5.7 Hemi: years, specs & known problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 3, 2026

The 5.7 Hemi is Chrysler's 5.7-liter pushrod V8, launched in the 2003 Ram at 345 hp and 375 lb-ft. A 2009 redesign with variable cam timing raised the Ram 1500 to 390 hp and 407 lb-ft, and the eTorque mild-hybrid version makes 395 hp and 410 lb-ft. Ram dropped it for 2025 and brought it back for 2026.

The third-generation 5.7-liter HEMI is a two-valve pushrod V8 with hemispherical-style combustion chambers that first went into the 2003 Ram pickup. Early engines made 345 hp and 375 lb-ft in the Ram 1500. For 2009 the engine was reworked with variable valve timing, a higher compression ratio, freer-flowing intake and exhaust, and a wider operating range for the Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which shuts off four cylinders at light load; output in the Ram 1500 rose to 390 hp and 407 lb-ft.

From the 2019 Ram 1500 the 5.7 was offered with eTorque, a 48-volt belt-driven motor-generator that adds start-stop and short bursts of torque, rated 395 hp and 410 lb-ft. Ram replaced it with the Hurricane inline-six for 2025, then reinstated it as an option for 2026. The engine's best-known weak point is lifter and camshaft wear, the so-called Hemi tick; its NHTSA recalls are mostly peripheral items such as software, alternators and relays rather than internal engine parts.

5.7 Hemi at a glance

Chrysler / Stellantis 5.7L HEMI V8 (Gen III): model years, fuel and peak Stellantis-published output by version
Engine	Model years	Fuel	Peak hp	Peak torque (lb-ft)	Documented problems	Recalls
2003–2008 5.7L HEMI	2003–2008	Gasoline	345	375	0	0
2009+ 5.7L HEMI "Eagle" with VVT and MDS	2009–present	Gasoline	395	410	1	4

CarWhere lists 1 documented problem and 4 NHTSA recalls for the 5.7 Hemi, each with a source.

2003–2008 5.7L HEMI

Original third-generation 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with two valves per cylinder and two spark plugs per cylinder, introduced in the 2003 Ram and later spread to Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep cars and SUVs.

2003–2008 5.7L HEMI specifications

2003–2008 5.7L HEMI: design facts (2003–2008)
Specification	Value
Displacement	5.7 L (345 cu in)
Valvetrain	Pushrod (OHV), 2 valves per cylinder
Cylinder deactivation	Multi-Displacement System (MDS) on some applications before 2009[1]

2003–2008 5.7L HEMI horsepower and torque by year

2003–2008 5.7L HEMI: Stellantis-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model years	Application	Horsepower (hp)	Torque (lb-ft)	Source
2003–2008	Ram 1500Baseline cited against the 2009 update	345	375	[1]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which vehicles have the 2003–2008 5.7L HEMI?

Models and model years offered with the 2003–2008 5.7L HEMI
Model	Model years	Notes
Dodge Ram 1500	2003–2008
Dodge Ram 2500/3500	2003–2008
Dodge Durango	2004–2008
Jeep Grand Cherokee	2005–2008

2009+ 5.7L HEMI "Eagle" with VVT and MDS

Revised 5.7 with variable cam timing, higher compression, less restrictive intake and exhaust and an expanded MDS range. It powered Ram trucks, Charger, Challenger, Durango, Grand Cherokee and the 2022–2023 Wagoneer, and from 2019 was offered in the Ram 1500 with the eTorque 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

2009+ 5.7L HEMI "Eagle" with VVT and MDS specifications

2009+ 5.7L HEMI "Eagle" with VVT and MDS: design facts (2009–present)
Specification	Value
Valve timing	Variable valve timing added for 2009[1]
Cylinder deactivation	Multi-Displacement System (4-cylinder mode at light load)[1]
Mild hybrid (2019+ Ram 1500)	eTorque 48-volt belt starter-generator with start-stop[5]
2025 Ram 1500	Dropped in favor of the 3.0L Hurricane I6[4]
2026 Ram 1500	Returned as an option on most trims (not RHO or Tungsten)[5]

2009+ 5.7L HEMI "Eagle" with VVT and MDS horsepower and torque by year

2009+ 5.7L HEMI "Eagle" with VVT and MDS: Stellantis-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model years	Application	Horsepower (hp)	Torque (lb-ft)	Source
2009–2012	Ram 1500	390	407	[1]
2014	Ram 2500/3500	383	400	[2]
2019	Durango GT (AWD)	360	—	[3]
2019–2024	Ram 1500 with eTorque	395	410	[4]
2026	Ram 1500 with eTorque	395	410	[5]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which vehicles have the 2009+ 5.7L HEMI "Eagle" with VVT and MDS?

