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2001 Hyundai Elantra

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Hyundai Elantra is a passenger car featuring a 4-speed automatic transmission and an EPA fuel economy rating of 21/30/25 mpg, with an engine requiring 4.2 quarts of 10W-30, 20W-40, or 20W-50 API oil. In the context of a model history spanning 1992 to 2026, this year recorded six recalls and 330 owner complaints, with the top complaint area being air bags. This reliability record places the 2001 model between the series' high of 1,325 complaints in 2013 and its low of 21 complaints in 2025.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy21/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 550 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 124R · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified

Tire sizeP195-60R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim5.5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	177.2 in
Overall width	67.7 in
Overall height	56.3 in
Wheelbase	102.8 in
Curb weight	2683 lb
Track (front / rear)	58.7 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	21 / 30 / 25 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	95 cu ft
Cargo volume	13 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 Elantra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.40 sec — 2001 GLS Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2001	GLS Sedan 2.0L I-4	8.40 sec	16.50 sec	140 hp	FWD
2002	GT 5-door Hatchback 2.0L I-4	8.00 sec	16.30 sec	135 hp	FWD
2002	GLS Sedan 2.0L I-4	8.50 sec	16.70 sec	138 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-33.0 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
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	ABOVE 32 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	10-11 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	37-39 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	90-96 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0-33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	159-192 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	170 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.45-.55 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	10,300-13,900 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	NGK
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0-21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.43-1.54 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	HS-15 compressor, 4.3-5.6; 10PA15C Compressor, 4.2-4.73. oz
Standard BCI Group Number	124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	203-218. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	24.2 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	Idle rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	51-63 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	65-80 ft-lbs / 16-24 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in / 0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.945 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.945 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.882 in / 0.315 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

125-133 ft. lbs., step 2: 170-180

125–133 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil · M10 Bolts:

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	60 degrees	60 degrees
3	60 degrees; M12 Bolts:	60 degrees
1	25.0 ft. lbs.	25 ft. lbs
2	60 degrees	60 degrees
3	60 degrees	60 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil · M10 Bolts:

1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	60 degrees; M12 Bolts:	60 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	60 degrees	60 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

20-24 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-65

20–24 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 7,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 37,500 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 52,500 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV Hose (inspect) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Timing Belt (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 Hyundai Elantra marks a dramatic escalation in complaints compared to its predecessors—330 complaints versus 212 in 2000 (a 55% increase), alongside a tripling of recalls (6 vs. 2) and the emergence of 3 federal investigations. This peak in problems continues into 2002 (349 complaints) before declining in 2003 (234 complaints), indicating that these early 2000 model years represent a trouble period within the Elantra's generational history. The 2001 model year also shows the highest TSB count in this early period (109), suggesting dealers were addressing a high volume of technical service issues. The top complaint areas reveal Air Bags (83) as the dominant issue, followed by Suspension (57), with 72 crash-related complaints and 5 fire-related complaints recorded. The data does not specify a single root cause for this spike. Given the elevated complaint volume, multiple recalls, and ongoing investigations, the 2001 Elantra appears to be among the more problematic years in this generation—buyers should budget for potential air bag and suspension-related repairs and verify that all recall work has been completed.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

109

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

330

Owner complaints

72 involved a crash · 5 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00’01’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 330 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags83

Suspension57

Engine & Engine Cooling12

Structure11

Service Brakes, Hydraulic11

Steering10

Electrical System9

Visibility9

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08V533000Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-InactiveReported 14/10/2008

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001-2002 ELANTRA VEHICLES. MOVEMENT OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS MOUNTED UNDER EACH FRONT SEAT, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY CONTACT FROM MATERIALS PLACED UNDER THE SEAT, MAY RESULT… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CLIPS AND REVISED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S…

08V532000Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-InactiveReported 14/10/2008

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001 ELANTRA VEHICLES. IF A LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE AREA OF THE CUPHOLDER ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, IT MAY SEEP THROUGH THE CONSOLE OPENING FOR THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER AND THEN DRIP ONTO… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR. THE RECALL OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2008, AND LETTERS WILL BE SENT OUT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 109 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
25-BD-012H TSB	2025-11-05	Exterior Lighting	This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
24-BD-001H	2024-02-14	Visibility	This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade…
23-EM-005H	2023-10-13	Engine And Engine Cooling	This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and…
23-BD-007H	2023-04-24	Structure	Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to…
23-BD-002H	2023-01-30	Visibility	This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…

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 Elantra. 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 124R battery Vehicles taking 4.2 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 Elantra take?

4.2 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API SM, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30, 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API SM, BELOW 100 degrees F: 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Elantra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Elantra get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.