The 6.4L HEMI—also called the 392 HEMI in many Dodge and Jeep applications—is generally a strong naturally aspirated V8. Many owners report years of trouble-free service, while others have faced expensive lifter and camshaft repairs. Both experiences can be true.
The most accurate answer is that a properly maintained, mostly stock 6.4L HEMI is usually reliable, but it has a potentially costly valvetrain weakness. A ticking noise deserves attention, although a brief tick immediately after startup is not automatically evidence of engine failure.
What owners say about 6.4L HEMI reliability
Owner feedback is mostly positive when the engine is stock, serviced on schedule and kept at the correct oil level. Long-term discussions include Challenger owners with 2012, 2018 and 2019 cars reporting routine maintenance and, in some cases, only a water-pump replacement. Those are useful real-world experiences, but forum posts cannot establish a statistical failure rate.
Public data does not provide a reliable percentage of 6.4L HEMI engines that fail. Edmunds lists a 3.5/5 RepairPal reliability rating for the 2022 Challenger overall, alongside 53 owner reviews averaging 4.6/5. That information covers the complete Challenger model range, not just the 6.4L engine. The same site lists four 2022 R/T Scat Pack reviews, all rated five stars, but four reviews are far too few to prove long-term reliability.
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- [Package Includes]8 x MDS Front Valve Lifters,8 x MDS Rear Valve Lifters,4 x Lifters Trays w/Bolts,2 x Head Gaskets,2 x Valve Cover Gaskets,30 x Cylinder Head Bolts (20 x Long Bolts ,10 x Small Bolts),Intake Manifold Gaskets,Exhaust Manifold Gaskets,Valve Stem Seals,1 x Camshaft,1 x Water Pump,1 x Timing chain kit,1 x VVT
- [6.4L HEMI MDS Engine Complete Refurbishment Kit] This kit provides a solution for 6.4L HEMI V8 engines equipped with the MDS system. As a comprehensive MDS kit, it is designed to remove unreliable multi-displacement system components—including the frequently failing MDS lifters—thereby significantly enhancing reliability and performance.
- [Prevents Camshaft/Lifter Failures] Replaces fragile OEM MDS lifters with durable non-MDS lifters and pairs them with a specialized camshaft to resolve lubrication issues, lifter collapse, and cam lobe wear.
So, owner reports support this conclusion: many 6.4L engines are durable, but online discussions tend to make the worst failure mode sound more universal than the evidence supports.
There is more than one 6.4L HEMI
A Challenger Scat Pack, Jeep SRT, Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 all use a 6.4-liter HEMI family engine, but they are not interchangeable reliability case studies. The vehicle changes the engine’s calibration, cooling system, transmission, gearing, emissions equipment and workload.
| Application type | Relevant factory sales codes | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge and Jeep performance applications | ESG or ESH | Factory documents distinguish the 6.4L SRT HEMI with MDS from the version without that same MDS designation. |
| Ram heavy-duty trucks | ESA or ESB | Towing, engine hours, cooling demands and truck-specific calibration change the operating environment. |
FCA service information identifies the ESG and ESH configurations in its 6.4L diagnostic bulletin, while a Ram bulletin identifies ESA and ESB truck applications. The engine’s displacement alone is not enough to determine whether a vehicle has MDS, which oil interval applies or how it should be evaluated.
The major concern: lifter and camshaft damage
The expensive problem commonly called the “bad HEMI tick” involves the hydraulic roller lifter and camshaft. If a lifter’s roller or internal bearing fails, it may stop rotating correctly against the camshaft. Continued operation can wear the cam lobe and turn a valvetrain repair into a much larger engine repair.
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- A persistent ticking noise, often most noticeable at idle.
- Possible rough running or a cylinder misfire.
- Camshaft-lobe damage if the vehicle continues to run with the failed lifter.
- Replacement of the camshaft and lifters, with additional repairs if debris has circulated through the engine.
That failure is real, but there is no dependable public Stellantis failure-rate study showing how often it happens. A repair specialist’s 6.4L HEMI problem guide helps explain the mechanism and symptoms; it should not be treated as proof that a particular percentage of engines will fail.
Not every 6.4L HEMI tick is a bad lifter
This distinction matters when diagnosing a used car. The 6.4L owner information for Ram trucks says the engine may tick immediately after startup and then quiet down after approximately 30 seconds. The manual associates this pattern with conditions such as short trips, extended storage, incorrect oil, long oil-change intervals and extended idling. When the noise follows that brief pattern and no other symptoms are present, the manual describes it as normal and not harmful.
A tick that remains after warm-up deserves a proper diagnosis. So does a noise that becomes louder with engine speed or appears alongside a misfire, check-engine light, reduced performance or metal in the oil.
