Why is my 2019+ Ram 1500 Hemi ticking?

Short answer: A tick on a 2019–2024 Ram 1500 Hemi is either broken exhaust manifold bolts (common, cheaper) or a failing lifter and camshaft (more serious). A tick that stays when warm or comes with misfires needs a shop look soon.

Symptom: A ticking or tapping from the engine, sometimes with a check-engine light or misfire.

What to check first

1. Listen cold and warm: a tick that fades when warm points to manifold bolts; one that stays or grows points to lifters.
2. Get codes read for misfires.
3. Ask a shop to check for broken exhaust manifold bolts first, since it's cheaper.
4. Use the correct oil and keep up with changes.

Likely causes

1. Failing roller lifter and camshaft. Lifters are small parts that ride on the camshaft and open the valves. On the 5.7 Hemi, a lifter roller can stop turning and wear the cam, causing a tick and later a misfire.
2. Broken exhaust manifold bolts. A tick that's loud cold and fades when warm is often a broken exhaust manifold bolt leaking exhaust, not a lifter.
3. Normal injector noise. Direct-style injector clicking can be normal. A steady, louder tick that grows is not.

What it usually costs

Lifter and cam work is a big job. These threads didn't post reliable prices; get a written quote and check powertrain warranty.

Is it safe to keep driving?

A failing lifter can get worse and damage the camshaft. If there's a misfire or flashing check-engine light, stop and get it checked.

DIY or shop?

Listening and reading codes is DIY. Lifter and cam replacement is shop work for most owners.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists these recalls touching this area of the Ram 1500: 19V757000 (2019-2019 model years, engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)); 23V411000 (2019-2019 model years, engine and engine cooling). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 176 keyword-matched complaints for Ram 1500 2019–2024 (of 2829 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-08; keywords: tick, lifter, camshaft, misfire, engine noise, knock, Hemi) (NHTSA returned no data for 3 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 1500 5.7 Hemi, are bad lifters a common problem? on Reddit r/ram_trucks, Ram 1500 owners discussed how common lifter failures are on the 5.7 Hemi.
• In Lifter Failure Percentage on Reddit r/ram_trucks, owners tried to estimate how often Hemi lifters fail.
• In 2019 Ram Hemi Engine Failure. on 5thGenRams Forum, a 2019 Ram owner posted about a Hemi engine failure.

Quick tip

Don't let anyone replace a cam before checking the manifold bolts. But don't ignore a tick that stays warm either.

Vehicle focus: Ram 1500 fifth generation (DT, 2019–2024) with the 5.7L Hemi V8, with or without eTorque. The 2019–2024 Ram 1500 Classic is the older body.

Safety / mechanic note

A flashing check-engine light means stop and get it checked. Verify with a mechanic.