ChryslerLHS19993.2L/chrysler/lhs/1999/3-2l/
LH platform

1999 Chrysler LHS — 3.2L

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

Engine 3.2LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Chrysler LHS is an LH-platform vehicle powered by a 3.2L engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission, achieving an EPA rating of 16/24/19 mpg. This configuration utilizes 5.5 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil when changed with a filter. Across the model's 1993-2004 history, this year recorded four recalls and 165 owner complaints—with vehicle speed control as the primary issue—placing it between the 1994 peak of 412 complaints and the 2003 low of one.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-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the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, spark plug, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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
BatteryBB34F101AA
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 length207.9 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb weight3589 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume107 cu ft
Cargo volume19 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 5.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-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
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 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 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 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 Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (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)
At 105,000 miTiming 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 Chrysler LHS represents a sharp departure from the near-perfect 1998 model, which recorded only 3 complaints—the lowest in the entire generation. In contrast, 1999 saw complaints surge to 165, the second-highest count after the 1994 peak of 412, while recalls increased to 4 (matching the generation high) and TSBs reached 147, also near the series maximum. This spike suggests a significant quality or design issue emerged in the 1999 model year, likely related to the top complaint areas of Vehicle Speed Control (20), Steering (19), and Structure (15), with 29 crash-related complaints and 2 fire complaints adding further concern. Notably, 2000 saw complaints drop back to 92 and subsequent years improved dramatically, indicating the problem may have been model-specific rather than systemic. The data does not specify the exact root cause of the 1999 spike. Given this context, the 1999 model year appears to be the least reliable in the generation and is not the best year to buy a used LHS—opt for a 2002‑2004 example if available.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
147
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
165
Owner complaints
29 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 165 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control20
Steering19
Structure15
Air Bags11
Electrical System11
Visibility8
Seats8
Engine & Engine Cooling7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

01V119000Seat Belts:Front:RetractorReported 11/04/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND…

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 147 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
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…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

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 LHS. 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 LHS 3.2L take?

5.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 LHS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 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.