DodgeDakota19993.9L/dodge/dakota/1999/3-9l/
AN platform

1999 Dodge Dakota — 3.9L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 Dakota 3.9L.

Body TRUCKEngine 3.9LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Dodge Dakota is an AN-platform truck powered by a 3.9L engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. It maintains an EPA-rated fuel economy of 14/19/16 mpg and requires 4.0 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API engine oil. Within the model's 1990-2011 production history, this year recorded 690 total owner complaints—centered primarily on the suspension—and 10 recalls, placing it just below the 2000 model's peak of 842 complaints.

Model year20032002200120001999199819941993

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. 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 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255-65R16SLOEM · verified
Wheel / rim9-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Spark plug68303921AA alt 68304022AA
BatteryBB27F101AA
Front wiper blades55077091AD alt 55077090AA
Serpentine belt53010303AC alt 04854258
Thermostat52028186AC alt 52028185AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length209.8 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height65.7 in
Wheelbase131.1 in
Curb weight3556 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 61.4 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 19 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4 Pints,
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings45 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsTighten all bolts in sequence
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Main Bearings85 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)200 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.6-0.8 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance12,000-18,000 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-10
Oil Capacity8.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance10.8-13.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket18-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle95-125 ft-lbs
Drum Runout Limit0.008 in
Drum Nominal Diameter10 in / 11 in / 9 in
Drum Maximum Machining10.06 in / 11.06 in / 9.06 in
Drum Discard at-or-over10.09 / 11.09 / 9.09
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 15,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 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 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 37,500 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (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 Dodge Dakota generated 690 federal complaints, 10 recalls, 1 investigation, and 99 TSBs—higher complaints than 1998 (574) but fewer recalls and TSBs, while 2000 escalated further to 842 complaints, 12 recalls, 4 investigations, and 106 TSBs. Across the generation, the 1997–2000 window forms a clear problem peak, with complaints rising from 487 to 842 and recalls staying in double digits, so 1999 sits just below the worst point of that arc. The top complaint areas for 1999 were Suspension (277), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (56), Engine & Engine Cooling (54), and Power Train (37), plus 51 crash-related and 8 fire complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. Relative to the lower-complaint years before 1997 and the gradual decline after 2000, 1999 is a high-exposure year rather than a safe midpoint. **Takeaway:** A 1999 Dakota is a riskier used-truck choice than adjacent older or newer years; buy only with documented maintenance history, verified recall completion, and a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
99
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
690
Owner complaints
51 involved a crash · 8 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 690 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension277
Service Brakes, Hydraulic56
Engine & Engine Cooling54
Power Train37
Steering,Suspension36
Air Bags22
Steering21
Tires19

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 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…

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 99 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…
DOR-X6W2U-062020-03-23Electrical SystemThis SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold…
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 Dakota. 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 Dakota 3.9L take?

4.0 qt of Above 0 F: 10W-30 API, Below 32 F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 Dakota have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.9L get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.