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2001 Ford Explorer

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

Body SUV

The 2001 Ford Explorer is an SUV requiring 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API oil, establishing the engine maintenance specifications for this model year. Ownership records indicate 765 total owner complaints and 14 recalls, with the Power Train designated as the top complaint area. When contextualized within the model's complaint history spanning 1990 to 2025, the 2001 edition sits well below the highest complaint year of 2002 but exceeds the lowest complaint count recorded in 1990. This intermediate position suggests a reliability profile that avoids the extreme complaint volumes of 2002 while still necessitating focused scrutiny on the Power Train.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2021 2020 2019 2018 2001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · 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. Note the factory thermostat is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP235-75R15SLOEM · verified

Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Thermostat

1L5Z8A586BA discontinued

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	180.3 in
Overall width	70.1 in
Overall height	67.7 in
Wheelbase	101.6 in
Curb weight	3849 lb
Track (front / rear)	58.7 / 58.7 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 2001 Sport Trac

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2001	Sport Trac 4.0L V6	8.50 sec	16.60 sec	210 hp	RWD
2000	Sport 2-door 4.0L V6	8.40 sec	16.50 sec	160 hp	4x4
1999	XLT 4.0L V6	8.40 sec	16.60 sec	210 hp	4x4
1997	XLT 4.0L V6	8.50 sec	16.50 sec	160 hp	4x4
1996	XLT V8 5.0L V8	8.80 sec	16.90 sec	210 hp	RWD
1996	XLT V8 5.0L V8	8.90 sec	16.80 sec	210 hp	4x4
1996	XLT V8 5.0L V8	9.50 sec	17.30 sec	210 hp	4x4
1995	XLT 4.0L V6	10.70 sec	17.90 sec	160 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 17.0-22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. 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 Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	11-12 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	19-24 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	79-85 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	16 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	67-74 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	61-68 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	17.0-22.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	76.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	66.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	85.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	85.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	4WD: 18.0, With AWD: 13.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	4WD: 18.0, With AWD: 13.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	184-250 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 850, AT: 710 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	MT: 50, AT: 40 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	725 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.052-0.056 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	Less auxiliary A/C, 1.88. With auxiliary A/C, 3.50. lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	68
Oil Capacity	Less auxiliary A/C, 9.00. With auxiliary A/C, 13.00. oz
Standard BCI Group Number	65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	650 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	65

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	183-190 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30-45
Injector Primary Resistance	11.4-12.6 na Flex Fuel ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	40-60 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	2000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs / 21-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	80 ft-lbs / 73-97 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.060; Rear: 0.030 in
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.005 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.433 in / 0.965 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	26 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	25-35 ft. lbs.	25–35 ft. lbs
2	45-55 ft. lbs.	45–55 ft. lbs
3	85-95

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

10 ft. lbs., Step 2: 52

10 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 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 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
At 45,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Wheel Bearing (repack)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Filter (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (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.

The 2001 Ford Explorer records 765 complaints, 14 recalls, 2 investigations, and 248 TSBs, placing it at the lowest complaint volume of the entire second-generation run (1995–2001), which had peaked at 2,248 complaints in 1998. While the 14 recalls and 2 investigations are roughly in line with the surrounding years, the trend is clearly downward from the mid-to-late 1990s, suggesting some maturation of the platform as production wound down. However, the top complaint categories—Power Train (83), Tires (75), Structure (64), and Vehicle Speed Control (63)—are broad and structural rather than isolated, and the 97 crash and 41 fire complaints are notable for a single model year. Critically, 2001 sits in the trough immediately before the 2002 redesign, which posts a dramatic 3,620-complaint spike (the highest in the entire federal record), so the 2001 escapes that surge and benefits from the accumulated engineering refinements of the outgoing generation. The takeaway: 2001 is arguably the best year of the second-generation Explorer to buy used, offering the cleanest complaint profile of the run—but a pre-purchase inspection of the drivetrain, tires, and speed-control systems is essential, and buyers should confirm all 14 recalls have been addressed.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

248

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

765

Owner complaints

97 involved a crash · 41 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00’01’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 765 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train83

Tires75

Structure64

Vehicle Speed Control63

Suspension60

Engine & Engine Cooling55

Air Bags42

Seats38

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 248 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
CSP-08B01	2008-05-16	Engine And Engine Cooling	FORD: CERTAIN 1999-2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN NEW YORK AND…
0427	2005-10-07	Steering	STEERING SHUDDER DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS - 4.0L ENGINE. *TT
042421	2005-06-07	Seat Belts	SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT
030508	2005-04-01	Power Train	FRONT AXLE LEAKS FLUID FROM VENT TUBE - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4X4 OR AWD. *TT
05310	2005-02-21	Seat Belts	SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH

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 Explorer. 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.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt Thermostat 1L5Z8A586BA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2001 Explorer take?

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

Does the 2001 Explorer have open recalls?

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