2001 Ford Explorer Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
21.0gal · 79 L
The 2001 Ford Explorer has a fuel tank capacity of 21.0 gallons (79 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 378–420 highway miles or 273–315 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
21.0 gal · Bigger than 68% of 2001 models we list.
Listed separately: 2001 Ford Explorer Sport (17.5 gal), 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (20.5 gal).
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Compared
- Fuel recalls
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
2001 Ford Explorer fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Drive
- no difference
- Engine
- no difference
All 11 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eddie Bauer 2WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · RWD MPG 15 / 20Range 315 / 420 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | RWD | 21.0 gal79 L | 15 / 20 | 315 / 420 mi | |
| Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 18Range 273 / 378 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | 4WD | 21.0 gal79 L | 13 / 18 | 273 / 378 mi | |
| Eddie Bauer AWD 4dr SUV 5.0L 8cyl 4A · AWD MPG 13 / 18Range 273 / 378 mi | 5.0L 8cyl 4A | AWD | 21.0 gal79 L | 13 / 18 | 273 / 378 mi | |
| Limited 2WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · RWD MPG 15 / 20Range 315 / 420 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | RWD | 21.0 gal79 L | 15 / 20 | 315 / 420 mi | |
| Limited 4WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 18Range 273 / 378 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | 4WD | 21.0 gal79 L | 13 / 18 | 273 / 378 mi | |
| Limited AWD 4dr SUV 5.0L 8cyl 4A · AWD MPG 13 / 18Range 273 / 378 mi | 5.0L 8cyl 4A | AWD | 21.0 gal79 L | 13 / 18 | 273 / 378 mi | |
| XLS 2WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · RWD MPG 15 / 20Range 315 / 420 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | RWD | 21.0 gal79 L | 15 / 20 | 315 / 420 mi | |
| XLS 4WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 18Range 273 / 378 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | 4WD | 21.0 gal79 L | 13 / 18 | 273 / 378 mi | |
| XLT 2WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · RWD MPG 15 / 20Range 315 / 420 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | RWD | 21.0 gal79 L | 15 / 20 | 315 / 420 mi | |
| XLT 4WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 18Range 273 / 378 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | 4WD | 21.0 gal79 L | 13 / 18 | 273 / 378 mi | |
| XLT AWD 4dr SUV 5.0L 8cyl 4A · AWD MPG 13 / 18Range 273 / 378 mi | 5.0L 8cyl 4A | AWD | 21.0 gal79 L | 13 / 18 | 273 / 378 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.
How far a 2001 Ford Explorer goes on a tank
Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 15 MPG, a full 21.0-gallon tank covers about 315 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 21.0 | 378 | 273 |
| 3/4 | 15.8 | 284 | 205 |
| 1/2 | 10.5 | 189 | 137 |
| 1/4 | 5.3 | 95 | 68 |
| 1/8 | 2.6 | 47 | 34 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 1,000 gallons, roughly 48 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 16.9 MPG in the Explorer (18 drivers), about 355 miles on a full 21.0-gallon tank.
Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.
- EPA combined
- 15–17 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 523–592 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 2001 Ford Explorer
$89.67 to fill the 21.0-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21.0 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $89.67 | $67.25 |
By region, 21.0-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $84.42 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $89.67 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $77.70 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $93.66 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $113.82 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $123.69 |
Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.
Your own price
- 21.0-gallon tank$89.67
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$4,270
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Explorer tank size in other years
The tank changed for 2001: 21.0 gal, up from 17.5–21.0 gal on the 2000 Explorer.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 428 mi |
| 2005 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 428 mi |
| 2004 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 450 mi |
| 2003 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 428 mi |
| 2002 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 450 mi |
| 2001 Explorer | 21.0 gal | 420 mi |
| 2000 Explorer | 17.5–21.0 gal | 441 mi |
| 1999 Explorer | 17.5–21.0 gal | 441 mi |
| 1998 Explorer | 17.5–21.0 gal | 420 mi |
| 1997 Explorer | 17.5–21.0 gal | 462 mi |
| 1996 Explorer | 17.5–21.0 gal | 441 mi |
- 2027
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2001 Ford Explorer vs similar 2001 SUVs
At 21.0 gallons, the Explorer's largest tank ranks second of the seven 2001 SUVs compared here. The Nissan Pathfinder carries the most (21.1 gal) and the Oldsmobile Bravada the least (18.0 gal).
| 2001 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Pathfinder | 21.1 gal | 380 mi |
| Ford Explorer | 21.0 gal | 420 mi |
| Mercury Mountaineer | 21.0 gal | 420 mi |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 20.5 gal | 410 mi |
| Honda Passport | 19.5 gal | 390 mi |
| GMC Jimmy | 18.0–19.0 gal | 380 mi |
| Oldsmobile Bravada | 18.0 gal | 324 mi |
Other 2001 SUVs of a similar size, one model per brand.
2001 Ford Explorer fuel system recalls
None of the 6 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2001 Ford Explorer involve the fuel system.
2001 Ford Explorer fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 2001 Ford Explorer, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2001 Ford Explorer?
The 2001 Ford Explorer holds 21.0 gallons (79 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 2001 Ford Explorer gas tank hold?
The 2001 Ford Explorer tank holds 79 liters, or 21.0 gallons in US gallons.
Does 4WD change the 2001 Ford Explorer gas tank?
No. RWD and 4WD and AWD versions of the 2001 Ford Explorer use the same 21.0 gal tank.
How far can a 2001 Ford Explorer go on a full tank?
About 378–420 miles on the highway and 273–315 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.
How many miles can a 2001 Ford Explorer go on a quarter tank?
About 95 highway miles or 68 in town from the 21.0-gallon tank, which has roughly 5.3 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 2001 Ford Explorer really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 16.9 MPG in the 2001 Ford Explorer (18 drivers), which works out to about 355 miles on a full 21.0-gallon tank.
What gas does the 2001 Ford Explorer take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2001 Ford Explorer?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 21.0-gallon tank from empty costs $89.67. It ranges from $77.70 in the Gulf Coast to $123.69 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2001 Ford Explorer?
About 130 pounds for the 21.0-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2001 Ford Explorer have a bigger gas tank than the Mercury Mountaineer?
No, they match: both top out at 21.0 gallons in 2001.
Has the 2001 Ford Explorer had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 6 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2001 Ford Explorer involve the fuel system.
Sources
- Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
- MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
- Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
- Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Ford fuel system recalls).
- Real-world MPG: driver-reported fill-ups shared at fueleconomy.gov (My MPG).
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.