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2001 Ford Mustang

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2001 Ford Mustang is a passenger car with an engine requiring 5.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil, yet ownership records indicate it carries eight recalls and 283 total complaints primarily focused on the engine and engine cooling system. Within the broader model history spanning 1990 to 2026, this year occupies a middle ground in reliability, registering far fewer issues than the peak 868 complaints seen in 2005 while remaining substantially higher than the lineage low of 4 in 2026. This positioning suggests a vehicle that avoids the worst volatility of the nameplate's history but does not match the minimal complaint rates recorded in 2026.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 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 torque85-105 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 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

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Spark plug

AGSF32PM4

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	183.1 in
Overall width	73.2 in
Overall height	53.5 in
Wheelbase	101.2 in
Curb weight	3210 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.2 / 60.6 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

5.7–6.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2001 Bullitt Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2001	Bullitt Coupe 4.6L V8	5.70 sec	14.10 sec	265 hp	RWD
2001	Bullitt Coupe 4.6L V8	5.80 sec	14.30 sec	265 hp	RWD
2001	GT Deluxe Convertible 4.6L V8	6.00 sec	14.70 sec	260 hp	RWD
2001	GT Premium Coupe 4.6L V8	6.00 sec	14.70 sec	260 hp	RWD
2000	GT Convertible 4.6L V8	6.20 sec	14.60 sec	260 hp	RWD
2002	Bullitt Coupe 4.6L V8	5.60 sec	14.07 sec	265 hp	RWD
2002	GT Premium Coupe 4.6L V8	6.30 sec	15.10 sec	260 hp	RWD
1999	GT Coupe 4.6L V8	5.40 sec	14.00 sec	260 hp	RWD

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 85-105 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-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	114-121 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	24 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-105 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	258 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	258 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	240 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: 740, AT: 715 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	MT: 40, AT: 15 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	SOHC: 680, DOHC: 690, ALL OTHERS: 655 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	SOHC: 20, DOHC: 60, ALL OTHERS: 25 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.052-0.056 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.17 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	8.60 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	59

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	189-196 °F
Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	35.0-55.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	45.0-60.0
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	85 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	95 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.125 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.063 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	14 ft. lbs.	14 ft. lbs
2	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
3	36 ft. lbs.; Perform following 3 steps on each bolt; before moving to next bolt in sequence	36 ft. lbs
1	loosen 2-3 turns
2	if long bolt	30–37 ft. lbs
3	turn 175-185 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence	175–185 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	loosen 1 turn
4	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees	90 degrees
6	90

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	Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
At 45,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (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 Mustang sits at a notable inflection point in its generation’s federal record. Complaints dropped sharply from the 474 reported in 2000 to 283 in 2001, continuing a downward trend through 2002, while recalls also fell from 11 to 8. This suggests Ford addressed early build issues that peaked in the 1999–2000 model years, though the data doesn’t specify root causes. The 2001 model’s top complaint areas—engine cooling, airbags, and seat belts—mirror broader generation concerns, but their frequency is lower than in preceding years. With 53 crash-related complaints and only 4 fire reports, the 2001 stands as a relatively stable year in the generation’s reliability arc. **Takeaway: the 2001 is a comparatively good year to buy, offering improved reliability over earlier models without the higher complaint volumes seen in later years.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

138

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

283

Owner complaints

53 involved a crash · 4 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 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 283 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling32

Air Bags30

Seat Belts25

Fuel System, Gasoline18

Vehicle Speed Control15

Power Train15

Service Brakes, Hydraulic15

Electrical System15

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 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…

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 138 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…
SP-08B01	2008-05-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	FORD SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CSC LETTER WAS…
07212	2007-10-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…
05N04	2005-12-14	Engine And Engine Cooling	EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM 05N04 - EXTENDED COVERAGE FOR COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS…
041601	2005-11-14	Engine And Engine Cooling	WDS 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 Mustang. 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 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt Spark plug AGSF32PM4

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 Mustang take?

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

Does the 2001 Mustang have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.