NissanAltima2001Overview/nissan/altima/2001/base/

2001 Nissan Altima

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Nissan Altima is a passenger car built on Nissan's front-wheel drive platform, powered by a four-speed automatic transmission, and maintenance intervals call for 3.6 quarts of 5W-30 API-rated oil; fuel economy for this model year is rated by the EPA at 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. In terms of reliability, the 2001 Altima recorded 174 total owner complaints with two recalls on file, with engine and engine cooling issues representing the most frequently reported problem area. Compared to the model's complaint history spanning 1993 to 2025—which peaked at 2,304 complaints in 2013 and has fallen to just 6 in 2025—the 2001 model falls in the lower-middle range of the Altima's reliability trajectory, suggesting it performs modestly but without the severe issues that plagued later model years.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/26/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Note the factory battery and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter165460Z000
Fuel filter1640072L15
Spark plug224011W616 alt 224011P116
Battery244109B900 discontinued
Front wiper blades288909E001 discontinued · alt 288909E000
Serpentine belt119209E0S5 alt 117209E001
Thermostat212000C82A
Cabin air filter27277VP03A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185.8 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight3075 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 26 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

8.2–9.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 1998 SE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1999GXE 2.4L I-49.80 sec17.40 sec150 hpFWD
1998SE 2.4L I-48.20 sec16.40 sec150 hpFWD
1998SE 2.4L I-48.80 sec16.90 sec150 hpFWD
1998SE 2.4L I-49.50 sec17.20 sec150 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.6 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts105-112 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts105-110 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts28-35 ft-lbs
Main Bearings34-41 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsBolts: 8-11 ft-lbs, Screws: 4-7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub203 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub163 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance1.0 approx. ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,000 approx. ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14-22 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32-1.54 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Oil Capacity6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature170 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)34.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13.5-17.5 ohms
Engine Compression178-149 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Intake Valve Lash0.00 in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs / 62 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle33 ft-lbs / 72-87 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0008 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.354 in / 0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17-9
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
110-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6510–12 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
259 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely.
418-25 ft. lbs.18–25 ft. lbs
586-91 degrees.86–91 degrees

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 at 105,000 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) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cruise Control System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (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 Nissan Altima sits at the end of a relatively stable period in the federal record, with 174 complaints, 2 recalls, 0 investigations, and 55 TSBs—figures nearly identical to 2000 (181 complaints, 2 recalls, 67 TSBs) and consistent with the low-hundreds range seen throughout 1993–2001. In 2002, the record jumps sharply to 1,063 complaints and 12 recalls, marking the start of a far more volatile era with repeated spikes continuing through 2013. Within the 2001 model year itself, the leading complaint categories are Engine & Engine Cooling (47), Electrical System (18), Suspension (15), and Air Bags (12), with 23 crash-related complaints and 2 fire complaints reported. Because 2001's counts remain close to the prior year's and well below the elevated levels that immediately follow, it represents one of the quieter model years in this generation's federal history. For a used-car buyer, the 2001 Altima appears to be a comparatively low-risk choice within this lineup, provided a pre-purchase inspection confirms the condition of the engine, electrical, and suspension systems.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
55
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
174
Owner complaints
23 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 174 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling47
Electrical System18
Suspension15
Air Bags12
Visibility12
Vehicle Speed Control6
Structure5
Power Train5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E074000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 14/09/2007

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. DS517-B001L AND DS517-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OPTICEL SURFACE OF THE REFLECTOR IS CORRODED INHIBITING THE… Remedy: EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.

01V065000Tires:Tread/BeltReported 23/02/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA-02 , SIZE P205/55R16 89H TIRES. THE RECALLED TIRES ARE IDENTIFIED BY DOT SERIAL #W2 T2 VF3 XXX OR W2 T2 VF3 XXXX; WHERE XXX MAY BE 289, 299… Remedy: BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE WILL REPLACE THE TIRES WHICH WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THESE ALTIMA VEHICLES. FIRESTONE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 55 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB17-019H2024-04-29Visibility/WiperWINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…
NTB13-028I2024-04-29Visibility/WiperREMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB09-081K2024-04-29Visibility/WiperWINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…
NTB08-097L2023-09-21SteeringDIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…

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 Altima. 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 Altima take?

3.6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Altima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Altima get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.