9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,730
Average Mileage:
107,750 miles
Total Complaints:
41 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace camshift and lifter (20 reports)
  2. replace parts (7 reports)
  3. full set replacement (6 reports)
  4. not sure (5 reports)
  5. replace engine (3 reports)
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #21

Jul 232018

Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 157,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

lifter and cam issue lifter and cam issue lifter and cam issue

2011 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn- cylinder 3 misfire. Another lifter roller seized up and ate a groove in the cam (exhaust lifter), upon inspection of other lifters, cylinder 3 intake lifter roller was almost locked up and 2 other ones on the other side were about to give out too. Dealership charged me $3,800 to fix what they said was a "common problem in the 2011 5.7L Hemis" (Their words, not mine.)

- Dayne R., Springdale, US

problem #20

May 242018

Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

This WAS my son's truck, he was coming home from a movie and called me complaining that the truck had a severely loud squeal coming from the engine, It was late at nite and i thought it was a pulley or adjuster or bad belt, so I told my him will pull the serpentine belt in the morning and see if it stops. NOPE still squeaking like TWO LITTLE PIG. Called the dealer that morning to see if I could get it in, they said yes bring it in. They called me back later that afternoon and said I had a some collapsed lifters that grounded into the camshaft, also the heads where warped, WTF!!!!!!!!!!

So they machined the heads, put in new valves, seats, guides and cam. After its some what put back together, I'm informed that the lifters are now on back order and the dealer has NO CLUE!!! when they will get them to finish my motor. The service writer said that DODGE has know about the lifter issue with this motor. That was over 6 wks ago.

This is a complete SHITT show for a company like dodge to do this to its customers!!! Thank GOD we bought the extended warranty on this POS!! to cover all the shitt that's broke on this truck. Owned it less then 2 yrs with 80k miles on it, bought it with 58k miles on it and have had to replaced the transmission, front driveline and now this. NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A DODGE. Wound up selling my DURAMAX to my son so he had a reliable truck to use for work, as soon as this POS!!! is fixed its getting kicked down the road for a 15 or 16 CHEVY DURAMAX THAT RUNS!!!!!!!!!!

- Kent S., Idaho Falls, ID, US

problem #19

Apr 012018

Ram 1500 Sport 5.7L V8 Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

CYL 2 MISFIRE CODE, CYL 2 LOW IONIZATION CODE. JOLTED AT LOW RPM. LOW COMPRESSION CYL 2. SIEZED CAM LIFTER, ATE INTO CAM, NEED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH PARTS. HOPEFULLY NO DAMAGE TO HEAD...

- Brad C., Salisbury, MD, US

problem #18

Nov 112017

Ram 1500 LS 5.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Last straw! I'm not paying another dime to fix anything else.

- Stephanie F., Hazel Green, AL, US

problem #17

Jun 012012

Ram 1500 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

I bought truck new from day one it had lifter noise .My son asked if it was a diesel? He is not a mechanic. After driving for awhile did not get any better. Took to dealer said they replaced rocker arms.This did not take care of noise took back they said they replaced lifters. still noisy said was normal. I only have about 30000 miles on this truck always had it serviced. i am worried something bad is about to happen! warranty is gone can I still get this fixed since problem was not fixed while under warranty

- Thomas P., Rixford, US

problem #16

Jan 052018

Ram 1500 Big Horn 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

I'm really disappointed in the 2011 Dodge Ram. 130,000 miles and having issues with lifter and cam. Check engine light is consistently blinking when under harder acceleration then goes out. Shows code P0302 misfire cylinder 2. I've performed all maintenance at the recommended intervals. The quality of parts are very poor in my opinion. Dodge should take more pride in their quality of parts and stand behind their parts /engine. The consumer should not have to pay thousands of dollars in engine repair. This is ridiculous and Dodge should have a recall on the so called Great Hemi Motor. I know guys running much older vehicles with 300k and 400k miles and no motor work. Hopefully Dodge will step up to the plate and resolve these known issues.

- Markg37xs .., Slatington, PA, US

problem #15

Dec 142017

Ram 1500 Sport 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought the truck from an auction and when driving it home the truck starts to shake real bad and engine light started flashing. I thought it was a fuel issue since it was almost out of gas. Changed the gas but truck still doing the same thing and engine light still flashing. scanned the truck and found out that cylinder #3 misfire. changed ignition coil and new spark plugs but still same issue. Read online that a huge number of people with the 5.7L hemi having the same issue with the engine due to bad mds lifters sticking causing the cam to go out as well. Took it to dodge and did a diagnostic test and they came back with a $3000 repair list stating this same thing. They told me that I missed the warranty deadline by 4 month. Called Chrysler/dodge and talked to a manager to see if they will claim this issue or help me with this repair cost but they said no and gave me punch of bullshit reasons. They need to recall this issue, too many customers forced to spend their hard earned money on a sh*tty engine like this.

- dodgecustomer, Nashville, US

problem #14

Jan 052018

Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 144,422 miles

While accelerating onto the freeway just this week, the engine light came on, the truck exhibited an unusual shudder and an obvious loss of power as well as greatly decreased mileage. After some research online, I did some diagnosing and discovered the #3 misfire code related to the CEL. Upon more investigation, the #3 intake rocker is moving about 1/3 of what it should be. Having not yet torn the engine down, I can not provide pictures of what will be a ground cam lobe and likely seized or destroyed lifter. I wish I had known of this issue sooner, but the problem would simply have been someone else's. I would prefer that Dodge handles the known issue.

- John S., Ham Lake, US

problem #13

Jan 012018

Ram 1500 Big Horn 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

ram1500liftercam-metoo!

Driving down the highway and the truck started to shudder at high RPM's. Had a certified tech diagnose said cylinder #5 intake valve is not opening all the way. Needs new lifters and cam with only 80k miles. No help offered from the Dodge/Ram Dealer! 3k quote for repairs!

- atlm1ke, Marietta, US

problem #12

Nov 272017

Ram 1500 Outdoorsman 5.7lhemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

click to see larger images

lifter and cam issue lifter and cam issue

Truck coded misfire CYL5 changed plugs no change moved coil no good. Problem getting worse. In the morning drove to work really bad shutter misfire. Called my mechanic within the hour he called said lift on 5 not opening valve. Did research and found the laundry list of people who had the same exact problem. Talked with Ram people online they wanted me to take it in to the dealer. I said you pay for the tow and diagnosis and we have a deal. They wouldn't. My mechanic has far more knowledge then them. So I called and complained, yelled, screamed ranted and they would do nothing without the dealership diagnosis and even then the dealers told me it's not covered due to time. I urge all of you other people to file reports with NHTSA that the only way we are gonna make them pay .

Update from Dec 4, 2017: Anyone who has filed a complaint with ram please let me know your case # im fighting this one all the way

Update from Dec 5, 2017: some pictures of the repair

- jmccombs, Windsor, US

problem #11

Oct 102017

Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine light came on and wouldn't go off. Truck began skipping/misfiring. Got worse very fast to the point that it began shaking violently and became unable to be driven. Took to mechanic who advised they had similar issues with other 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Trucks. Took to two dealerships who didn't want to get involved. Depreciated value of truck to around 1/3 because of problem. Had no choice but to pay and have it fixed. Truck was under warranty until 100,000 miles and ran fine. Other Dodge trucks, not of this year, have more than twice the mileage and have not had any work performed. Seems to be an issue with 2011 Dodge with 5.7 Hemi. This should be covered by Dodge since it was barely out of warranty. Contacted them and was told to hold onto to all receipts in case they decide to issue a recall. Replaced spark plugs, fuel injector and coil before cam and lifter issues were diagnosed on the #8 cylinder. All total with repairs $2,700. I have owned Dodge trucks before and have never had any problems.

- Adrian C., Wetumpka, US

problem #10

Aug 102017

Ram 1500 Bighorn Crew Cab 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,894 miles

It started on a trip a few hrs out when I passed someone, truck shook like crazy and engine light came on. I pulled over turned it off then back on. It seemed ok but engine light was still on. I continued till I got to the next town, had it diagnosed of misfire on cylinder 3. Tried new spark plugs on cylinder 3 and coil pack no change. It only happened at higher rpms. When I got home my mechanic was working on a 2012 with the exact same problem, it turned out to be lifters and cam. I will never buy a Chrysler product ever again - a waste of hard earned money. They should do a recall on them!

Update from Oct 11, 2017: Truck is in the shop turns out camshaft is being replaced and lifters. It was a seized lifter on cylinder 3 chewing up the cam. Dealer wants 1200 plus tax just for lifters another 89.98 a head gasket bolt set 150 and 150 for camshaft. Over 14hrs in labour. Shame on Dodge for not doing a recall! Over 2000 in parts labour another 150x14hrs It will be over a 4000 job just unbelievable.

- aleonard, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

problem #9

Apr 062017

Ram 1500 Big Horn 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,800 miles

Delivered my truck to the local Dodge dealer in Long Beach, CA and all they could tell me was that it was premature engine failure and total cost was going to be 3500.00, I didnt get a complete and reasonable answer on why an engine with less than 100K miles would fail so quickly. Extremely disappointed because this is my first Ram that I've owned.

- Miguel G., Norwalk, CA, US

problem #8

Sep 072016

Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

Within six months of owning this truck the lifters began to make noise. It was intermittent. Having been a Chrysler mechanic in the past, I did recognize the problem. But knew that the dealer (as did dealers I worked at) would not recognize the issue till it was constant.

I did indeed bring my my truck in for service for a list of things. But this could only be replicated when it was cold. And of course it was not recognized or duplicated for their approval.

Finally in sept. 2016 the check engine light came on. And after research and diagnostics, I found number five intake rocker not moving. The lifter stopped spinning at the tip and wore into the cam shaft. A half inch gouge into lob. All lifters replaced and new cam shaft installed. Entire top end of motor needed to be disassembled because of hemi design. Cost of parts $1200. Labor $1500. Time loss, rental car and lost work time $2000

- Nello F., Shelton, CT, US

problem #7

Nov 142016

Ram 1500 Express 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

Ducking bull sit about I don't know how many it is a lot of other people with the same hemi tick, o yeah it is normal ask your dealer they will tell you that but the truth is that the whole time u are hearing that sh*t your camshaft is being satin away by your f*cked up lifter until it starts running like sh*t because your lifter has eaten your camshaft an then lifter decintagrated. an also wtf 4 lifters min price so far 160$ why ( chevy small block lifter set of 4 25$ ) an it needs 16 lifters your not finished now need camshaft 4 to 6 hundred $ then you know the heads got to come off head gasket set 500$ heads are off got to get those rebuilt you hope to never take them off again so you be stupid not too 300 $ a set there goes 600$ Damon took the timing chain an water pump off got to get new of those you got them on the floor maintenance parts another 200$ might I mention you got to pay someone to do this I would charge me about 1000$ labor good old boy price so let's add up lifters 900$ plus 400$ plus 500$ plus 600$ plus 200$ so 2600$ parts f*ck hemi tick . You know when my truck was under warranty was still good when it started its hemi tick an my dealer pulled it in to repair all the recalls they could because they can Bill the manufacturer dodge in this case but guess what himi tick not listed so guess what it is normal f*ck u all at Jim cogdel dodge you all know what the himi tick is an how to fix it but since it is usually out of warranty before it is as bad as mine is #5 cylinder you know what code it is ok.(not even the first check engine light till it is 4000$ to repair this is not right if your truck is a himi 5.7 an they say it is exhaust leak sounds simular fix exhaust an get that himi tick fixed under warranty if u can if not a good deal on this repair is about 4000$ lol

- Chris R., Knoxville, TN, US

problem #6

Jul 282016

Ram 1500 Sport 5.7L V8 Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,800 miles

click to see larger images

lifter and cam issue

800 miles out of warranty, always followed trucks oil change interval reminder, as soon as it came on stopped at a shop by my office and had it changed, well come to find out, known lifter issue, i should have been changing at 3000 miles religiously, left me with a truck i owe 18k dollars on and i dumped 5k in it to keep it running from a bad design

