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1999 Chevrolet Prizm

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1999 Chevrolet Prizm is a passenger car whose engine calls for 3.9 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, paired with an automatic three-speed transmission and EPA-rated fuel economy of 24/30/26 mpg. Within the 1990–2002 model run, the 1999 edition sits near the upper end of the complaint spectrum with 43 owner-reported complaints, just under the 2001 peak of 50 and well above the 1990 low of one. Air bags stand out as the top complaint area, and the model year carries one recall, so researchers should treat it as a higher-complaint year in the Prizm's later history rather than a low-point.

Model year2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy24/30/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 310 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25161880. Note the factory thermostat is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 35 · 310 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-75R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-, 6.5-JJ; 6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	25161880 alt 25329391
Engine air filter	94856888
Fuel filter	94856919
Spark plug	94859009
Front wiper blades	94857770 alt 94857769
Thermostat	94856782 discontinued · alt 94856781

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 3-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	24 / 30 / 26 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	88 cu ft
Cargo volume	12 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 Prizm of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 2000 LSi Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2000	LSi Sedan 1.8L I-4	8.30 sec	16.60 sec	125 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 26.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.9 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.9 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	105 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	13 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	37 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	26.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	166 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.45-.65 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	11,400-18,400 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Denso
Spark Plug Type	SR16R-11
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.65 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	150
Oil Capacity	8.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	310 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	13 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
RPM	44-50 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	11.8-12.6 na ohms
Engine Compression	100
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Engine Compression	215 Nominal psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	65 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.787 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	18 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	36 ft. lbs.	36 ft. lbs
3	90

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.

Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

Compared with earlier years, the 1999 model shows a sharp rise in complaints — jumping from 1 in 1996 to 47 in 1998 and 43 in 1999 — while recalls held steady at one per year from 1998 onward and investigations were absent after 1990. Technical service bulletin volume increased dramatically from 2 in 1996 to 39 in 1998, 42 in 1999, then surged to 245 in 2000, indicating an escalating service bulletin trend through the generation. In 1999 the most frequent complaint categories were Air Bags (9), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (5), Tires (4), and Engine & Engine Cooling (4), accompanied by 8 crash‑related and 2 fire‑related complaints. Complaint counts dipped slightly to 35 in 2000 before peaking at 50 in 2001 and falling to 32 in 2002, placing 1999 near the high point of the complaint arc for this generation. Given the elevated number of complaints and technical service bulletins relative to surrounding years, a 1999 Chevrolet Prizm presents a higher likelihood of reported issues, suggesting caution unless the purchase price reflects this increased risk.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

8 involved a crash · 2 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’96 ’98’99’00 ’01 ’02

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 43 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags9

Service Brakes, Hydraulic5

Tires4

Engine & Engine Cooling4

Exterior Lighting3

Wheels2

Electrical System2

Seats2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10E002000SuspensionReported 11/02/2010

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED… Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 42 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
17-NA-073	2023-02-21	Equipment	This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…
PIP4723F	2022-01-14	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIP4723D	2020-01-31	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
19NA273	2019-12-02	Electrical System	This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to…
PIC4696E	2019-11-22	Equipment	This 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 Prizm. 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 35 battery Vehicles taking 3.9 qt Engine oil filter 25161880 Engine air filter 94856888 Fuel filter 94856919 Spark plug 94859009

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 Prizm take?

3.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 Prizm have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Prizm get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined mpg.