5.7 Hemi Engine Common Problems

Chrysler's 5.7 Hemi V8 engine has long been one of the most popular gasoline engines and for good reason. The 5.7 Hemi has proven itself to be strong and reliable since its release back in 2003. But just like any piece of machinery, the 5.7 Hemi has its issues and pitfalls. However, the 5.7 Hemi has relatively few reported problems compared to other engines out there. Those problems and complaints are:

  • Hemi "tick"
  • Exhaust manifold bolts snapping
  • Multi-Displacement System (MDS)

If you still have some questions or concerns about the reliability and longevity of the 5.7 Hemi, don't worry. In this post, we'll talk in-depth about what you can expect with this engine. Without further ado, let's talk about the Hemi.

Chrysler Hemi Truck with trademark logo, 5.7 Hemi Engine Common Problems

What Exactly Is A Hemi?

Before we get into the nuts and bolts, we'll talk briefly about what makes the 5.7 Hemi so unique.

The term "Hemi" is short for "hemispherical." In a Hemi engine, the top of the combustion chamber is hemispherical, or rounded. The combustion chambers found in many other engines have flat tops. So why does this matter?

Without getting too technical, due to the geometry of its design, a hemispherical engine is more efficient than a flathead engine. It loses less energy by maximizing the pressure in the combustion chamber and burning the fuel completely. Simply put, every part of the combustion process is more efficient.

Chrysler has made engines with a hemispherical design for a long time now, but the 5.7 Hemi is the most modern and advanced adaptation of this classic concept.

5.7 Hemi Engine Problems And Complaints

Black Dodge Ram with an engine of 5.7 liters front fender view

Now we'll talk about this engine's most common issues and complaints. If you scour the internet, you'll likely find reports of consumers talking about various different issues with their Hemi. It's important to point out that this guide does not aim to mention every single reported issue but rather to discuss some of the most common ones.

Hemi "Tick"

5.7 Hemi engines are prone to something that has been dubbed the "Hemi tick."

Some people believe that this tick is not problematic. The people in this camp claim that it is simply a characteristic of the engine's pushrod design. After all, a pushrod engine has more moving components, so a little bit of extra noise isn't exactly abnormal. This view holds that, as long as the engine isn't driven extremely hard all the time, the ticking shouldn't cause any issues per se.

But others claim that the tick is, in fact, a problem that can be traced back to several things, including faulty lifters, valves, or bad fuel.

But in the end, it's difficult (if not impossible) to find a definitive explanation for what causes the Hemi tick. There simply seems to be no consensus regarding this ticking sound.

Some people also attribute the Hemi tick to snapped exhaust manifold bolts, which brings us to the 5.7 Hemi's next common issue.

Exhaust Manifold Bolts

A mechanic removes the exhaust manifold from an automobile internal combustion engine in an auto repair shop

Another issue that will plague virtually every 5.7 Hemi owner eventually is the snapping of the exhaust manifold bolts, namely on the parts of the manifold that connect to the back two cylinders. One proposed explanation for this common problem is that the back two cylinders burn hotter than the others since they're toward the back of the engine bay and are thus harder to cool.

Some people think that these bolts breaking can result in the Hemi tick we talked about earlier. Again, nothing is definitively conclusive here.

The consensus is that every 5.7 Hemi owner should be prepared to pay for new exhaust manifold bolts eventually. If you're very mechanically inclined, this is something you might be able to do yourself. But the vast majority of people will have to take their vehicle to a mechanic to have these bolts replaced.

Multi-Displacement System (MDS)

Modern Hemi engines are equipped with something called a Multi-Displacement System. The MDS shuts off four of the engine's cylinders when cruising at a steady, constant speed. The intent behind this system is to improve fuel economy — and generally speaking, it certainly does.

There aren't necessarily widespread problems with the MDS per se, but rather complaints about the system as a whole. Some Hemi owners say that their engine's MDS deactivates and reactivates seamlessly.

But for others, the MDS doesn't function smoothly at all. Some owners say that there's a loud droning sound when the engine shuts off and reactivates the cylinders. This droning sound is even more prominent when the vehicle has an aftermarket exhaust system.

