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KickTyres
CriticalCommonEngine

RAM 1500: 5.7L Hemi MDS Multi-Displacement Lifter and Cam Lobe Failure

5.7L Hemi MDS Multi-Displacement Lifter and Cam Lobe Failure is a common engine fault on the RAM 1500 on the 2009–2018 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs ≈A$3,220 to ≈A$8,280 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 22 documented faults on the RAM 1500.

Vehicle
RAM 1500
Engine
5.7L
Years
2009–2018
Fuel
petrol
Gearbox
auto
System
Engine

This page covers the RAM 1500 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All RAM 1500 faults22 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

RAM's Multi-Displacement System (MDS) on the 5.7L Hemi operates identically to GM's AFM – collapsing lifters deactivate four cylinders under light load. The same failure mode applies: oil passages to MDS lifters restrict, lifters stick in the collapsed position, and associated camshaft lobes wear rapidly. NHTSA received hundreds of complaints. The failure progresses from a cold-start tick to full cam destruction and engine contamination with metal debris. Affects a high proportion of 2009-2018 Hemi-equipped RAM 1500s in Australian used market.

What you would notice

  • Persistent lifter tick at idle, often worse when cold
  • Cylinder-specific misfire codes on OBD scan
  • Elevated oil consumption alongside engine tick
  • MDS system diagnostic fault codes
  • Metal contamination visible in oil

How to check it

Where to look. Valve train, 5.7L Hemi V8 engine block

  1. Warm idle and listen for valve train tick.

  2. Scan for MDS or camshaft fault codes.

  3. Check oil for metallic contamination.

  4. Ask specifically if an MDS delete (lifter replacement + cam) has been done – this is a known pre-sale repair.

What it costs to put right

≈A$3,220 to ≈A$8,280 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, converted to Australian dollars, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has an MDS delete been performed – lifters and camshaft replaced?”
  • “Any ticking from the engine or oil consumption beyond 1L per 5,000 km?”
  • “Has the camshaft or lifters been replaced under any warranty or recall?”

Now check the RAM 1500 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car still has money owing on it, has been written off or reported stolen, what kms it showed in past sale ads, whether it has had accident repair claims and what it is worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate and its state for the A$17.90 Vehicle Check, or the full history from A$24.99.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

RAM 1500 buyer questions

Is 5.7l hemi mds multi-displacement lifter and cam lobe failure serious on a RAM 1500?

We rate it critical and common on the RAM 1500. RAM's Multi-Displacement System (MDS) on the 5.7L Hemi operates identically to GM's AFM – collapsing lifters deactivate four cylinders under light load. The same failure mode applies: oil passages to MDS lifters restrict, lifters stick in the collapsed position, and associated camshaft lobes wear rapidly. NHTSA received hundreds of complaints. The failure progresses from a cold-start tick to full cam destruction and engine contamination with metal debris. Affects a high proportion of 2009-2018 Hemi-equipped RAM 1500s in Australian used market.

How much does it cost to fix on a RAM 1500?

≈A$3,220 to ≈A$8,280 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which RAM 1500 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2009–2018 RAM 1500. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Warm idle and listen for valve train tick. Scan for MDS or camshaft fault codes. Check oil for metallic contamination. Ask specifically if an MDS delete (lifter replacement + cam) has been done – this is a known pre-sale repair. Look here: Valve train, 5.7L Hemi V8 engine block