Dodge Charger: 5.7 Hemi lifter and camshaft failure — the "Hemi tick"
5.7 Hemi lifter and camshaft failure — the "Hemi tick" is a common engine fault on the Dodge Charger on the 2011–2018 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $5,000 to $12,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. 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 5 documented faults on the Dodge Charger.
- Vehicle
- Dodge Charger
- Engine
- 5.7L
- Years
- 2011–2018
- Fuel
- petrol
- System
- Engine
What you are looking at
No photograph available
What goes wrong
The 5.7 Hemi runs cylinder deactivation, and the lifters that make that work are its weak point. A roller lifter seizes or its roller breaks up, the lifter then chews the camshaft lobe it runs on, and the metal from that goes around the engine. It starts as a tick that many owners live with for months. By the time it is loud, the repair is lifters and a camshaft with the heads off — the kind of bill that exceeds what an older Charger is worth here. Regular oil changes with the correct grade are the main defence. Any tick on a Hemi deserves a proper diagnosis before you buy, not a shrug.
What you would notice
- A rhythmic tick from the top of the engine that rises with revs
- Tick that is present when hot, not just on cold start
- Misfire on one cylinder, or a flashing engine light
- Metallic glitter on the dipstick or in the oil filter
How to check it
Where to look. Valvetrain under the rocker covers on both cylinder banks
Listen to the engine from outside the car, first cold and again fully hot — a lifter tick is usually still there when hot, which is what separates it from a harmless cold-start noise.
Have someone hold a steady 2,000 rpm while you listen at each side of the engine; the tick rising with revs points at the valvetrain.
Pull the dipstick and look at the oil under a torch for fine metallic glitter.
Ask how often the oil has been changed and with what.
Check for an engine light and ask whether it has ever flashed.
If a workshop inspection is possible: ask for the stored misfire counts to be read and for a mechanic's stethoscope check across the lifter banks before you commit.
What it costs to put right
$5,000 to $12,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “Has the engine ever had lifters or a camshaft replaced?”
- “Is there any ticking, and when did you first notice it?”
- “What oil and interval has it been serviced on?”
Now check the Dodge Charger 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 has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.
Where this comes from
- Allpar Forums — 'Hemi Tick' thread
- Charger Forums — '5.7 Ticking Noise' thread
- Engine Patrol — '11 Most Common Dodge Charger Problems'
Dodge Charger buyer questions
Is 5.7 hemi lifter and camshaft failure — the "hemi tick" serious on a Dodge Charger?
We rate it critical and common on the Dodge Charger. The 5.7 Hemi runs cylinder deactivation, and the lifters that make that work are its weak point. A roller lifter seizes or its roller breaks up, the lifter then chews the camshaft lobe it runs on, and the metal from that goes around the engine. It starts as a tick that many owners live with for months. By the time it is loud, the repair is lifters and a camshaft with the heads off — the kind of bill that exceeds what an older Charger is worth here. Regular oil changes with the correct grade are the main defence. Any tick on a Hemi deserves a proper diagnosis before you buy, not a shrug.
How much does it cost to fix on a Dodge Charger?
$5,000 to $12,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. 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 Dodge Charger years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 2011–2018 Dodge Charger. 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?
Listen to the engine from outside the car, first cold and again fully hot — a lifter tick is usually still there when hot, which is what separates it from a harmless cold-start noise. Have someone hold a steady 2,000 rpm while you listen at each side of the engine; the tick rising with revs points at the valvetrain. Pull the dipstick and look at the oil under a torch for fine metallic glitter. Ask how often the oil has been changed and with what. Check for an engine light and ask whether it has ever flashed. If a workshop inspection is possible: ask for the stored misfire counts to be read and for a mechanic's stethoscope check across the lifter banks before you commit. Look here: Valvetrain under the rocker covers on both cylinder banks