There is speculation among 5.7 Hemi owners that the MDS could potentially be bad for the engine long-term. They posit that it surely can't be good for an engine to routinely turn part of itself off and then back on again. But given how relatively new this technology is, the jury is still out on whether or not this feature is harmful to the engine itself.

The MDS isn't necessarily an "issue" with the 5.7 Hemi, but it's a feature that many owners strongly dislike. The good news is that there's a simple way to disable this system on the steering wheel.

Is The 5.7 Hemi A Good Engine?

Engine body is covered in engine cover.

Overall, the 5.7 Hemi is an outstanding engine. It has earned a reputation as a reliable and sturdy workhorse of an engine.

If you talk to anyone that owns a vehicle with a 5.7 Hemi engine, they will likely have very few, if any, bad things to say about it. Like any engine, the 5.7 Hemi has its quirks, but it remains one of the most reliable engines available.

How Long Will A 5.7 Hemi Engine Last?

There are plenty of testimonials on vehicle forums about the 5.7 Hemi lasting well over 200,000 miles, some even lasting over 300,000 miles. It's also worth mentioning that these accounts are from older Hemi engines. Chrysler has improved upon this engine year after year, so modern Hemis are sure to last just as long if not longer.

If you change your oil regularly and perform other routine maintenance, the 5.7 Hemi can really go the distance. With the right care, you can expect a 5.7 Hemi to last a very long time. As a general rule, other parts of the vehicle will likely nickel-and-dime you long before the Hemi gives out.

Common Problems With High-Mileage Hemis

There are few accounts of problems that plague high-mileage Hemis. The exhaust manifold bolt issue we talked about earlier has been known to crop up at around 100,000 miles in most cases. Aside from this issue and general wear and tear, the 5.7 Hemi should continue to run strong if maintained well.

How Much Does It Cost To Have A 5.7 Hemi Rebuilt?

Dodge Truck 1500 Hemi 5.7L logo

It will cost anywhere from $2500 to $7000 to have a 5.7 Hemi engine rebuilt. This price range is wide because the cost will depend on a variety of factors. These factors include the specific parts of the engine that are being rebuilt and the amount of labor involved. For example, you might be able to save some money by salvaging parts of another engine.

We hope this guide has helped you better understand what makes the 5.7 Hemi engine unique along with its common problems and pitfalls. Before you go, be sure to check out these other posts -

Ram 1500: What Are The Common Problems?

Why Is My Car Engine Shaking? (And How To Fix It)

Share this article

21 Comments

  1. So you are not going to tell the people about the problem with the CAM AND LIFTERS the roller lifter suck or the design sucks or you have to use performance oil like the old flat tappet cams THE lifters dont get any oil or not good enough oil read the analysis of a cam and lifters made by a well educated and experienced Professional person. Steves machine shop in Liberty NY wow what a guy. But 80% of all high milage hemis engine miss-fires codes are because of a rounded lobe, not a 1hr job either its not an LS

    • Exactly, you are absolutely correct in mentioning these issues. Hemi engines are the worst, pricey to repair any issues

    • Lol (not an LS) ur right to talk about the lifters but lifter failure is not as common as one might think.. high idle times are what kill the lifters. You brought up LS as it’s some kind of bullet proof engine lol when we both know it’s plagued with oil issues ring isssues etc .. EVERY ENGINE HAS IT PROBLEMS ..

  2. To all you 5.7 hemi dodge truck owners my 5.7 has 300,000 plus miles and the only thing that i had to replace is the oil and a oil sending sensor yeah it has my thumbs way up. Right on american made

    • You are one of the lucky ones, I had to replace my engine after 300,000 km and I take good care of my vehicles. I owned a Lincoln Towncar and a GMC Envoy that I drove both for 10 years without engine or transmission issues. Hemi engines have issues, they are not made equally!!

    • That is Great that your truck does not have this problem. That said this is an issue that Dodge has not addressed. Out of all my work trucks the ford has had this issue with the lack of oil on the top end causing the cam lobes to get chewed up causing misfires. This is an issue that Dodge needs to address.

