ToyotaRAV42001Overview/toyota/rav4/2001/base/

2001 Toyota RAV4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 RAV4.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Toyota RAV4 is a compact SUV paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring 4.6 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, delivering EPA fuel economy of 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Across the model's complaint history spanning 1994 through 2025, this model year sits closer to the quieter end of the spectrum, with its 323 total owner complaints and zero recalls a far cry from the 1,002 complaints logged against the 2007 model — though its top complaint area, the power train, is a detail worth noting for anyone evaluating long-term ownership.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/26/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 420 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZF1. 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 35 · 420 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size215-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZF1
Engine air filter1780128010
Fuel filter2330028040 alt 2321774021
Spark plug9008091180
Front wiper blades8521253051 alt 852220R040
Serpentine belt9091602503 alt 9091602596
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter885685201083

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length161.4 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase98 in
Curb weight2877 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 26 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-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 RAV4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.6–10.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.60 sec — 2001 SUV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001SUV 2.0L I-48.60 sec16.40 sec148 hpAWD
2001SUV 2.0L I-410.20 sec17.70 sec148 hpAWD
2001SUV 2.0L I-410.40 sec17.60 sec148 hpFWD
2001SUV 2.0L I-410.50 sec18.00 sec148 hpAWD
2002SUV 2.0L I-48.90 sec16.90 sec148 hpAWD
2004SUV 2.4L I-49.30 sec17.20 sec161 hpAWD
2005SUV 2.4L I-47.80 sec16.10 sec161 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.9 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.6 qt
Transfer Case FluidGL-5 · 80W-90
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1.9 Pints

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts125 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Timing8-12 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.30 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance420 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance12-16 na ohms
Engine Compression142-178 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle78 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.0039 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.354 in / 0.984 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
136.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
290

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 at 120,000 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 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (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 Toyota RAV4 marks a dramatic inflection point in the model's federal record, with complaints surging from just 41 in 2000 to 323, a spike that escalates further to 555 in 2002. Unlike the preceding years, which saw declining complaints and up to six recalls annually, the 2001 model generated zero recalls despite its high complaint volume, a trend that continued into 2002. The data identifies the power train as the primary vulnerability for 2001, accounting for 132 standalone complaints and 34 combined with the electrical system, though the specific root causes are not specified. Sitting at the onset of this high-complaint arc, the 2001 model implies the introduction of a systemic issue that the manufacturer did not address via federal recall. Given the disproportionate volume of power train grievances and the lack of a recall to guarantee manufacturer repairs, the 2001 RAV4 is a risky purchase and not a recommended year for used buyers seeking long-term reliability.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
135
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
323
Owner complaints
20 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 323 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train132
Power Train,Electrical System34
Engine & Engine Cooling20
Electrical System15
Service Brakes, Hydraulic13
Air Bags11
Unknown Or Other10
Vehicle Speed Control10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 135 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…
T-SB-0062-23 Rev22024-12-03StructureVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…

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 RAV4. 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 RAV4 take?

4.6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 RAV4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RAV4 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg.