DodgeCaravan20012.4L L4/dodge/caravan/2001/2-4l-l4/
RS platform

2001 Dodge Caravan — 2.4L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Caravan 2.4L L4.

Body VANEngine 2.4L L4Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 2001 Dodge Caravan is a van built on Chrysler's RS platform and powered by a 2.4L inline-four mated to a three-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA figures of 18 mpg city, 22 highway, and 19 combined — modest numbers reflective of its utilitarian mission rather than any pretense of performance. Routine maintenance is straightforward, with a 5-quart oil capacity (filter included) and a specified 5W-30 API viscosity, keeping long-term ownership accessible for the do-it-yourselfer. Where this model year draws particular scrutiny is in its reliability record: 260 owner complaints and 10 recalls place it well below the brand's troubled 1996 peak of 1,647 complaints, yet the dominant complaint area — air bags — signals a safety concern that researchers and prospective owners should weigh carefully. Within the Caravan's broader complaint history spanning 1990 through 2017, the 2001 sits in the upper-mid range, meaning it is neither a standout year nor a catastrophe, but a model whose air-bag and recall profile warrants informed attention.

Model year200720062005200320022001200019991998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/22/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter and spark plug are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-70R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB alt 04105409AE
Engine air filter04861480AA
Fuel filter04809118AE discontinued
Spark plug68307021AA discontinued
BatteryBB34F101AA
Front wiper blades05096134AC
Serpentine belt04593684AA alt 04892444AA
Thermostat68210217AA alt 04573560AE
Cabin air filter82205905

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase113.4 in
Curb weight3763 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.2 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 22 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-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 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. 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 Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 21 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts100 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugPTU: 20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugPTU: 14.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.45-.65 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance7000-15,800 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure25-80 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD / WITH TEVES
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Use new bolts. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil. · M8 Bolts:

125.0 ft. lbs.; M11 Bolts:25 ft. lbs
145.0 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
265.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
365.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
490 degrees Do not use a torque wrench for this step.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
125.0 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
250.0 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
350.0 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 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 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 45,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)

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 2001 Dodge Caravan marks a distinct turning point in the generation's federal record, with complaints dropping sharply from 526 in 2000 to just 260, a low that continued into 2002 with 256 complaints. While the preceding years from 1996 to 2000 saw complaint volumes ranging from 526 to 1,647, the 2001 model sits at the start of a sustained downward arc that reached just 64 complaints by 2004. Although the data does not specify root causes, the 2001 model's top complaint areas were Air Bags (31), Suspension (25), Exterior Lighting (22), and Steering (20), alongside 9 crash and 3 fire complaints. The 2001 model also benefits from a lower investigation count of 2 compared to prior years, alongside a robust 134 technical service bulletins. Compared to the subsequent 2005 model's spike to 537 complaints, the 2001 model occupies a stable valley in the generation's lifecycle, making it a comparatively strong year to buy.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
134
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
260
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 3 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 260 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags31
Suspension25
Exterior Lighting22
Steering20
Power Train12
Visibility11
Fuel System, Gasoline10
Seat Belts9

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E048000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 08/08/2008

EAGLE EYES IS RECALLING 11,534 HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. CS090-B001L AND CS090-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE LOWER BEAM… Remedy: EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.

08E039000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 10/06/2008

MAXZONE IS RECALLING 2,520 HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 3341103L-AS AND 334-1103R-AS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2001-2007 DODGE CARAVAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO… Remedy: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 134 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…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
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…

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 Caravan. 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 2001 Caravan 2.4L L4 take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Caravan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L L4 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 22 highway / 19 combined mpg.