FordRanger2001Overview/ford/ranger/2001/base/

2001 Ford Ranger

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

Body TRUCKTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2001 Ford Ranger is a compact pickup truck built on Ford's platform and powered by an engine requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission and achieving EPA-estimated fuel economy of 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined; it was produced during a period when the Ranger model had begun trending away from its peak complaint years, though this particular model year still recorded 540 owner complaints with the Structure category cited as the primary concern, alongside 9 safety recalls, placing it between the model's 1999 high of 818 complaints and the much cleaner record it would achieve by 2014.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/20/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 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 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-75R15SLOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.6 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3084 lb
Track (front / rear)58.7 / 57.5 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 20 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
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 Ranger of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2001 Edge Plus SuperCab
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001Edge Plus SuperCab 4.0L V68.10 sec16.50 sec207 hp4x4
2001Edge SuperCab 4.0L V68.10 sec16.30 sec207 hp4x4
1998Splash Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V68.90 sec16.80 sec160 hpRWD
1998XLT Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V69.80 sec17.30 sec160 hp4x4
1998XLT Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V610.00 sec17.60 sec160 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. 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
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.1 Pints, Rear
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6-9 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11-12 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings30-36 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings23-28 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts93-121 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts56-64 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55-65 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)76.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket85.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle85.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)75 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)75 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 815, AT: 900 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)MT: 15, AT: 20 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)900 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.88 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type68
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Standard BCI Group Number59

Service checks

Pressure Test13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-190 °F
Pressure Test13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-190 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35-55 (140)
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)40-65

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 10 inch DRUM / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket21-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle73-97 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.060; Rear: 0.030 in
Brake ApplicationWITH 10 inch DRUM / WITH STANDARD
Drum Nominal Diameter10 in / 9 in
Drum Maximum Machining10.06 in / 9.06 in
Drum Discard at-or-over10.09 / 9.09

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2Loosen bolts 1 turn.
322 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
490 degrees.90 degrees
590 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Use new bolts

144 in. lbs.44 in
211 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
333 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
151 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3turn 90-100
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
159 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
2mum of one full turn
333-41 ft. lbs.33–41 ft. lbs
463-73
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
124 ft. lbs.24 ft. lbs
2turn 80 degrees80 degrees
3turn 80
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
110 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5210 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
119-28 ft. lbs., step 2: 44-5919–28 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
150-60 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75-8550–60 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & 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.

Federal data for this Ranger generation shows complaints and technical service bulletins rising through the late 1990s, cresting at 818 complaints and 329 TSBs in 1999, then generally declining—though recalls stayed elevated later, with 11–12 per year from 2004 through 2006. The 2001 model lands on the downward side of that peak, posting 540 complaints, 9 recalls, 2 investigations, and 205 TSBs—down sharply from 2000’s 694 complaints and 1999’s 818, and above the lower-volume 2002 (347 complaints, 7 recalls, 128 TSBs). Within this arc, 2001 is a transition year: fewer owner complaints than the immediately preceding peak years, but still carrying notable activity. The top complaint categories for 2001 are Structure (64), Air Bags (49), Vehicle Speed Control (41), and Power Train (39), with 65 crash-related complaints and 9 fire complaints; the data does not specify root causes. Overall, a 2001 Ranger is a comparatively reasonable used buy within this generation, but its elevated structural and air-bag complaint counts and 9 recalls make a thorough inspection and recall-status check essential.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
205
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
540
Owner complaints
65 involved a crash · 9 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 540 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure64
Air Bags49
Vehicle Speed Control41
Power Train39
Suspension35
Seat Belts35
Service Brakes, Hydraulic34
Suspension,Structure30

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

09V399000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 13/10/2009

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY… Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 205 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
24B47 S12024-12-03Unknown Or OtherCertain 2018 - 2024 Model Year Various Vehicles Update SYNC Software
TSB 20-22332020-07-13StructureThis article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
CSP-08B012008-05-16Engine And Engine CoolingFORD: 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 Ranger. 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 Ranger take?

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

Does the 2001 Ranger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Ranger get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg.