DodgeDakota20012.5L/dodge/dakota/2001/2-5l/
AN platform

2001 Dodge Dakota — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Dakota 2.5L.

Body TRUCKEngine 2.5LTransmission Manual 5-spd

The 2001 Dodge Dakota 2.5L is a pickup truck built on the AN platform and powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, while requiring 4.5 quarts of 10W-30 API-certified motor oil for service. In terms of reliability, the 2001 model recorded 686 owner complaints with suspension issues being the most frequently cited problem area, and it was subject to 14 recalls throughout its production life. Compared to the model's complaint history from 1990 to 2011, where complaints peaked at 842 in 2000 and fell to a low of just 18 in 2009, the 2001 Dakota sits in a middle period that reflects the transition between these extremes, suggesting moderate but not insignificant reliability concerns relative to the nameplate's later-year improvements.

Model year2002200120001999199819941993

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/23/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-75R15XLOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter04798825AD discontinued
Spark plug68303918AA alt 68303921AA
BatteryBB27F101AA
Front wiper blades55077091AD
Serpentine belt05135746AA alt 53010304AB
Thermostat68174083AA alt 52028185AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionManual 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length209.4 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase131.1 in
Curb weight3805 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61.4 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 23 / 20 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 4.5 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil, GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. 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 OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5 Pints,
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings33 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts80 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsTighten all bolts in sequence
Engine Flywheel Bolts105 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs

Ignition

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
Spark Plug Gap0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-20
Oil Capacity7.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief19-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance10.8-13.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket18-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle95-125 ft-lbs
Drum Runout Limit0.008 in
Drum Nominal Diameter10 in / 11 in / 9 in
Drum Maximum Machining10.06 in / 11.06 in / 9.06 in
Drum Discard at-or-over10.09 / 11.09 / 9.09
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Tighten bolts 1-10, 20 N##m (15 ft. lbs.).15 ft. lbs
2Tighten bolts 1-10, 47 N##m (35 ft. lbs.). Tighten bolts 11-14, 25 N##m (18 ft. lbs.).35 ft. lbs
3Tighten bolts 1-10, 90 degrees. Tighten bolts 11-14, 30 N##m (22 ft. lbs.).90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lbs. at a time.), step 2: bolts 5-12: 6 ft. lbs., step 3: all to 6 ft. lbs., step 4: all to 12 ft. lbs., step 5: all to 126 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
140 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 ft. lbs., Step 3: 8040 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 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 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 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (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 Dakota sits near the peak of this generation's federal activity, with 686 complaints and 14 recalls—the highest recall count in the year-by-year record—though both complaints and TSBs (72) declined from the 2000 high of 842 complaints and 106 TSBs. Compared with 2002 (694 complaints, 12 recalls, 55 TSBs), 2001 is statistically similar, while 2003 marks a steeper drop to 295 complaints and 11 recalls, suggesting the 2000-2002 window carried the most concentrated scrutiny. The top complaint categories for 2001 are suspension (206 reports), service brakes/hydraulic (93), power train (65), and electrical system (31), with 44 crash-related and 11 fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. Across the broader arc, complaints rose sharply from the mid-1990s, crested in 2000, and then trended downward after 2002, placing 2001 at the tail end of the worst period rather than in the cleanup phase. Given that 2001 still carries elevated recall exposure and the second-highest complaint volume of the generation, it is not the cleanest year to buy; a 2003 or later example would likely present a lower-risk used purchase based purely on this federal record.

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
72
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
686
Owner complaints
44 involved a crash · 11 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 686 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension206
Service Brakes, Hydraulic93
Power Train65
Electrical System31
Engine & Engine Cooling31
Air Bags29
Steering28
Tires26

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 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…

04V596000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball JointReported 21/12/2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 72 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 Dakota. 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 Dakota 2.5L take?

4.5 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Dakota have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg.