lineup.

Model year200420032002200120001999

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 75 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 75 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-60R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731175 alt 12731172
Engine air filter25161977
Fuel filter25121293 discontinued
Spark plug19301813 alt 19158037
Front wiper blades22711469 discontinued · alt 22711468
Serpentine belt12588408 alt 88984195
Thermostat24507563 alt 24577288

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length186.6 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height54.3 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight2965 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. 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

Engine CoolantDEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt
Power Steering FluidUSE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts9.2 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts12 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5,000-8,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Type41-942
Spark Plug Gap0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Type41-940
Spark Plug Gap0.060 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.75 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number75
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number75

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimumw/EGR: 58.0, w/out EGR: 47.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)w/EGR: 52-58, w/out EGR: 40-47
RPMw/EGR: 42-55, w/out EGR: 30-44 rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 @ 50-95 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket81 ft-lbs / 85 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0015 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.433 in / 1.031 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1129 ft. lbs., step 2: 90129 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
144 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Bolts 1-840 ft. lbs
2Bolts 9-1030 ft.lbs
390 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 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 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 miBrake System (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Hood Hinge (lubricate) · Hood Latch (lubricate)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1999 the Oldsmobile Alero received 504 complaints, a sharp rise from 2 in 1998, and 4 recalls, the first of the seven-year span. The 1999 complaints peak is followed by a moderate increase to 581 in 2000 and then a decline to 376 in 2001, indicating a downward trend after the peak year. The top complaint areas in 1999—Service Brakes (79), Electrical System (60), Engine & Engine Cooling (58), and Exterior Lighting (36)—show a concentration of mechanical and electrical issues, with 14 crash complaints and 11 fire complaints that year. Compared to the surrounding years, 1999 sits at the apex of the complaint arc, suggesting that this model year is less reliable than its immediate predecessors and successors. The data does not specify root causes for these issues. Given the high complaint volume and concentrated problem areas, 1999 is not the most favorable year to purchase a used Alero.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
158
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
504
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 11 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 504 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic79
Electrical System60
Engine & Engine Cooling58
Exterior Lighting36
Visibility33
Suspension31
Structure20
Power Train17

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V400000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 03/07/2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on…

07E021000Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Pressure Relief DevicesReported 12/03/2007

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE… Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 158 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
17-NA-0732023-02-21EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…
PIP4723F2022-01-14Service Brakes, HydraulicThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIP4723D2020-01-31Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
19NA2732019-12-02Electrical SystemThis informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to…
PIC4696E2019-11-22EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…

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 Alero. 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 Alero take?

4.5 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 Alero have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.