DodgeRAM Van, Wagon20013.9L V6/dodge/ram-van-wagon/2001/3-9l-v6/
AB platform

2001 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon — 3.9L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 RAM Van, Wagon 3.9L V6.

Body VANEngine 3.9L V6Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 2001 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon is a VAN built on the AB platform and powered by a 3.9L V6 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, with routine oil service calling for 4.0 quarts of 10W-30 API. EPA ratings come in at 13/15/14 mpg city/highway/combined, giving researchers a concrete efficiency baseline for this powertrain. In reliability terms, this model year stands out for a heavy concentration of owner-reported problems: 2,268 total complaints, Structure ranked as the top complaint area, and 17 recalls on record. That combination of high complaint volume, structural concerns, and extensive recall activity makes the 2001 RAM Van a model year worth scrutinizing closely when assessing the broader reliability profile of the line.

Model year200320022001200019991997199619951994

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy13/15/14 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 Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size6400 GVWROEM · verified
Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter04798825AD discontinued
Spark plug68303921AA
BatteryBB27F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades55076910AA discontinued
Serpentine belt53010303AC alt 53010304AB
Thermostat52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length228.7 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height79.5 in
Wheelbase127.2 in
Curb weight4482 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 65.7 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined13 / 15 / 14 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 4.0 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity6.3 Pints, non_mvc
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity9.5 Pints,
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings45 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsSTEP 1-68 N##m
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Main Bearings85 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle90.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket110.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-15
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27
Optional BCI Cranking Performance750 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 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 Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle210 ft-lbs / 130 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle130 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle130 ft-lbs
Drum Runout Limit0.008 in / 0.007 in
Drum Nominal Diameter12.125 in / 11.03 in
Drum Maximum Machining12.185 in / 11.09 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

150.0 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
2105.0 ft. lbs.105 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 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 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 6,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Power Booster Unit (inspect) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 37,500 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (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.

Owner complaints about the 2001 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon dominate in one area — the structure, 727 of 2,268 reports (32%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the structure, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 161 of the reports describe a crash and 88 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the structure pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

17
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
123
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2,268
Owner complaints
161 involved a crash · 88 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2,268 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure727
Power Train154
Unknown Or Other141
Steering139
Suspension119
Air Bags105
Engine & Engine Cooling98
Service Brakes, Hydraulic83

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07V555000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column ShiftReported 04/12/2007

ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 123 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…
DOR-X6W2U-062020-03-23Electrical SystemThis SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold…

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 RAM Van, Wagon. 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 RAM Van, Wagon 3.9L V6 take?

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

Does the 2001 RAM Van, Wagon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 17 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.9L V6 get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 15 highway / 14 combined mpg.