JeepCherokee20012.5L/jeep/cherokee/2001/2-5l/
XJ platform

2001 Jeep Cherokee — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Cherokee 2.5L.

Body SUVEngine 2.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Jeep Cherokee is an XJ platform SUV powered by a 2.5L engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA rating of 14/20/16 mpg. This configuration requires 6 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API engine oil with filter. Across the model's 1990-2026 history, this year recorded 1133 owner complaints and 12 recalls—primarily regarding visibility—positioning it between the 2014 high of 2636 complaints and the 2023 low of 3.

Model year2001199419931992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/20/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 500 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter and spark plug are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. 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 34 · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter04798301 discontinued
Spark plug68304022AA discontinued
BatteryBB34F101AA
Front wiper blades55155650AB alt 55155652AB
Serpentine belt53010314 alt 53010234AB
Thermostat52028186AC alt 53020547AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length167.7 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase101.6 in
Curb weight3296 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 20 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

No 2001 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

12.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 12.00 sec — 1998 SE
125 hpHorsepower (as tested)
145 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998SE 2.5L I-412.00 sec18.60 sec125 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.4 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidMS-5931

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings33-35 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsPump bolts: 14 ft-lbs, Cover bolts: 9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub175 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.71-.88 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,300-13,300 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Oil Capacity6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47-51 psi
Engine Compression120-150 PSI. 30 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure13 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 10 inch REAR DRUMS
Torque to Knuckle7-15 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.030
Brake ApplicationWITH 10 inch REAR DRUMS
Drum Runout Limit0.008 in
Drum Nominal Diameter10 in / 9 in
Drum Maximum Machining10.06 in / 9.06 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Coat threads of left hand front bolt with sealant

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
245 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
3all bolts except L.H. front bolt110 ft. lbs
4100
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 7 stages
1caps 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 740 ft. lbs
2caps 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 770 ft. lbs
3caps 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 780 ft. lbs
4Push the crankshaft forward and backward. Load the crankshaft front or rear and tighten cap bolt No.3 to 40 ft. lbs.40 ft. lbs
5Tighten to 70 ft. lbs.70 ft. lbs
6Tighten to 80 ft. lbs.80 ft. lbs
7Rotate the crankshaft after tightening each main bearing cap to ensure the crankshaft rotates freely.

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; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 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 7,500 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBands (adjust) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 51,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

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 Jeep Cherokee shows a marked improvement over its late-1990s predecessors: complaints dropped from 2,113 in 1999 to 1,133 in 2001, and TSBs fell from 193 to 88 over the same period. Recalls remained relatively stable at 12 (compared to 14 in 2000), while NHTSA investigations declined from 5 to 4. However, 2001 still logged 105 crash-related complaints and 36 fire-related complaints, with the top issues being visibility (213), service brakes hydraulic (196), and seats (131). This places 2001 near the tail end of a generation that saw peak complaints in 1999, suggesting incremental refinement rather than a wholesale fix. Compared to the subsequent 2014 model (2,636 complaints), the 2001 data indicates a notably lower complaint volume, though the gap in the record makes direct generational comparison difficult. The concrete takeaway: 2001 appears to be a comparatively solid year within this generation, offering the benefit of the manufacturer's response to the late-1990s spike in issues, but buyers should still prioritize pre-purchase inspection given the brake and visibility concerns documented in the record.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
88
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,133
Owner complaints
105 involved a crash · 36 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,133 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility213
Service Brakes, Hydraulic196
Seats131
Power Train97
Engine & Engine Cooling65
Air Bags39
Steering33
Vehicle Speed Control25

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 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…

06E065000Exterior LightingReported 17/07/2006

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 88 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
91006452025-08-15Unknown Or OtherVerify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…

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 Cherokee. 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 Cherokee 2.5L take?

6 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Cherokee have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.