DodgeStratus20013.0L/dodge/stratus/2001/3-0l/
ST platform

2001 Dodge Stratus — 3.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Stratus 3.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.0LTransmission Automatic (S4)

The 2001 Dodge Stratus is a passenger car built on the ST platform and powered by a 3.0-liter engine with an automatic transmission, requiring 5.0 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API oil and carrying EPA fuel-economy estimates of 17 city, 25 highway, and 20 combined mpg. Within the 1992–2007 model run, the 2001 edition logged 192 owner complaints, a count that falls well below the 1996 peak of 639 yet remains far above the 1992 low of one, with engine and engine cooling representing the top complaint area alongside 14 recalls on record. That placement situates it in the middle of the Stratus reliability history, clear of the highest-volume complaint years but still carrying the engine and engine cooling concerns that rank as the model’s top complaint area.

Model year20052004200320022001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 COUPE · 525 COUPE CCA battery, OE oil filter 05142416AC. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 86 COUPE · 525 COUPE CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-65R15; Coupe: P205-55HR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05142416AC alt 05175567AB
Engine air filterMB906051 discontinued · alt 05011836AA
Fuel filterMR431089 discontinued · alt 04897416AB
Spark plug68304168AA alt 68304015AA
BatteryBB75F101AA
Front wiper bladesMR482673 discontinued · alt MR482671
Serpentine beltMD365263 discontinued · alt MD376691
ThermostatMD328070 discontinued · alt MD194988

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S4)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-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 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-32.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. 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-20 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts134 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0-32.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub110 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance9400-12,800 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.69 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-10
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number86 COUPE
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 COUPE cca
Optional BCI Group Number75 SEDAN

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)47.0-50.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)38.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket60 ft-lbs / 16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.9 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.911 in / 0.36 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.843 in / 0.285 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil.

180.0 ft. lbs.80 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts 360 degrees360 degrees
380.0 ft. lbs.80 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
1Bolts 1-8 to 48 N##m (35 ft. lbs.)35 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-8 to 75 N##m (55 ft. lbs.)55 ft. lbs
3Bolts 1-8 to 75 N##m (55 ft. lbs.)55 ft. lbs
4Bolts 1-8 to +90 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.90 degrees
5Bolts 9-11 to 28 N##m (250 in. lbs.)250 in
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inner main bearing cap bolts15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the 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 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)

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 model year continues a general decline in consumer complaints from the 1996 peak of 639 reports, yet its 192 complaints remain higher than the 91 recorded by 2003. Conversely, regulatory activity spiked significantly for this specific year, with 14 recalls and 77 Technical Service Bulletins exceeding the 2000 model's 9 recalls and 50 bulletins. Engine & Engine Cooling issues dominate the feedback with 51 complaints, followed by Suspension with 28, though the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. While investigations dropped to just 1 compared to 5 in 1999, the vehicle still logged 8 crash complaints and 2 fire complaints, positioning the 2001 Stratus as an outlier where complaint volume decreased but defects triggered the highest recall count in the dataset. Prospective buyers should proceed with caution and prioritize verifying that all 14 recall campaigns have been completed before purchase.

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
77
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
192
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 192 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling51
Suspension28
Power Train14
Air Bags11
Steering9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
Vehicle Speed Control7
Structure6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V401000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 03/06/2016

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a… Remedy: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners…

15V338000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/06/2015

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000… Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 77 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 Stratus. 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 Stratus 3.0L take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 API OR 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Stratus have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 3.0L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.