Dodge›RAM Pickup›1999›3.9L V6/dodge/ram-pickup/1999/3-9l-v6/

BR platform

1999 Dodge RAM Pickup — 3.9L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 RAM Pickup 3.9L V6.

Engine 3.9L V6Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Dodge RAM Pickup utilizes the BR platform and features a 3.9L V6 engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. This configuration delivers an EPA-rated 13/18/15 mpg and requires 4.0 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API engine oil. Within the 1995-2002 model history, the 1999 year is the least reliable, recording a peak of 33 owner complaints—primarily regarding the structure—compared to a low of 8 in 2000, despite having zero recalls.

Model year1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

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 torque130-160 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy13/18/15 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. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size6400 GVWROEM · verified

Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB
Engine air filter	53004383AC
Fuel filter	04798825AD discontinued
Spark plug	68303921AA alt 68308887AA
Battery	BB27F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades	55076910AA discontinued
Serpentine belt	53010303AC alt 53010304AB
Thermostat	52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	220.1 in
Overall width	79.1 in
Overall height	71.7 in
Wheelbase	139 in
Curb weight	4641 lb
Track (front / rear)	66.5 / 66.9 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	13 / 18 / 15 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular 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 130-160 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.5 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4 Pints,
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	45 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Steps	Step 1 -
Engine Flywheel Bolts	55 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	85 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	6010
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	6010
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	6010
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	6010
Lug Nuts	130-160 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	200 rpm
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	SP-10
Oil Capacity	8.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	27

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	192-199 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	10.8-13.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure	30-80 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Other	Heavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Other	Light Duty / Heavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the 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 6,000 mi	Brake Linings (adjust) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect)

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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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.

1999 represents a notable peak in complaints within this generation, recording 33 complaints—significantly higher than both 1998 (20) and the following year 2000 (8). The data shows a clear arc where complaints rose from 1995 through 1999, then dropped sharply in 2000 before rising again in 2002 with an accompanying recall. The dominant complaint category for 1999 was Structure (10 instances), with Service Brakes, Air Bags, and Suspension each contributing 3-4 complaints, while crash-related complaints numbered 2 and fire complaints were absent. Notably, 1999 had no recalls or NHTSA investigations, though 2000 introduced 1 investigation and 2002 brought 1 recall alongside 24 complaints. Given the complaint peak in 1999 relative to surrounding years, this model year may carry higher structural and braking-related risk compared to later years in the generation.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’95 ’98’99’00 ’02

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 33 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure10

Service Brakes, Hydraulic4

Air Bags3

Suspension3

Engine & Engine Cooling3

Seat Belts2

Unknown Or Other2

Power Train2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9002849	2014-09-03	Equipment	Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission…
0801003	2003-04-25	Seat Belts	SEAT BELT CINCH BAR SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 MODELS. *TT
1400203	2003-04-11	Fuel System, Diesel	DIESEL FUEL TRANSFER PUMP DIAGNOSIS. *TT
0801001	2001-05-25	Electrical System	SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL…
976	2001-04-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	ON SOME VEHICLES THE ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT A CATALYST FAILURE…

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 RAM Pickup. 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 27 battery Vehicles taking 4.0 qt BR-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 53004383AC Fuel filter 04798825AD Spark plug 68303921AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 RAM Pickup 3.9L V6 take?

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

Does the 1999 RAM Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.9L V6 get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined mpg.