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2001 Ford Focus

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Ford Focus is a passenger car requiring 4.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil, paired with an automatic four-speed transmission and EPA ratings of 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Reliability records document 1,815 owner complaints and 14 recalls, with the electrical system generating the highest volume of grievances. Within the 1999–2018 model history, the 2001 year sits between the 1999 low of 11 complaints and the 2000 peak of 3,881, positioning it as a period of elevated defect rates that, while reduced from the prior year's maximum, remained well above the nameplate's baseline reliability standard.

Model year2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque94 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96R ex. Zetec · 500 ex. Zetec 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 96R ex. Zetec · 500 ex. Zetec CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP185-65R14OEM · verified

Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	168.1 in
Overall width	66.9 in
Overall height	56.3 in
Wheelbase	103.1 in
Curb weight	2557 lb
Track (front / rear)	57.9 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	22 / 30 / 25 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	95 cu ft
Cargo volume	17 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.70 sec — 2001 ZX3 3-door Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2001	ZX3 3-door Hatchback 2.0L I-4	8.70 sec	16.80 sec	130 hp	FWD
2000	SE Sedan 2.0L I-4	9.00 sec	16.80 sec	110 hp	FWD
2000	ZTS Sedan 2.0L I-4	9.30 sec	17.20 sec	130 hp	FWD
2000	ZTS 5-door Hatchback 2.0L I-4	9.40 sec	17.10 sec	110 hp	FWD
2000	ZTS Sedan 2.0L I-4	9.60 sec	17.10 sec	130 hp	FWD
2000	SE Wagon 2.0L I-4	10.40 sec	17.90 sec	110 hp	FWD
2002	ZX5 5-door Hatchback 2.0L I-4	9.00 sec	16.90 sec	130 hp	FWD
2002	SE Sedan 2.0L I-4	9.60 sec	17.30 sec	110 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 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 Fluid	DOT 3
Clutch Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	85 DOHC ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	20 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	12-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	10-12 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	94 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	214 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	173 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	AT: 760, DOHC MT: 725, SOHC MT: 750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	AT: 30, DOHC MT: 25, SOHC MT: 50 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	SOHC: 0.054, DOHC: 0.051 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.63 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.76 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	96R ex. Zetec
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	500 ex. Zetec cca
Optional BCI Group Number	40R Zetec

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	35.0-55.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	35-65
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 DOHC ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	85-105 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.87 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.87 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.79 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	Loosen bolts 1/2 turn.
3	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees
5	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

7.3 ft. lbs., step 2: turn 90

7.3 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 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	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · 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) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 mi	Timing Belt (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission 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 Focus sits in a difficult position within the first-generation arc: it represents a decline from the disastrous 2000 model year (3,881 complaints, 18 recalls, 13 investigations), but remains the second-worst year of the entire generation with 1,815 complaints, 14 recalls, and 9 investigations. The year-over-year trend from 2000 through 2007 shows a steady downward trajectory in all federal metrics, suggesting Ford was actively working through early-design problems, yet 2001 still carries roughly double the complaint volume of 2002 (1,018) and nearly triple the recalls of 2003 (7). The top complaint areas — Electrical System (377), Fuel System Gasoline (207), Engine & Engine Cooling (160), and Air Bags (122) — combined with 174 crash complaints and 50 fire complaints, indicate broad, systemic issues rather than isolated defects, though the data does not specify root causes. By 2004, complaints had dropped to 387 and recalls to 6, illustrating how much safer the platform became once the early-year problems were addressed. **Takeaway:** The 2001 Focus is not a recommended purchase year — it retains too much of the 2000 model's risk profile while offering none of the meaningful improvements seen by 2003 and later; a buyer in this generation should target 2004–2007, where federal metrics reflect a far more mature and stable vehicle.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

195

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,815

Owner complaints

174 involved a crash · 50 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’99 ’00’01’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,815 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System377

Fuel System, Gasoline207

Engine & Engine Cooling160

Air Bags122

Service Brakes, Hydraulic116

Suspension97

Power Train54

Steering45

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12E007000EquipmentReported 24/02/2012

RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED… Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30…

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 195 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
16-0067	2016-04-21	Latches/Locks/Linkages	For 2000-2005 Focus vehicles built on or before 1/26/2005 Safety Recall 05S27 has been…
TSB-14-0163	2014-09-09	Suspension	FORD: DUE TO HIGH CORROSION AREAS, WHERE VEHICLES ARE OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS…
TSB-14-0162	2014-09-09	Structure	FORD: REAR DOOR LATCHES ARE EXPERIENCING CORROSION IN PAWL PIVOT AREA THAT PREVENT PROPER…
TSB-14-0148	2014-08-11	Latches/Locks/Linkages	FORD: ON SOME VEHICLES, OPERATING FOR AN EXTENDED TIME IN HIGH CORROSION AREA, A SAFETY…
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…

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 Focus. 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 96R battery Vehicles taking 4.0 qt

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 Focus take?

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

Does the 2001 Focus have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the Focus get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.