FordExpedition1999Overview/ford/expedition/1999/base/

1999 Ford Expedition

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

Body SUV

Defined as an SUV requiring 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API oil, the 1999 Ford Expedition represents a significant data point within the model's covered history from 1991 to 2027, having accumulated 1007 total owner complaints and 9 recalls. With Engine & Engine Cooling identified as the top complaint area, this model year marks the highest volume of reported issues compared to the lowest count of 1 in 1991. This positioning makes the 1999 Expedition a critical benchmark for researchers assessing reliability trends.

Model year202520242023202120202019201820171999

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. 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 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-, 7.5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length204.7 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height76.4 in
Wheelbase119.3 in
Curb weight4799 lb
Track (front / rear)65.4 / 65.4 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Expedition of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.5–10.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.50 sec — 2002 XLT
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2000XLT 5.4L V89.90 sec17.30 sec260 hp4x4
1997Eddie Bauer 5.4L V89.90 sec17.40 sec230 hp4x4
1997XLT 5.4L V810.60 sec18.00 sec230 hp4x4
2002XLT 5.4L V89.50 sec17.10 sec260 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. 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
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.7 Pints ( rear)
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6-9 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55-64 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15-22 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17-20 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 15-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17-20 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 1.5 ft-lbs; Upper: 15-

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)755 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)75 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)10 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type68
Oil CapacityLess auxiliary A/C, 9.00. With auxiliary A/C, 13.00. oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65
Optional BCI Cranking Performance750 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-45
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 21-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle70 ft-lbs / 136 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.4 in / 1.09 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 12033 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 12033 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., Step 2: loosen one turn, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9066 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: Loosen one turn., step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9066 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 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.

At 5,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miDriveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

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 Ford Expedition marks the peak of federal complaints for its generation, with 1,007 reports—an increase from 901 in 1998 and surpassing the 964 complaints in 2000. This year also ties 1997 for the highest number of recalls (9) and maintains the elevated investigation level (5) seen in 1998, suggesting persistent unresolved issues, particularly in engine and engine cooling (223 complaints) and tires (193 complaints). The data shows a clear trend of escalating problems during the first three years of production (1997–1999), followed by a gradual decline in complaints and recalls in subsequent model years, indicating Ford addressed many early-generation flaws. However, the 1999 model’s high fire-related complaints (81) and crash reports (54) underscore lingering safety concerns. While recalls were actively issued, the concentration of complaints in critical systems implies higher risk of unreported or unresolved defects. **Takeaway: The 1999 Expedition is a poor choice for a used purchase due to its position at the apex of reliability and safety issues for this generation.**

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
315
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,007
Owner complaints
54 involved a crash · 81 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,007 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling223
Tires193
Visibility101
Electrical System85
Power Train49
Suspension46
Vehicle Speed Control45
Service Brakes, Hydraulic24

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E056000Fuel System, GasolineReported 13/06/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK… Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

06E067000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 01/08/2006

CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC… Remedy: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 315 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CSP-08B012008-05-16Engine And Engine CoolingFORD: CERTAIN 1999-2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN NEW YORK AND…
SP-08B012008-05-01Engine And Engine CoolingFORD SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CSC LETTER WAS…
072122007-10-01Engine And Engine CoolingSOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…
0416012005-11-14Engine And Engine CoolingWDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR…
056182005-04-01Power TrainREAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR. *TT

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 Expedition. 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 Expedition take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 Expedition have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.