DodgeViper2001Overview/dodge/viper/2001/base/
SR platform

2001 Dodge Viper

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

Transmission Manual 6-spd

The 2001 Dodge Viper, built on the SR platform, couples a hand‑shifting 6‑speed manual gearbox with a high‑output V10 that delivers a distinctive driving experience, while its EPA rating of 10/19/13 mpg underscores its performance‑first design. This model year, noted for its solitary owner complaint in the Fuel/Propulsion System area and only three recalls, sits at the bottom of the Viper’s complaint spectrum—its 1 complaint contrasts sharply with the 12 complaints that peaked in 2002—illustrating a period of relative reliability within the broader 1992‑2016 Viper lineage.

Model year201720162015201420132010200920082001

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque80-100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy10/19/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 650 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter, front wiper blades and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 78 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275-35ZR18; REAR: P335-30ZR18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim10; Rear: 13 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter05245265AE
Fuel filter04708317 discontinued
Spark plug68304020AA
BatteryBB78F101AA
Front wiper blades04642532 discontinued
Serpentine belt04763795AD alt 04763863AC
Thermostat53041078AC discontinued · alt 04763839AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionManual 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.8 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height44.1 in
Wheelbase96.1 in
Curb weight3424 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 60.6 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined10 / 19 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

4.1–4.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.10 sec — 2001 GTS Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001GTS Coupe 8.0L V104.10 sec12.20 sec450 hpRWD
2001GTS ACR Coupe 8.0L V104.16 sec12.19 sec450 hpRWD
2001GTS ACR Coupe 8.0L V104.30 sec12.60 sec450 hpRWD
2001GTS ACR Coupe 8.0L V104.30 sec12.40 sec450 hpRWD
2000GTS ACR Coupe 8.0L V103.90 sec12.40 sec450 hpRWD
2000GTS ACR Coupe 8.0L V104.00 sec12.10 sec450 hpRWD
2000RT/10 Roadster 8.0L V104.25 sec12.33 sec450 hpRWD
1999GT2 Coupe 8.0L V104.00 sec12.10 sec450 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 80-100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings63 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80-100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug Gap0.033-0.038 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.88 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity4.75 oz
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance10.8-13.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.244 in / 0.871 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.264 in / 0.85 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.197 in / 0.803 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 8520 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 60,000 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 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Suspension Ball Joint (lubricate) · Tie Rod (lubricate)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark 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 model year represents a notable low point in owner complaints within the Viper's production arc, recording only one complaint compared to four in 2000 and a dramatic spike to twelve in 2002. While recalls remained moderate at three units—down from four consecutive years of four recalls annually from 1997 to 2000—this year marks the calm before the 2002 complaint surge, which saw zero recalls but twelve complaints. Federal data shows 2001 carried no crash or fire complaints, with its sole reported issue falling under Fuel/Propulsion System, though the specific root cause is unspecified. Given its position at the trough of the complaint cycle and reduced recall volume relative to the surrounding half-decade, 2001 stands out as a statistically favorable year to purchase.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
28
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 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…

00V366000Child SeatReported 09/11/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE… Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 28 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 Viper. 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

Does the 2001 Viper have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Viper get?

EPA figures are 10 city / 19 highway / 13 combined mpg.