2013–2018 Ram 1500: 5.7 HEMI ticking (lifter or camshaft failure)
Likely causes, ranked
- Lifter roller seizing and wiping a cam lobe (cam + lifters at an independent shop)$4,500–$6,500Shop
- Same job quoted at a dealer$9,550–$9,550Shop
- New engine if metal debris has spread$13,000–$14,000Shop
- Exhaust manifold bolt leak (a different, cheaper tick)Shop
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
Rough cost: $4,500–$14,000DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: A ticking that speeds up with the engine and is often louder when cold, sometimes with a misfire code. Over time it can turn into a rough idle and a loss of power.
Likely causes (ranked by how often they show up in owner threads)
- Lifter roller failure. The needle bearings in a lifter roller stop turning and grind down the cam lobe. RamForum owners describe it as the classic 5.7 failure. One repair shop quotes about $4,500–$6,500 for the cam and lifters.
- Dealer pricing. An Idaho owner on Reddit was quoted about $9,550 for the cam job and $13,000–$14,000 for a new engine.
- Metal debris spreading through the engine can force an engine replacement.
- Exhaust manifold bolts. A broken bolt makes a "HEMI tick" that's loudest at cold start and fades as the engine warms. It's a much cheaper fix, so rule it out first.
Rough cost range
| Repair | Reported |
|---|---|
| Cam + lifters (independent shop) | About $4,500–$6,500 |
| Cam + lifters (dealer quote) | About $9,550 |
| New engine (quote) | About $13,000–$14,000 |
DIY or shop?
Shop for most people. Pulling the cam on a truck is a big job.
Useful steps
- Have a shop listen with a stethoscope and check for exhaust leaks.
- Read any misfire codes and check the oil for metal flakes.
- Get a quote that includes all 16 lifters, the cam, and cleaning out the oil pan and pickup.
Vehicle focus: 2013–2018 Ram 1500.
Safety / mechanic note
A failing cam or lifter can lead to misfires and a loss of power. Verify with a mechanic before towing or taking long trips.
Recalls & service bulletins
No recalls or service bulletins are listed for this page yet.
NHTSA complaints: 303 keyword-matched complaints for Ram 1500 2013–2018 (of 7,604 total complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.