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2001 Hyundai Sonata

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2001 Hyundai Sonata is a passenger car built on Hyundai's midsize platform, powered by a four-cylinder engine that requires 4.2 quarts of oil with a viscosity rating of 20W-40, 20W-50, or 10W-30 according to API standards; this maintenance specification reflects the engine's design parameters for that model year. In terms of reliability, the 2001 Sonata recorded 223 total owner complaints across its history, with structural issues representing the most frequent concern, and the vehicle was subject to three safety recalls during its production run. Compared to the model's complaint trajectory from 1990 through 2026, where complaints peaked at 3,368 in 2011 and subsequently declined to just 2 by 2026, the 2001 model year falls within the era of relatively moderate and improving reliability before the brand's later reputation gains. This positioning suggests the 2001 Sonata represents a transitional point in the model's development, sitting between earlier build years with fewer reported issues and the later generations that would see both higher complaint volumes and, eventually, substantially improved dependability metrics.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182001

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

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
Tire sizeP195-70R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185.4 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3106 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

8.5–10.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 2002 GLS V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2000GLS V6 2.5L V610.30 sec17.50 sec170 hpFWD
2002GLS V6 2.7L V68.50 sec16.40 sec170 hpFWD
2002GLS V6 2.7L V68.80 sec16.70 sec170 hpFWD
2003GLS V6 2.7L V68.60 sec16.70 sec170 hpFWD

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 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 CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilABOVE 32 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Engine OilABOVE 14 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine OilABOVE 32 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity4.7 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs14-15 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10-11 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts80-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts94-101 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-55 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsM8 nut: 18-22 ft-lbs, M10 nut: 25-40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18-22 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148-206 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.77-.95 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,300-13,900 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.44-1.55 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Pressure Test21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Pressure Test21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)38.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47.0-50.0 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle16-24 ft-lbs / 65-80 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket51-63 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.394 in / 0.964 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
112-14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9512–14 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1130-138 ft. lbs., step 2: 180-190130–138 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep If using old bolts

115 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; If using new bolts90 degrees
146 ft. lbs.46 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts completely
315 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
118 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
260 degrees60 degrees
345 degrees45 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 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 6,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
At 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake 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 52,500 miFuel Filter (replace) · PCV Hose (inspect) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace)
Every 75,000 miDrive 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 Sonata sits in the middle of a clear escalation period. Complaints rose sharply from 135 in 1999 to 282 in 2000, then modestly declined to 223 in 2001, while recalls held steady at 3–4 per year and NHTSA investigations remained at 2 per year. However, this relative improvement was short-lived: 2002 brought a new peak of 325 complaints, 7 recalls, and 4 investigations—the worst year of the early-2000s span. The 2001 model's top complaint areas were structural issues (47), air bag malfunctions (38), power train concerns (15), and engine cooling problems (12), with 28 crash-related complaints and just 1 fire complaint. This pattern suggests 2001 was a transitional year that benefited marginally from corrections addressed in the 2000 model year, but the platform remained prone to significant issues that intensified in 2002. Given the elevated complaint levels and the trend toward worsening reliability through 2002, the 2001 Sonata represents a moderate risk within this generation—preferable to the 2000 and 2002 peak years, but still carrying notable structural and safety concerns that warrant thorough pre-purchase inspection.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
93
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
223
Owner complaints
28 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 223 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure47
Air Bags38
Power Train15
Engine & Engine Cooling12
Suspension,Structure10
Suspension10
Service Brakes, Hydraulic8
Vehicle Speed Control7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09V124000SuspensionReported 16/04/2009

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND… Remedy: DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW…

01V347000Air BagsReported 06/11/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COULD ILLUMINATE DUE TO MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS… Remedy: DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL OCCUR IN SIX…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 93 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25-BD-012H TSB2025-11-05Exterior LightingThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
24-BD-001H2024-02-14VisibilityThis bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade…
23-EM-005H2023-10-13Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and…
23-BD-007H2023-04-24StructureHyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to…
23-BD-002H2023-01-30VisibilityThis 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 Sonata. 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 batteryVehicles taking 4.2 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2001 Sonata 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 Sonata have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.