JeepGrand Cherokee19993.1L/jeep/grand-cherokee/1999/3-1l/
WJ platform

1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee — 3.1L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 Grand Cherokee 3.1L.

Body SUVEngine 3.1LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.1L is a WJ platform SUV equipped with a 3.1L engine and an Automatic 4-spd transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 14/19/16 mpg, while maintenance requires 6 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API oil. Researchers should note the vehicle accumulates 2113 total owner complaints and 14 recalls, with Service Brakes, Hydraulic identified as the top complaint area. Across the model's 1993-2026 history, this complaint volume positions the 1999 model year near the higher end of complaint volumes, falling just short of the 2369 complaints recorded during the peak in 2014.

Model year20001999

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · 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 OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and cabin air filter are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Tire sizeP225-75R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53007386AB discontinued
Fuel filter68193494AA discontinued
Spark plugSP000ZFR5N alt 68303918AA
BatteryBB65F121AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades05012611AD
Serpentine belt04854033AC alt 05135745AA
Thermostat52028186AC alt 68174083AA
Cabin air filter68535603AA discontinued

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.5 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height69.3 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3739 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.4 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 6 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, Rear: 9 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilRear: 9
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.6 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidMS-5931

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts130 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity7.44 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Engine Oil Pressure4 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket21-30 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle66-85 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.030
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.95 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.95 in / 0.394 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 7,500 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBands (adjust) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 51,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 Jeep Grand Cherokee marks a pronounced spike in federal complaints—2,113, the highest within its generation—while recalls remained steady at 14, consistent with adjacent years. This surge interrupts a gradual upward trend in complaints from 1993 to 1998, suggesting either a concentration of latent defects or heightened reporting for this model year. Complaints center overwhelmingly on hydraulic brakes (591) and powertrain (328), areas that saw elevated scrutiny in Technical Service Bulletins (193 for 1999, a generation peak). Crash-related complaints (171) and fire reports (43) also exceed typical levels for the era, reinforcing concerns about safety-critical systems. Compared to 2000, which saw a modest decline in complaints (1,885) and fewer TSBs (133), the 1999 model appears to be a relative outlier in reliability. **Takeaway: Avoid the 1999 Grand Cherokee unless thorough pre-purchase inspection—particularly of brakes and transmission—confirms these high-risk systems are defect-free.**

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
193
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2,113
Owner complaints
171 involved a crash · 43 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2,113 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic591
Power Train328
Visibility142
Engine & Engine Cooling103
Air Bags96
Seats96
Suspension52
Electrical System51

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E022000Service Brakes, HydraulicReported 13/03/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA… Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER…

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 193 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 Grand Cherokee. 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 Grand Cherokee 3.1L take?

6 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 Grand Cherokee have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.1L get?

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