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1999 Ford Taurus

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Ford Taurus is a passenger car featuring a 4-speed automatic transmission and a fuel economy rating of 17/26/20 mpg, utilizing 5.5 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil. This model year is associated with 8 recalls and 954 total owner complaints, with the suspension serving as the top complaint area. In the context of the model's 1990-2019 history, the 1999 iteration's complaint volume falls between the series high of 1,822 in 1993 and the series low of 11 in 2019.

Model year2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 1999

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-105 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/26/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 58R SOHC · 540 SOHC 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 58R SOHC · 540 SOHC CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP205-65R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	197.6 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	55.1 in
Wheelbase	108.7 in
Curb weight	3327 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 26 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	101 cu ft
Cargo volume	16 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

6.6–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.60 sec — 1991 SHO Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2000	SE Sedan 3.0L V6	8.10 sec	16.10 sec	145 hp	FWD
2000	SE Sedan 3.0L V6	8.30 sec	16.30 sec	145 hp	FWD
1997	SHO Sedan 3.4L V8	7.50 sec	15.70 sec	235 hp	FWD
1997	LX Sedan 3.0L V6	8.20 sec	16.20 sec	145 hp	FWD
1996	SHO Sedan 3.4L V8	8.00 sec	16.20 sec	235 hp	FWD
1996	LX Sedan 3.0L V6	8.70 sec	16.50 sec	145 hp	FWD
1996	LX Wagon 3.0L V6	8.90 sec	16.70 sec	145 hp	FWD
1996	LX Sedan 3.0L V6	9.40 sec	16.90 sec	145 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-105 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. 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 Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	30-44 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	13-16 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14-20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	30-44 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-105 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180-200 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	780 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	20 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	900 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.042-0.046 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.13 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	58R SOHC
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 SOHC cca
Optional BCI Group Number	36R DOHC or Optional
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	650 DOHC or Optional cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	193-200 °F
Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	193-200 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	30.0-45.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 DOHC ohms

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	23-28 ft-lbs / 65-87 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	65-87 ft-lbs / 85-105 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.030
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in / 0.0024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	Turn 90 degrees.	90 degrees
3	Loosen 1 turn.
4	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees.	90 degrees
6	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	59 ft. lbs.	59 ft. lbs
2	mum of one full turn
3	33-41 ft. lbs.	33–41 ft. lbs
4	63-73

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	Loosen bolts 1 turn.
3	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees
5	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	20-23 ft. lbs.	20–23 ft. lbs
2	turn 85-95

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; spark plugs every 100,000 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 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Transmission Filter (replace)

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 Taurus sits at a pivotal point in the model's federal record. Complaints had declined from a 1996 peak of 967 down to 587 in 1998, but the 1999 model year marks a reversal—complaints surged back to 954 and investigations jumped from zero to two, foreshadowing a significant deterioration that would peak in 2002 with 1,471 complaints and nine NHTSA investigations. The 1999 Taurus recorded eight recalls and 204 TSBs, both moderate figures, but notably the top complaint categories (Suspension at 173, Vehicle Speed Control at 93, Steering at 88, and Service Brakes at 77) indicate emerging structural and safety-system concerns that would intensify in subsequent years. With 65 crash-related complaints and 20 fire complaints, the 1999 sits just before the worst of the reliability crisis for this generation. This is not a good year to buy. The 1999 Taurus represents the early stage of a clear upward trend in consumer complaints, investigations, and serious safety issues (crashes and fires) that would worsen through 2002. Buyers seeking a used Taurus from this generation would be better served by the later model years (2004-2009), where complaints had dramatically declined and the platform had stabilized.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

204

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

954

Owner complaints

65 involved a crash · 20 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98’99’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 954 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension173

Vehicle Speed Control93

Steering88

Service Brakes, Hydraulic77

Engine & Engine Cooling74

Power Train73

Seat Belts52

Visibility46

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 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…

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL… Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 204 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB160068	2016-04-21	Suspension	Safety recall 04S17 - Front coil springs - requests for recall service action
16-0068	2016-04-21	Suspension	For 1999-2001 Taurus or Sable vehicles Safety Recall 04S17 has been issued for vehicles…
TSB-14-0165	2014-09-09	Suspension	MERCURY/FORD: SAFETY RECALL REGARDING FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE ON VEHICLES…
TSB-14-0149	2014-08-11	Suspension	MERCURY/FORD: FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE, AFTER OPERATING, FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF…
CSP-08B01	2008-05-16	Engine And Engine Cooling	FORD: CERTAIN 1999-2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN NEW YORK AND…

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 Taurus. 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 58R battery Vehicles taking 5.5 qt

Reference guides

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

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 Taurus take?

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

Does the 1999 Taurus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Taurus get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined mpg.