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150 platform

2001 Ford F-150

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 F-150.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Ford F-150, built on the 150 platform, uses a 6.0-quart oil capacity with SAE 5W-20 viscosity and is equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Its EPA fuel economy ratings are 11 mpg city, 15 mpg highway, and 13 mpg combined. In terms of reliability, the model year logged 32 total owner complaints—primarily in the Power Train area—and one recall, placing it among the lower-complaint years in the 1990–2009 model history, where the peak year (1997) saw 2,991 complaints.

Model year201120102009200820072006200520042001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque150 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy11/15/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. 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 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275-60R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length220.9 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height72.8 in
Wheelbase139 in
Curb weight4052 lb

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 15 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelNatural Gas

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent road tests for the F-150 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.0–10.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.96 sec — 2003 Harley-Davidson SuperCrew (5.4 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2000XLT SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.90 sec16.70 sec260 hp4x4
2002Lariat SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V89.30 sec16.70 sec260 hp4x4
2003Harley-Davidson SuperCrew (5.4 ft. Bed) 5.4L Supercharger V85.96 sec14.39 sec340 hpRWD
2003Lariat SuperCab Styleside (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.20 sec16.30 sec260 hpRWD
1998XLT SuperCab 5.4L V88.70 sec16.70 sec235 hpRWD
1998XLT SuperCab 5.4L V89.40 sec17.20 sec235 hp4x4
2004FX4 SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.90 sec16.30 sec300 hp4x4
2004Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V89.30 sec17.00 sec300 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150 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 FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints Rear, 8.8 and 9.7
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints Rear, 8.8 and 9.7
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6-9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts114-121 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts118 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55-64 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54-64 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket157.0-212-0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts150 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)755 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)75 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)760 DOHC rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.06 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type68
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65 - CANADA OR OPTIONAL

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-45
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-45
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)80-120 CNG
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure40-125 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2500 rpm

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 21-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs / 136 ft-lbs
OtherHeavy Duty / Light Duty
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 ft. lbs., Step 4: 12018 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 12033 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 12033 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9018 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: Loosen one turn., step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9066 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1all bolts15 ft. lbs
2all bolts30 ft. lbs
3all bolts37 ft. lbs
1loosen 2-3 turn
2if long bolt33 ft. lbs
3180 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence180 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 183.7 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13 ft. lbs., step 2: 183 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 12037 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission 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 F-150 arrives in the federal record after the sharp 1997 inflection point of 2,991 complaints and 26 recalls, within a broader arc that trends downward through 2003. Against its immediate neighbors, 2001 logged 1,347 complaints and 20 recalls, rising from 2000’s 1,213 complaints and 18 recalls and exceeding 2002’s 957 complaints and 11 recalls, which marks it as a mid-cycle uptick rather than a continuation of steady improvement. Investigations remained flat at seven, matching 1999 and 2000, while technical service bulletins fell to 213 from 271 the year before. Power Train and Engine & Engine Cooling rank as the top complaint areas for 2001 with six entries each, though the data does not specify root causes. Because complaints and recalls are elevated relative to the years directly before and after, yet remain far below the 1997 peak, 2001 represents a middling prospect—acceptable if priced accordingly, though a 2002 or 2003 example shows a cleaner federal trajectory.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
39
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
7
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
32
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 32 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train6
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Tires5
Seat Belts3
Seats3
Engine1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline1
Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

01V106000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And CapReported 27/03/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: F-SUPER DUTY CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS (F-350 SHORT WHEELBASE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 6 3/4' PICKUP BOX AND DUAL REAR WHEELS) WERE BUILT AFTER A CHANGE WAS IMPLEMENTED TO DELETE A CLAMP, AND LATER A… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER PIPE GROUND. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 39 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ASI-444082014-02-01Equipment Adaptive/MobilityFORD: THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) WHEN USING VCM II, WOULD HAVE AN ERROR CODE 35…
CSP-08B052008-10-13Engine And Engine CoolingFORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY: PROGRAM OF AFFECTED VEHICLES REGISTERED IN CA (8500 GVWR), MA (6000…
072122007-10-01Engine And Engine CoolingSOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…
190152006-01-01Fuel System, OtherFUEL CONDITIONER. LOW POWER, POOR FUEL ECONOMY, FUEL GELLING IN COLD WEATHER, EXCESSIVE…
0416012005-11-14Engine And Engine CoolingWDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR…

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 F-150. 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 59 batteryVehicles taking 6.0 qt150-platform vehicles

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2001 F-150 take?

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

Does the 2001 F-150 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the F-150 get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 15 highway / 13 combined mpg.