Chrysler300m19993.2L/chrysler/300m/1999/3-2l/
LH platform

1999 Chrysler 300m — 3.2L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 300m 3.2L.

Engine 3.2LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Chrysler 300m, built on the LH platform and powered by a 3.2‑liter engine, exemplifies the brand’s mid‑size luxury offering of the era, equipped with a 4‑speed automatic transmission and a 5‑quart capacity oil system that requires either 5W‑30 or 10W‑30 API‑rated oil; its EPA rating of 16/24/19 mpg reflects the balance between performance and fuel economy typical of the model line. This particular year stands out in the 300m’s reliability record, recording the highest complaint total of 357 owners’ grievances—primarily related to structural issues—within the 1993‑2004 coverage window, a figure that dwarfs the single complaint logged in 1994; the 1999 model also had three recalls, underscoring the need for attentive maintenance and vigilance among owners.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, spark plug, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04591099AB discontinued
Fuel filter04546610 discontinued · alt 05003960AA
Spark plug68304017AA discontinued
Front wiper blades05011206AC alt 05011207AB
Serpentine belt04892479AB discontinued · alt 04663950AF
Thermostat68027789AA discontinued · alt 04792239AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length197.6 in
Overall width82.7 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb weight3567 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume105 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. 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 FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts85 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts75 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsM6, 8.8 ft-lbs, M8, 21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub110-130 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub124 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)525 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)175 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.4-.6 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.058-0.057 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.56 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)53.0-63.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.458 in / 1.019 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
140 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9040 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
145 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
265 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
365 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
490 degrees bolt torque after 90 degree turn should be over 90 ft.lbs., if not replace bolt.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten the cap bolts to finger tight. Step 215 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 100,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 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 Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miIgnition Timing (inspect)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

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 model year represents a dramatic inflection point in the federal record, with complaint volume surging to 357 from zero reported in 1998, while recalls tripled to 3 and technical service bulletins peaked at 145. This year marks the onset of elevated regulatory activity that continues through 2000—when recalls hit their generational maximum of 7—before declining steadily through 2004, positioning 1999 at the leading edge of a high-defect period rather than its resolution. Complaint concentration spans Structure (41), Air Bags (40), Steering (36), and Engine & Engine Cooling (24), with 32 crash-related and 6 fire-related incidents recorded, though the data does not specify root causes for these failures. Given that 1999 carries the highest complaint volume of the generation alongside the peak number of technical service bulletins indicating widespread service issues, prospective buyers should consider later model years such as 2003 or 2004, which show markedly lower complaint rates and fewer recalls.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
145
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
357
Owner complaints
32 involved a crash · 6 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 357 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure41
Air Bags40
Steering36
Engine & Engine Cooling24
Power Train22
Wheels18
Service Brakes, Hydraulic15
Seats14

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

00V034000Seat BeltsReported 04/02/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 145 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
RFI20210322_626-2021-03-22Fuel System, GasolineThis SKU is a Engine Heater Hose Assembly. The customer communication requested return of…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…

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 300m. 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 300m 3.2L take?

5 qt w/ filter of BELOW 32 F: 5W-30 API, BELOW 100 F: 5W-30 API, ABOVE 0 F: 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 300m have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.2L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.