A well-maintained 5.7 Hemi commonly lasts 200,000 miles or more, and many reach well beyond that. The Hemi is a strong pushrod V8 used in Ram trucks and Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles. Its most documented weak point is the Hemi tick from lifter and camshaft wear, particularly on engines with the Multi-Displacement System (MDS), so oil quality, oil changes and how the engine is driven matter a great deal for long life.
What affects 5.7 Hemi life expectancy
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Oil changes and the specified oil | The lifters and camshaft depend on clean oil |
| MDS lifters | Lifter roller failure causes the tick and camshaft wear; see Hemi tick |
| Long idling and short trips | Hard on oil and lifters |
| Cooling system | Water pump leaks and overheating shorten life |
| Exhaust manifold bolts | Broken bolts tick but do not shorten engine life if fixed |
See 5.7 Hemi problems and 5.7 Hemi specs.
Signs a 5.7 Hemi is wearing out
- A tick that follows engine speed, sometimes with a misfire
- Misfire codes on one cylinder; see engine misfire
- Rising oil consumption or low oil pressure
- Metal in the oil at changes
How to help a Hemi last
- Change the oil on schedule with the grade and specification in the manual.
- Avoid long idling when possible, and drive the truck regularly rather than letting it sit.
- Investigate any new tick promptly rather than waiting for a misfire.
- Keep the cooling system in good shape and replace a seeping water pump early.
Hemi vs other truck V8s
For a comparison with GM’s most common truck V8, see 5.7 Hemi vs 5.3 and how long a 5.3 lasts.
Is the 5.7 Hemi reliable?
Yes, broadly. Many engines run trouble-free for high mileage. The lifter issue is the main thing to monitor; catching a tick early can limit the repair to lifters and a camshaft rather than a full engine.
MDS or non-MDS?
Engines with MDS shut down four cylinders at light load to save fuel. The system relies on special lifters, which is where many Hemi tick complaints start. When replacing an engine, match what your vehicle came with; we list both versions for 2005 to 2009 vehicles.
Buying a high-mileage Hemi
Listen on a cold start, check for misfire codes, ask for oil change records, and be wary of an engine with a persistent tick. A compression test helps; see compression test.
Replacement
We list 5.7 Hemi engines for 2005 to 2009 vehicles, including a non-MDS version at $4,299.00 and a version with MDS at $4,899.00; see all 5.7 Hemi engines, 5.7 Hemi vs 5.3 and engine replacement checklist.
More guides: bent pushrod symptoms · MDS vs non-MDS 5.7 Hemi · Eagle vs pre-Eagle 5.7 Hemi.
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