DodgeDurango20015.9L/dodge/durango/2001/5-9l/
DN platform

2001 Dodge Durango — 5.9L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Durango 5.9L.

Body SUVEngine 5.9LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Dodge Durango 5.9L is a body-on-frame SUV built on the DN platform, pairing its 5.9-liter engine with a four-speed automatic and EPA ratings of 11 city, 16 highway, and 13 combined mpg. Routine service runs through a 5.0-quart sump of 10W-30 API oil, in keeping with the truck-based Durango's straightforward mechanicals. The reliability ledger shows 686 total owner complaints and seven recalls filed against this model year, with suspension emerging as the most frequently flagged area. Within the Durango's 1997-2026 complaint history, the 2001 lands well above the model's 1997 low of just 4 complaints but a long way from the 1999 peak of 2,043 — placing it as a mid-tier year whose issues reflect the typical rough edges of a truck-derived SUV rather than a chronic weak spot.

Model year200320022001200019991998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 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 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 Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 sizeP255-65R16SLOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter05012351AB discontinued
Spark plug68303918AA alt 68303921AA
BatteryBB27F101AA
Front wiper blades55077091AD
Serpentine belt05135746AA alt 53010303AC
Thermostat68174083AA alt 52028185AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height72 in
Wheelbase116.1 in
Curb weight4597 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

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.

No 2001 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

8.1–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2000 R/T 5.9 V8
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2000R/T 5.9 V8 5.9L V88.10 sec16.30 sec250 hpAWD
2002R/T 5.9 V8 5.9L V88.30 sec16.40 sec245 hpAWD
1998SLT 5.9 V8 5.9L V88.20 sec16.10 sec245 hpAWD
1998SLT 5.9 V8 5.9L V88.70 sec16.60 sec245 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 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.

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 Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings48 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 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 ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug TypeRC12LC4
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-20
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27
Optional BCI Cranking Performance750 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
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure30-80 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket18-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle95-125 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.945 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.89 in
Rotor Finish15-80 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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

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 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark 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 Durango sits near the midpoint of a sharp decline in consumer complaints that peaked in 1999 (2,043 complaints) and fell from 1,116 in 2000 to 686 in 2001, continuing down to 338 by 2003. While complaints dropped, recall activity rose modestly, with 7 recalls in 2001—the highest count in the early‑2000s segment and above the 4–6 recalls seen from 1997‑2000. Investigations increased to 5 in 2001, matching the upward trend that would peak at 10 in 2005, indicating growing regulatory attention despite fewer complaints. The most frequent problem areas in 2001 were Suspension (210 reports), Power Train (80), Electrical System (56) and Engine & Engine Cooling (41), and the model logged 61 crash‑related and 21 fire‑related complaints. Overall, 2001 reflects a year where issue volume was already falling but manufacturers were still issuing a relatively high number of recalls, suggesting lingering reliability concerns; prospective buyers should weigh the lower complaint count against the elevated recall activity before deciding if this is a good purchase year.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
76
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
686
Owner complaints
61 involved a crash · 21 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 686 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension210
Power Train80
Electrical System56
Engine & Engine Cooling41
Service Brakes, Hydraulic30
Air Bags25
Seats23
Steering18

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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.

08E064000Suspension:Front:HubReported 20/10/2008

SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION… Remedy: SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 76 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
91006452025-08-15Unknown Or OtherVerify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
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…

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 Durango. 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 Durango 5.9L take?

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

Does the 2001 Durango have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 5.9L get?

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