LincolnNavigator1999Overview/lincoln/navigator/1999/base/

1999 Lincoln Navigator

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

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Lincoln Navigator is an SUV that requires 6.0 quarts of 5W‑20 API engine oil and is equipped with a four‑speed automatic transmission. It carries an EPA fuel‑economy rating of 11/16/13 mpg and is notable for having seven recalls, with tires being the most frequently reported owner complaint area. With 141 total owner complaints, the 1999 model sits below the 1998 peak of 209 complaints but above the 2023 low of six, positioning it in the middle of the Navigator’s complaint history from 1997 through 2027.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920181999

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
EPA fuel economy11/16/13 mpgEPA · 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 sizeP245-75R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length204.7 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height76.8 in
Wheelbase118.9 in
Curb weight5584 lb
Track (front / rear)65.4 / 65.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 16 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

8.5–9.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 1999 SUV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1999SUV 5.4L V88.50 sec16.30 sec300 hp4x4
1999SUV 5.4L V89.90 sec17.40 sec300 hp4x4
1998SUV 5.4L V810.20 sec17.40 sec230 hp4x4
1998SUV 5.4L V810.30 sec17.70 sec230 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 oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. 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 CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case FluidATF

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 15.0; Upper: 15.0-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug8.0-12.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

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

Ignition

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
Ignition Timing10, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

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

Pressure Test13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-45
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust 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

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts lightly with specified oil

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees

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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (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)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (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.

In 1999 the Navigator generated 141 complaints, 7 recalls and 3 investigations, figures that are lower than the 209 complaints and 6 recalls of 1998 but still above the 136 complaints and 7 recalls of 2000. The complaint trajectory shows a sharp rise in 1998 followed by a modest decline in 1999, after which complaints trend downward through the early 2000s before occasional spikes later, indicating that 1999 sits at the tail end of an early‑generation peak. The 1999 model recorded 12 fire‑related complaints, and the top complaint categories were tires (31), engine & engine cooling (18), suspension (9) and visibility (9). The data does not specify a root cause for these complaints, only that they are recorded under those categories. Consequently, the 1999 model year is not the optimal choice for a used purchase without a thorough inspection.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
264
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
141
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 12 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 141 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires31
Engine & Engine Cooling18
Suspension9
Visibility9
Wheels8
Electrical System7
Power Train7
Vehicle Speed Control6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 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.

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 264 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
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…
065132006-01-01Engine And Engine CoolingENGINE MISFIRE WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) PEWEE, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305…
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
05542005-03-21Engine And Engine CoolingUSE OF STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST STUDS IN SERVICE FOR 5.4L 2V ENGINE. *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 Navigator. 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 Navigator take?

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

Does the 1999 Navigator have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Navigator get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined mpg.