HondaCivic2001Overview/honda/civic/2001/base/

2001 Honda Civic

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Honda Civic is a passenger car built on Honda's eighth-generation platform, powered by a four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and rated by the EPA at 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined; it requires 3.2 quarts of 5W-20 API oil for maintenance. This model year accumulated 1,128 owner complaints across its lifespan, with the power train emerging as the most frequently cited problem area, and it was subject to 27 manufacturer recalls. Compared to the model's complaint history spanning 1990 to 2022, where complaints ranged from a low of 102 in 1990 to a high of 1,402 in 2006, the 2001 Civic falls in the middle of that spectrum—neither the most trouble-free nor the most problematic iteration.

Model year202620242023202220212020201820172001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/34/29 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51 · 410 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 51 · 410 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP185-70R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.8 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight2414 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 34 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
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 Civic of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.4–9.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.40 sec — 2001 EX Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001EX Coupe 1.7L I-48.40 sec16.70 sec127 hpFWD
2001EX Sedan 1.7L I-49.00 sec16.50 sec127 hpFWD
2002Si 3-door Hatchback 2.0L I-47.60 sec15.80 sec160 hpFWD
2002Si 3-door Hatchback 2.0L I-47.60 sec15.90 sec160 hpFWD
2002Si 3-door Hatchback 2.0L I-47.60 sec15.90 sec160 hpFWD
2002Si 3-door Hatchback 2.0L I-48.00 sec16.20 sec160 hpFWD
2002LX Sedan 1.7L I-49.30 sec17.20 sec115 hpFWD
2003Si 3-door Hatchback 2.0L I-47.70 sec15.70 sec160 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.2 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.2 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.7 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 14 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings24 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts14 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 87 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug33.0-36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing8, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.21 lbs
Oil TypePAG 46
Oil Capacity4.33-4.60 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)40.0-47.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)30.0-38.0 psi
Engine Compression135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ Idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.060 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.827 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.827 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
114 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
236 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
349
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
114.0 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
236.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
349.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 3818 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 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 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 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 20,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 36,000 miFuel Tank (inspect)
Every 40,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 110,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Timing Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) · Water Pump (inspect)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

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 Honda Civic sits at a pronounced outlier point in the federal record: its 1,128 complaints, 27 recalls, 4 investigations, and 427 TSBs are sharply higher than 2000 (300 complaints, 18 recalls, 136 TSBs) and remain above 2002 (717 complaints, 24 recalls, 317 TSBs) and the subsequent decline through 2003–2005. This places 2001 at the peak of a localized spike rather than part of a smooth generational trend, which had seen complaints fall from 464 in 1998 to 300 in 2000 before this sudden jump. The top complaint areas—Power Train (375), Air Bags (253), Exterior Lighting (52), and Engine & Engine Cooling (43)—account for the bulk of reports, though the data does not specify root causes; crash complaints totaled 150 and fire complaints 15. Because 2001 carries roughly four times the complaints and twice the recalls of 2000, and substantially more activity than the years immediately following, it is a riskier candidate than adjacent model years. For a buyer weighing a 2001 Civic against a 2000 or 2002, the federal record suggests choosing an adjacent year or paying for a thorough pre-purchase inspection if the 2001 is the only option.

27
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
427
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,128
Owner complaints
150 involved a crash · 15 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,128 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train375
Air Bags253
Exterior Lighting52
Engine & Engine Cooling43
Suspension38
Electrical System33
Fuel System, Gasoline31
Service Brakes, Hydraulic25

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 27 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V182000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/03/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may…

19V499000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/06/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 427 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A20-0092020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A20-0142020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A18-0492018-05-25Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A18-0462018-05-24Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
ACC121920179012017-12-19Forward Collision AvoidanceDealer message - On December 19, 2017 following a joint inspection, American Honda 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 Civic. 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 Civic take?

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

Does the 2001 Civic have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 27 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Civic get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined mpg.