      • Yes so true I’m goin throught this now 3000 shop was recommend to replace motor to be sure to get all the metal out they got a recall on this yet

  3. I would not recommend the Hemi to anyone I care about. This motor is awful and the cam and lifters go out on all of them. Chrysler knows this is a common issue with all of its 5.7 Hemi motors but refuses to address the issue knowing it would bankrupt their company.stay away from the Hemi unless you wanna spend 5-8k fixing this awful motor.

  4. My family has had nothing but issues with the Hemi engines and the exhaust manifold gasket bolts. My daughter and I had to replace our engines and she just replaced the transmission at just under 200,000 km. She has a 2014 Dodge Sport Crew Cab, I have a 2010 Dodge Laramie Crew Cab. After researching the hemi engines, I now know that these types of engines are only built for 200,000 km and the odd few at 300,000 km. In a way, I guess I was lucky to put 300,000+ km before I replaced my engine. She had to replace her engine after 150,000 km.
    I am totally unhappy with the Dodge hemi trucks, the Laramie is and has been a beautiful truck that I have maintained well, since it was new. However, I will never recommend a Dodge truck with a hemi engine to anyone ever. Some people are mentioning they haven’t had issues and yet there are us unlucky ones who have had to pay big expense just to keep driving our trucks. Chevy or Ford trucks it will be!!

  5. I agree with you Justin, worst vehicle I have ever owned for mechanical issues, a Dodge Laramie Crew Cab and my daughter drives a Dodge Sport Crew Cab, we both had to replace our engines and both had issues with the exhaust manifold gasket bolts, not a cheap fix. Uuggh, never again!!

  6. Has FCA offered any “fix” for the current 5.7 engine such as different oil,etc. No manufacturing changes or anything to address this problem?

  7. I purchased a used Ram 2500 (5.7) with 62000 miles. The transmission started to grieve me at 120000 miles and at 153000 miles, the motor sucked a valve. I know look at this beautiful truck that occupies my driveway and can not justify the costs of the repair. My father taught me how important service is to a vehicle and I consider myself to be a good stewart to every vehicle that I have ever owned. Advice: do your homework before purchasing any vehicle; new or used.

  8. Yes I’m face with the lifter problems now, I’ve been a Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler owner all my life and I think this is my last one. Chrysler has let me down and you don’t get to do that to me twice

  9. @ 112K two years old the Hemi 5.7 2012 also had a hungry roller and ate its lobe(lol).5000 to change all the lifters it was lack of oil change, said the Dodge Dealer
    . And I’m thinking of buying a new 1500 Ram again. Is this normal?

  10. i just read all of what has been posted and im haven all these issues also # 7 miss fire took it the shop had coils replaced 650$ didn’t fix anything mechanic told me that a lifter is mostly stuck open that’s why it is ticking also when that happens it messes up the can long story short motor is junk 5000$ to fixs 7000$ for a new one he also said he has four motors in the back of the shop that have the same issues and one in the parking lot with the same issue as i have the 2014 1500 with 110,000 on it im A firm believer that the issue came from when it shuts four cylinders is down at cruising speed the Hemi back in the day hell yeah awesome but these days their junk never again will i owen a 5.7 oh and the cost to fix or replace is outrageous going back to the ford

  11. Hemi engines are the most powerful V8’s around, but at the same time carry the highest price tag for repairs.
    There are many common problems associated with Hemi engines. The main problem is that they carry a heavier price tag for repairs than an equal size non-Hemi engine would have.
    Part of this is due to the reputation of the Hemi engine. People wanting power know that they must pay for it, and Hemi engines cost more than other engines. There are additional problems with some kinds of repairs. Many parts on a Hemi engine are aluminum, which means they can warp or crack when exposed to too much heat through repeated use. This can lead to even more costly repairs in the future.

    The Hemi engine is also known for requiring special care during oil changes. They require a higher grade of oil or metallic particles may contaminate your oil or damage your engine. These small metal particles are difficult to remove and cause major problems for this kind of engine.

    Too much input and less outcome 🙂

  12. My 2014 Ram has a misfire that I can’t get rid of. I changed both spark plugs and coil pack. Once I changed them I got another code on my ODB reader that comes up as air/fuel imbalance in bank one. Has anyone had that problem in the past and if so how did you fix it. Thanks in advance.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *