8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$5,260
Average Mileage:
119,250 miles
Total Complaints:
22 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace camshaft and lifters (15 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
  3. replace engine with remanufactored one (2 reports)
  4. replace engine (1 reports)
2012 Ram 1500 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Oct 082020

1500 Longhorn 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,111 miles

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

Started with "check engine "light Diagnosed as Cylinder 4 combustion failure End solution was cam replacement. Chrysler ( Dodge ) would not cover as it was out of warranty. They don't even recommend a tune up until 100,000 mi. but no coverage for a cam shaft at 80,000mi. Won't buy another Dodge. 22 weeks later the computer started randomly showing errors. Barely got it to the dealer before it quit. Diagnosed as alternator over charge. Another $400 bill.

- James S., Gainesville, US

problem #21

Dec 162019

1500 Laramie Longhorn 5.7L Hemi V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 143,000 miles

I had noticed a loss of power and fuel economy over the previous two weeks, as well as an annoying tick when the engine is running. I have made sure I had been putting in 89 octane and have kept up with the maintenance (most recent oil change was less than a month prior). After two tankfuls of lost performance, the check engine light came on, so I took it to the dealer to get it checked out. Error code comes back as cylinder #3 misfiring.

The dealer checks it out and claims to need to remove the valve cover and inspect the engine after the first pass of checking sparks and controller. Engine inspection reveals metal shavings throughout the engine, which the technician suggested was a result of a stuck lifter. Dealer said FCA prescribed remedy was to REPLACE THE ENGINE!! And of course, they recommend that it shouldn't be driven anymore until it is. Holy cow! The dealer wants $9200 to replace it and to keep it for 1-2 weeks. No word yet from FCA.

- Carnot E., Kissimmee, FL, US

problem #20

May 022018

1500 Tradesman 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

Ticking sound, had misfire on cylinder 5, was diagnosed at three mechanic repair shops, the cam shaft and lifters needed to be replaced or a new engine (unsure if metal pieces would be in engine). This is a manufacturing design issue of the engine lifters (seizing) creating damage to the cam shaft. This is an manufacturing( design error) error and should be corrected. It should be recalled as a safety and or mechanical operating defect. (Product defect).

I would like to be a part of the "hemi tick" lawsuit.

- Jason C., San Antonio, US

problem #19

Oct 112020

1500 Larimie 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,876 miles

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

I had the famous Hemi tick twice. The first time it was due to the broken exhaust manifold bolt. It cost me about $1,500 for the repair (all costs in US$). A couple of years later at 172,000 kilometers I got the other Hemi tick. My mechanic diagnosed it as the camshaft and lifter failure issue. I was left with two options for the repair. One was work to get the camshaft and lifters out and replace them. About a $4,000 to $5,000 cost estimated. This option could not guarantee there was no additional damage lower down in the engine from missing cam and lifter pieces. The second option was a remanufactured engine from ADK. The removal, install and the engine itself came in at about $9,000 at my local engine rebuild shop with a three year unlimited mileage warranty.

I was later sent a refund of about $600 for the core which was still usable and sellable. I now have 205,000 km on the truck and it is running fine. I also had the mechanic turn off the MDS as it was suspected of contributing to the premature wear. I purchased the truck brand new and babied it from day one with regular prescribed maintenance. It still looks new after 10 years of Canadian winters. I loved the truck initially but will never purchase another RAM product after this. Hugely disappointed in having to pay what I did and in going through the stress of determining the best option.

- Darren and Susan A., Edmonton, AB, Canada

problem #18

Nov 012021

1500 Bighorn 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155,000 miles

Well, The Hemi Camshaft/Lifter failure finally happened to me. I have a 2012 RAM Bighorn 4x4 Crewcab I love the truck bought it with 90k now it has 155k. Makes me sick now I am having to replace the engine. I have done alot of research on this problem and it is really because the camshaft is so high up in this engine it and the lifters are just plain oil starved. I have had about a dozen trucks over the years always Chevrolets with V-8's never had any engine problems. This was my first and last RAM with this 5.7 HEMI. I know the factory is just saying its just "normal" wear. So now im looking at over $4,200 IF i can find a remanufactured engine from a rebuilder company I trust. And they said 10 weeks out. Plus I will probably have another 2k in install and new parts. Nice huh?

Update from Jun 29, 2022: Wound up letting the dealer where I bought it install a factory crate engine. The dealer was great about getting me an engine and turn around time was about 4 days and they did a great install but now im out 10k.

This engine should not have failed with just 155k miles. Like I said my first and LAST Hemi!

- G G., Clayton, US

problem #17

Jan 112020

1500 Longhorn 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Same issue others mentioned 2012 Ram 5.7 @ 72k Miles CODE P0303 replaced coil and plugs and other diagnostic efforts... Cha Ching Cha Ching pissing more $$ away and still didn't resolve it... mechanic recommendation is to replace motor at $8500 bucks due to overwhelming problems with POS Engine.

I thought I bought a "certified used vehicle" with 28k miles but warranty expired a year ago! If it was a horse, i'd shoot it!

- P R., New Castle, DE, US

problem #16

Jan 292020

1500 Express 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,500 miles

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

P0305 misfire followed by P0300 under load. Replaced the spark plugs followed by the coil pack. Ran Seafoam through the intake and Mystery oil in the crankcase and fuel tank. Temporarily resolved but it came back not 80 miles later. Took it to the dealership and cylinder failed a leak down test at 60%. Later diagnosis showed the rotation of camshaft with poor movement on rocker arm of cylinder 5. Cylinder head removed and and there was a broken bolt on the exhaust manifold.

I'm now having the top end rebuilt at a cost of $3400. Figuring 2012 and earlier Ram 1500s have a 20% chance of this problem developing at ridiculously low mileage. Only can hope it was poorly manufactured lifters or this will surely happen again. Saving parts for a potential class action lawsuit.

- Nyonice T., Newark, NY, US

problem #15

Nov 082019

1500 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 143,246 miles

Chrysler is aware of this valve train problem in the 5.7 Hemi engine, yet has done nothing to recall the vehicles, fix the problem or compensate the victims of these hideous engines. The cam rollers lock up and destroy the lifters and cam at low mileages.

It is time for a Class Action Lawsuit against Chrysler!

- Ken G., Atlanta, GA, US

problem #14

Oct 302020

1500 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

The dealer states they could fix the 8 cylinder, then they just called saying I need a new engine. I'm waiting on the cost.

- Debra V., Queen Creek, US

problem #13

Nov 182020

1500 SXT 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,137 miles

Routine maintenance done at a Dodge dealer. Truck only had 100k in km. With no warnings at all, engine just shut down losing all power. Almost got in a major accident with my child in the truck.

Dealership played games with me.

There should be a class action lawsuit on the known issues with the hemi engine.

- Doug J., Winnipeg, MB, Canada

problem #12

Jun 012020

1500 SL 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,807 miles

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

Bidded and won this vehicle in an auction. Had no idea that this POS has check engine light fault (thanks to Covid-19 lockdown, I couldn’t visit auction before online bidding day to find out what I was buying) Long story short, discovered via OBD2 that #5 cylinder is misfiring. After swapping ignition coil and spark plugs, it is apparent to me that this 2012 Ram 1500 with about 122,000km has the dreaded failed roller lifter/flattened camshaft malady.

Even though this is going to be an expensive repair, I would really love to fix this beast and use it for a while. But after reading other contributors tales of woe regarding the multiple issues with the 5.7 hemi engine, my faith is severely shaken. Would I run into more expensive failures down the road? This truck is past warranty and so any repairs will be out of pocket. Should I just take this thing back to the auction and grieve my losses?

Any pointers or suggestions from others who have had experience with this truck would be very much appreciated.

- Mallam I., calgary, AB, Canada

problem #11

Apr 102020

1500 Laramie Longhorn Crew 4x4 5.7L V8 Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

It's looking like I have the same issue as several others here. The truck started shuttering, pulled into a repair shop, codes indicated misfire on #3, and #5 cylinders. $600 tuneup, fuel system cleanout, and three hours later, back on the road. 15 miles later started shuttering again. Took to a transmission shop. 4 days later, the transmission is fine. Back to my mechanic. He didn't crack into the engine but research has shown (based on this complaint thread and others) its likely a Cam/lifter issue. Before I spend that kind of money on a truck with 135k miles, I'm looking into trading. What a shame, I love this truck, it's done great until now.

- Derrick G., Monroe, NC, US

problem #10

Jul 242019

1500 Longhorn 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,848 miles

I received information from my mechanic about cam and lifter issues. He told me about a national back-order that was told to him by Dodge. Dodge wouldn't even speak to me unless I took it to a Dodge dealer and so I did. The service tech took my information and said I would be right to call Dodge again and to have them actually contact him. Ian at "Dodge Customer Care" was not very, well just right down rude to both myself and the tech at the dealership to simply tell us they were not going to do anything because "There are no problems on his computer" and to Hope I can afford to fix it but to thank me for being a loyal Dodge customer.

I know there are issues with that engine, especially with police Chargers but 128,000 miles on a premium used truck that I paid a premium price for should be able to give me a premium output. There is something wrong with that German made 5.7.

Update from Aug 13, 2019: Started out as a cylinder 4 misfire. I changed the coil pack and spark plug. Then went to cylinder 3 misfire, then multiple so I changed all of the coil packs and spark plugs and after that it ran so rough it was ridiculous! Anything over 3000 rpms or it having to pull, shook like crazy. I've had six Dodges but after this it may be the last.

- Lee G., Rockingham, US

problem #9

Aug 042018

1500 Laramie Longhorn 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,597 miles

click to see larger images

camshaft issue and lifter lock up camshaft issue and lifter lock up camshaft issue and lifter lock up

It started with a ticking sound like a sewing machine. The warranty on the truck had already run out and l never really liked taking my truck to the service dealership such a pain in the ass. Have to make an appointment and wait for days to get the truck in the shop. So I ask my friend who owns a body shop who I could trust with my truck and he told me All Pro Automotive and Kennesaw Georgia. I searched the reviews for the shop and saying that he was very trustworthy. I took it to him and immediately he knew what the problem was there was no I it might be this or it might be that. He told me I had a collapsed lifter on number 6 cylinder he also informed me that I had broken manifold bolts and both sides that hold the heat shields on. He also informed me that it's possible that the camshaft have been eat up and that he could fix the broken bolts on the manifold he had to bore new thread holds on the heads on both sides. So I left the truck with you 2 days later he had it fixed.

When I went to pick it up he explained that it still had a slight tick and that it would go away in a day or two but the ticking never went away so I took it back and it checked it out and explain that you got a hold of some bad lifters from the dealership in Cartersville. Said he would have to order new lifters for that side but they were on back order and what type probably a month to get the lifters. After 2 weeks he finally got lucky and got a hold of some lifters took my truck back and put new lifters on the passenger side. He replaced them in a day and I'll take my truck back up sounded great ran smooth as silk and I have my Hemi horsepower back to normal.

Then January 2019, 6 months later truck started running rough idle very rough Lee and would not accelerate. Check engine light came on and gave it error code of p1416 number 6 cylinder misfire. Possible problems bad MDS solenoid, bad ignition coil, low oil pressure in number Cylinder 6, bad crankshaft sensor or camshaft sensor. These were problems that I could solve myself so I replaced the ignition coil not the problem also replace the crankshaft sensor and the camshaft sensor not the problem.

So I took it back to the shop that's on the repairs he put it on the scanner and said that number MDS solenoid was stuck open causing number 6 cylinder to misfire and run rough. So I had him replace MDS solenoid number 6 $274. Gave it the truck back to me drove fine smooth as silk Hemi horsepower strong as ever. The next day I get up and go to work started misfiring again. Started thinking it was a bad ECM module which is a very costly part and have to have it reprogrammed more money. Back to the shop again Donna scan scan said number 6 cylinder MDS solenoid sticking so he's graciously replaced all four MDS solenoid at no charge. Pick my truck up again no problem run smooth as silk all day long. The next morning get in the truck to go to work starts misfiring again.

Back to the shop once again he was very baffled run compression check on number 6 cylinder was no compression there pull the valve cover and turn the Truck Engine over to watch the valves all vowels were going up and down except for number 6 cylinder. Lifters had collapsed and number 6 cylinder. How the hell can that be two brand new sets of lifters put in and lifter failure again. The lifters are under warranty so once again he's having to pull the head and replace the lifters. This will be the third set of lifters replaced.

What is wrong with Chrysler with a bad MDS solenoid design and bad lifter designs. I have 6 Dodge Rams 1500 dating all the way back to a 1997 Ram 1500 a 2001 Ram 1500 a 2004 Ram 1500 a 2011 Ram 1500 and now it 2012 Ram 1500. I am no longer a Dodge Ram hemi fan ready to change over to Chevy Silverado. Called Chrysler customer service to complain and got nowhere. Don't buy a Ram 1500 with the MDS package it's a bunch of garbage

- smoothfinishes85ws, Acworth, US

problem #8

Jan 042019

1500 ST 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

From what I can find on the internet, this is a common problem with Dodge (5.7L) engine camshaft. My question is; if the company knows this is an issue, why hasn't there been a recall on this issue? I took my truck in for a simple exhaust manifold leak and left with a camshaft problem. If there is anybody that has any suggestion on how to get this problem more out in the open, let me know.

- William K., Whitwell, US

problem #7

May 252018

1500 Laramie Longhorn 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

click to see larger images

camshaft issue and lifter lock up camshaft issue and lifter lock up

Last year in may my Ram began to shake and check engine light would flash. tTurned out to be cylinder 5 lifter being stuck and wearing the cam. I was advised to replace with non mds lifters and to use a tuner to delete the mds (I'm using superchips) unfortunately 15,000 miles later (I drive a a lot) it seems to be having the same issue. This time with lifter on cylinder 6. I cannot stress enough that to stay away from these engines, even in the Charger and Challenger. This is an absolutely horrible experience.

- Colton M., Channelview, TX, US

problem #6

Oct 172018

1500 SLT 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles

Just bought this truck used for around $18,000. Seemed a little sluggish starting up hills but they told me that it was normal and the truck goes into 4 cylinder mode sometimes. I think that was a lie and the guy wouldn't look at me when he was feeding me this BS. My 4 cylinder Altima climbed hills better than this 5.7 hemi.

Anyway, I wanted a "real truck" so I got a Ram. Made first payment and the light came on. I replaced ignition coil and spark plugs. I drove it about 15 miles and it came back on and the truck shakes like crazy around 1800 rpms. Tried to change the valve lifters my self and found a loose rocker arm. This confirmed the worst that it could have been. So I had to get an extra loan of 2500 to get the damn thing fixed.

Dealership won't do anything of course because it is a used truck out of warranty. They are selling another 2012 Ram with 62,000 miles on it right now and the next guy will be screwed. Can't believe that Ram won't recall this P.O.S. engine. I won't be buying a Dodge product ever again.

- Adam R., Ringgold, GA, US

problem #5

Oct 242018

1500 Sport 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 166,000 miles

I've always been a Chrysler guy all my life, until I got this Ram 1500 sport 2012. I used to love it until the problems starting to happen.

Not wasting my time mentioning all the other common problems that I had before, like exhaust manifold bolts, win module etc... now I had the pleasant surprise of getting the code P0305. Did you guess it? Exactly. Bad lifters and cam, driver's side.

I've change oil religiously every 5000, using what the dealer recommends. Still not enough. Now I have a $4k bill in my hands to fix a problem that has been happening over thousands of Rams. This should be a recall, Ram or Chrysler or Fiat or whatever the heck they're called now. They should look at these common problems and start helping their own clients, fixing what we all know that it is usually bad quality.

After this one (it would be the last one) will be another client lost. I'm a General Contractor and I use my truck for daily driving. I will be swapping for Ford

- Marco R., Riverdale, NJ, US

problem #4

Jun 132018

1500 Big Horn 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

Went to have a ticking noise looked at on my 2012 Ram 1500. Comes back to needing a New Cam and All new lifters. MFR is on a national backorder for one set of these lifters with no date as to when they will have them. Is it OK to still be driving it? Are that many RAMS having this issue with the 5.7 Liter Hemi and do I need to veer away from buying another one eventually??? Love my truck and would like to get another 100K miles out of it. Thank God for the Wrap extended Warranty. No out of pocket cost except for the $100 typical.

- Darin H., Shanwee, US

problem #3

Apr 302018

1500 Tradesman 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

Add another to the dissatisfied owner list of the Chrysler 5.7L Hemi. Same issue as so many others. Truck started hesitating and developed a shake during acceleration. Engine light came on. P0305 code. Dealership wants $750 just to open it up and confirm the issue, despite the fact that there are hundreds of cases. They will graciously apply that to the fix, at a labor rate of $140/hr. Guess I'm stuck with that, since I can't find another mechanic that will touch this motor with a 10 ft. pole. Definitely my last Hemi, and last Dodge/Chrysler. Estimated repair costs $3-4k.

This should have been recalled long ago, it has been occurring for years now. 88,000 miles, all maintenance regularly performed, and ran amsoil in it, the whole time.

- Brad H., Oklahoma City, OK, US

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