Models and model years offered with the 2009+ 5.7L HEMI "Eagle" with VVT and MDS
Model	Model years	Notes
Ram 1500	2009–2024, 2026–present	eTorque versions from 2019; not offered for 2025
Ram 2500/3500	2009–2018	Standard gas V8 at 383 hp for 2014
Dodge Charger R/T and Challenger R/T	2009–2023
Dodge Durango	2011–present
Jeep Grand Cherokee	2011–2023
Jeep Wagoneer	2022–2023	Replaced by the Hurricane I6 for 2024

2009+ 5.7L HEMI "Eagle" with VVT and MDS problems and what to check

"Hemi tick": lifter roller and camshaft lobe wear (2009+ Eagle engines (most reports 2011–2020))

Major repair

The best-documented failure is a hydraulic roller lifter whose needle bearings seize, so the roller skids on the camshaft lobe and wears it flat. Lubrication at low rpm, oil viscosity and parts quality have all been suggested as causes; whether the cylinder-deactivation (MDS) lifters are to blame is disputed, and FCA/Stellantis has not issued a recall or confirmed a defect. A class action (Petro v. FCA US LLC, D. Del.) alleges valvetrain defects in 2014–2022 5.7L and 6.4L trucks and SUVs; those claims are allegations, not findings.[6][7]

Symptoms

Rhythmic ticking from the top of the engine that does not fade when warm
Misfire codes on one cylinder, often with a rough idle
Loss of power or a check-engine light under light load

Check before buying

Listen at idle with the hood open after the engine is fully warm
Scan for stored misfire codes and ask whether any cylinder has repeated misfires
Ask for records of a camshaft and lifter replacement and what parts were used

2009+ 5.7L HEMI "Eagle" with VVT and MDS recalls

NHTSA safety recalls related to the 2009+ 5.7L HEMI "Eagle" with VVT and MDS (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaign	Reported	Vehicles	Summary
23V265	2023-04	2021 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L eTorque V8131,700 vehicles	Powertrain control module software could create an incorrect fuel mixture and stall the engine. Dealers update the PCM calibration.
17V435	2017-07	2011–2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Charger, Durango and 2012–2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 5.7L or 3.6L and electro-hydraulic power steering442,214 vehicles	The alternator can fail suddenly, which can cut power steering assist and lead to a stall.
15V115	2015-02	2012–2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango with the 3.6L, 5.7L or 6.4L339,525 vehicles	The fuel pump relay inside the TIPM-7 power module can fail and stall the vehicle without warning. Dealers fit a relay outside the TIPM.
15V663	2015-10	2016 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L and dual exhaust built Aug. 3–10, 2015253 vehicles	The spare tire heat shield may be missing; dealers install it and replace the spare if needed.

5.7 Hemi issues by model

The same engine shows up on these known-issues pages, with model-specific details.

Ram 1500: 5.7 Hemi lifter and camshaft wear ("Hemi tick") (2014–2020)
Ram 1500: 5.7 eTorque engine stall from PCM software (recall 23V265) (2021)
Dodge Durango: 5.7 Hemi lifter and camshaft wear (2014–2021)
Dodge Charger: 5.7 Hemi lifter and camshaft wear (2014–2016)

Related Ram, Jeep and Dodge research

Confirm a vehicle really has the 5.7 Hemi.

The engine a Ram left the factory with is part of its build record. The CarWhere Ram build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Ram build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

How much horsepower does a 5.7 Hemi have?

It depends on year and vehicle: 345 hp and 375 lb-ft in the 2003–2008 Ram 1500, 390 hp and 407 lb-ft after the 2009 update, 383 hp in 2014 Ram heavy-duty trucks, and 395 hp and 410 lb-ft in the eTorque Ram 1500.

What is the Hemi tick?

It is the owner term for a ticking valvetrain noise usually traced to a hydraulic roller lifter whose bearings seize and wear a camshaft lobe. The failure is widely reported but has no recall, and its root cause, including whether MDS contributes, is disputed.

Does the 5.7 Hemi have MDS?

Yes. The Multi-Displacement System can shut off four cylinders at light load to save fuel, and its operating range was widened with the 2009 redesign.

Is the 5.7 Hemi still available?

Yes. Ram dropped it from the 2025 Ram 1500 in favor of the Hurricane inline-six, then brought it back as an option for 2026 at 395 hp and 410 lb-ft with eTorque.

What is eTorque on the 5.7 Hemi?

eTorque is a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that replaces the alternator with a belt-driven motor-generator, adding engine start-stop, brake energy capture and a short torque boost. It arrived on the 2019 Ram 1500.

Sources

Ratings are Stellantis-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

2009 Dodge Ram: Less Fuel, More Power — Automotive Fleet
2014 Ram Heavy Duty to Feature All-New V-8 Engine and New Rear Suspension System — Automotive Fleet
New 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye: Possessed by the Demon — Stellantis North America media
2025 Ram 1500 Lineup is V8-less; Hurricane Engines Take Charge — MotorWeek
2026 Ram 1500 Brings Back The Hemi V8 (June 2025) — Jalopnik
Chrysler Built Hemi Engines With A Major Engineering Defect (March 2020) — Jalopnik
Chrysler HEMI Engine Ticking Noise Lawsuit (Petro v. FCA US LLC, May 2022) — CarComplaints.com (secondary reference)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Stellantis or Cummins Inc. Ram, Jeep, Dodge, HEMI, SRT, Hellcat, Hurricane and the model names are trademarks of their owners.