DodgeDakota20015.9L/dodge/dakota/2001/5-9l/
AN platform

2001 Dodge Dakota — 5.9L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Dakota 5.9L.

Body TRUCKEngine 5.9LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Dodge Dakota is a truck built on the AN platform, powered by a 5.9L engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. This configuration utilizes 5.0 quarts of 10W-30 API engine oil and is rated for 11/15/13 mpg per the EPA. Positioned near the top of the model's 1990-2011 complaint history, this year saw 686 total owner complaints and 14 recalls—trailing only the 2000 peak of 842—with the suspension identified as the top complaint area.

Model year200320022001200019991998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 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 27 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-75R15XLOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter04798825AD discontinued
Spark plug68303918AA alt 68303921AA
BatteryBB27F101AA
Front wiper blades55077091AD
Serpentine belt05135746AA alt 53010304AB
Thermostat68174083AA alt 52028185AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length209.4 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase131.1 in
Curb weight3805 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61.4 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 15 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil, GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. 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
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5 Pints,
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings48 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsTighten all bolts in sequence
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)200 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug TypeRC12LC4
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-20
Oil Capacity7.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief19-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket18-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle95-125 ft-lbs
Drum Runout Limit0.008 in
Drum Nominal Diameter10 in / 11 in / 9 in
Drum Maximum Machining10.06 in / 11.06 in / 9.06 in
Drum Discard at-or-over10.09 / 11.09 / 9.09
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Tighten bolts 1-10, 20 N##m (15 ft. lbs.).15 ft. lbs
2Tighten bolts 1-10, 47 N##m (35 ft. lbs.). Tighten bolts 11-14, 25 N##m (18 ft. lbs.).35 ft. lbs
3Tighten bolts 1-10, 90 degrees. Tighten bolts 11-14, 30 N##m (22 ft. lbs.).90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lbs. at a time.), step 2: bolts 5-12: 6 ft. lbs., step 3: all to 6 ft. lbs., step 4: all to 12 ft. lbs., step 5: all to 126 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 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 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 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (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 Dodge Dakota represents a pivot point in this generation's reliability trajectory: complaints peaked in 2000 at 842 but dropped to 686 in 2001, and they continued declining through 2003. However, the 2001 model year recorded the highest recall count in the entire dataset at 14—exceeding even the peak complaint years—suggesting the manufacturer was aggressively addressing known defects. The top complaint categories were Suspension (206), Service Brakes/Hydraulic (93), and Power Train (65), with 44 crash-related complaints and 11 fire-related complaints. This combination of elevated recalls alongside declining consumer complaints indicates that while issues were being addressed through manufacturer action, significant problems persisted in suspension and braking systems. The takeaway: a 2001 Dakota is modestly preferable to the 2000 model due to the complaint decline and the manufacturer's apparent response through recalls, but the above-average recall frequency and persistent brake/suspension concerns warrant a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
72
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
686
Owner complaints
44 involved a crash · 11 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 686 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension206
Service Brakes, Hydraulic93
Power Train65
Electrical System31
Engine & Engine Cooling31
Air Bags29
Steering28
Tires26

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 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…

04V596000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball JointReported 21/12/2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 72 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 Dakota. 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 Dakota 5.9L take?

5.0 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Dakota have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 5.9L get?

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