- Patrick J., Bauxite, AR, US

problem #5

Mar 152016

Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

On March, I started hearing this noise in my RAM 1500 Laramie, and I left it in the dealer where I was thinking will receive the best service. They told me the issue was related to lifters and main piece of the engine. After 5 weeks they call me and killed me charging me 3,800 dollars with 2 years of guarantee E2E for the Engine. 4 1/2 months later, I was going in the highway, my car started giving some engine issues, had to turn it off and took it again to the car dealer. After 3 weeks they called me and told me that the issue wasn't related to the previous one they fixed. So that cost me 1,800 more dollars. Last Friday I took my car again and arriving to my home, started hearing another noise in the engine again. Had to leave the RAM in the dealer again, and just they told me that the noise was in another side of the engine, which they didn't touch. I am expecting their call again to hear that the issue is another thing, how much they will charge me again? I don't know, but what I am very sure is that this time I am not going to pay anything. They need to be the responsible of all my problems with my car. Definitely, looking forward to have my RAM fixed to sell it.

- Jese V., Carolina, Puerto Rico

problem #4

Nov 062015

Ram 1500 Larimie 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,793 miles

Lifters are noisy when you start the motor. I have had this issue since i purchased the truck. The dealer tells me its normal. I don't think its normal to have lifters making a lot of noise when you start the motor & it stays that way for minutes after minutes.

- Bobby H., Ephrata, PA, US

problem #3

Apr 212016

Ram 1500 SL 5.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles

I AM VERY UPSET WITH DODGE, FIRST ISSUE WITH DODGE WAS IN 2013, WIRES UNDER MY TRUCK APPARENTLY WERE CHEWED BY SOMETHING, AND THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

THEN NOV. 2014 MY TRUCK JUST FELT LIKE IT WASN'T RUNNING RIGHT, SO I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEPT IT FOR A MONTH, A FREAKING MONTH, AND WHEN I CALLED, BECAUSE THEY NEVER CALLED ME, THEY SAID, OH, YEAH IT'S READY. I PICKED IT UP AND ON THE DRIVE HOME, IT STILL DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. I CALLED THEM IMMEDIATELY AND TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND I SAID I WANT THE GENERAL MANAGER TO GET IN MY TRUCK SO I COULD LET HIM FEEL WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT, LOL. THE CHICKEN SH*T SENT IS ASSISTANT MANAGER TO DO THE RIDE. I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND GOT UP TO 80MPH AND THE GUY SAYS.....OH, YEAH, SOMETHING IS WRONG.

SO THEY PUT IT BACK IN THE SHOP AND 2 DAYS LATER THEY CALLED ME AND SAID....OH, IT WAS A CAM SHAFT. SO THEY FIXED IT AND I PICKED IT UP AND WENT ACROSS THE STREET TO GET MILK CAME OUT TO GET IN MY TRUCK AND IT WOULDN'T START, WTF!!!!!

I CALLED THEM TO COME GET IT IMMEDIATELY, I WAS FUMING. THEY CHARGED ME $250.00 FOR A BATTERY, I JUST FEEL LIKE DODGE RIPPED ME OFF SO MUCH. THEN LAST WEEK MY TRUCK AGAIN STARTED RUNNING STRANGE AGAIN, MY SON LISTENED TO IT AND SAID IT WAS A ROD, AND CLEARLY A ROD WAS TICKING, TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THAT IS WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW, THE COMPUTER SAID IT WAS SOMETHING LIKE ROD 8, I AM NOW WAITING.....

- Traci G., Floresville, TX, US

problem #2

Mar 052016

Ram 1500 Longhorn 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

click to see larger images

lifter and cam issue

During acceleration, engine light came on and developed small shudder. Took it to the dealer who told me he thought I had a manifold leak. Next day, received a call telling me that I had a cam and lifter issue and cost of repairs would be in excess of $3500. Upon examination, I was informed that metal shavings were throughout the engine, and that after repairs, I should get rid of the vehicle.

Began a search on the internet and found that this is a common problem with the 5.7 liter engine. I then confronted the service writer who acknowledged that it was and that Dodge was aware of it but had issued no recall, and since my engine was out of my extended warranty, no relief would be offered. I had intended to purchase another Ram until I learned this. Under the circumstances, I replaced with a Ford. I will not purchase another Dodge truck.

- dclarkross, Friendswood, TX, US

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