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- COMPATIBLE WITH DODGE: Cam and lifters kit compatible with 2011-2019 Dodge Challenger 6.4L 392ci V8 HEMI, compatible with 2012-2019 Dodge Charger 6.4L 392ci V8 HEMI
- COMPATIBLE WITH JEEP: MDS lifters kit compatible with 2012-2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6.4L 392ci V8 HEMI
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- PART NUMBER: Lifters - 53021726AD, 53021726AE, camshaft - 5038419AB, head gasket - HS26568PT
| Noise or symptom | What it may indicate | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Brief cold-start tick that fades in about 30 seconds | Normal startup behavior or oil draining after storage | Monitor it and confirm the correct oil and service history. |
| Persistent tick after the engine warms | Possible lifter, camshaft or exhaust problem | Have the source isolated before continuing to drive normally. |
| Tick with misfire or check-engine light | Possible valvetrain damage or another mechanical fault | Scan diagnostic codes and avoid treating it as harmless. |
| Sharp ticking near the exhaust manifolds | Exhaust leak, warped manifold or broken fastener | Inspect the manifolds and fasteners before condemning the engine. |
An exhaust leak can sound remarkably similar to valvetrain noise. A mechanic should locate the sound with the engine cold and warm rather than diagnosing a failed camshaft from a video or a quick listen.
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Does MDS cause 6.4L HEMI failures?
Owners frequently connect lifter failures with MDS, cylinder deactivation, extended idling and oil-flow conditions. Those concerns are widely repeated, but there is no public Stellantis document proving that disabling MDS universally prevents lifter failure.
Not every 6.4L has MDS in the same form. Factory documents distinguish the ESG 6.4L SRT HEMI with MDS from the ESH version without that same designation. Check the vehicle’s build information, engine sales code and transmission rather than assuming from the displacement.
Some owners use Sport mode or aftermarket tuning to avoid cylinder deactivation because they dislike the operating feel. An MDS delete may be an owner’s modification choice, but it is not a factory-approved guarantee of longer engine life. Tuning can also affect emissions compliance, warranty coverage and drivability.
Oil and maintenance are critical
The valvetrain depends on clean oil at the correct level and viscosity. Neglected oil changes, repeated low-oil operation, long periods of idling and severe use are more useful warning signs than internet claims that every 6.4L requires the same service schedule.
For the 2023 Challenger 6.2L and 6.4L engines, the factory maintenance schedule calls for oil and filter replacement every 6,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. It specifies synthetic SAE 0W-40 oil for the 6.4L.
For the 2022 Ram 2500 and 3500 gasoline 6.4L, the stated maximum is 8,000 miles, 12 months or 350 engine hours, whichever comes first. That manual also recommends checking the oil every 3,000 miles, after the engine has reached operating temperature and has been shut off for at least 30 minutes.
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- 16) PREMIUM NON-MDS LIFTERS
The Ram specification calls for API-certified full-synthetic SAE 0W-40 meeting Stellantis material standard MS-A0921. Always use the manual for the specific vehicle. A 3,000-mile oil change may be sensible for severe service, frequent short trips, racing, high temperatures, towing or extended idling, but it is not a universal factory requirement for every 6.4L application.
Other problems owners report
Water pumps
Some Challenger owners report water-pump noise or replacement. That is an accessory-system issue, not proof that the 6.4L long block is unreliable. It should be checked by model year and VIN rather than generalized to every car, truck and Jeep using the engine.
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Some higher-mileage engines consume oil. Possible causes include ring wear, PCV-system problems, valve-guide wear or an external leak. The practical concern is a change in consumption: a vehicle that suddenly needs frequent top-offs, shows blue smoke, develops a low-oil warning or leaves oil on the ground needs diagnosis.
Heat and heavy use
A Ram 2500 towing a heavy trailer, a Challenger making repeated launches and a modified vehicle with forced induction impose very different loads. High temperatures, heat soak, towing and poor modifications can shorten the life of components even when the basic engine is sound.
Software and drivability complaints
Not every engine-related warning indicates internal damage. Stellantis has issued PCM software bulletins for 6.4L vehicles, including a 2022 Challenger bulletin involving EVAP-related diagnostic codes and a 2015 bulletin covering 6.4L diagnostic and system improvements. Scan the vehicle, record the exact codes and check VIN-specific service information before assuming the engine needs mechanical work.
What to check before buying a used 6.4L HEMI
- Start it cold. Ask the seller not to warm the engine before you arrive.
- Time the noise. Determine whether a tick fades within roughly 30 seconds or continues once the engine is warm.
- Listen around the exhaust manifolds. Look for an exhaust leak, broken fastener or exhaust odor.
- Scan for codes. Check current, pending and history codes, including misfire and cam/crank-correlation faults.
- Check the oil level and condition. Look for evidence of low-oil operation or metal contamination.
- Review records. Confirm oil-change dates, mileage, oil specification and repairs rather than relying on the seller’s verbal assurances.
- Identify the configuration. Verify the engine sales code and whether the vehicle uses MDS.
- Look for modifications. Superchargers, turbochargers, camshafts, aggressive tuning and MDS-related modifications deserve extra scrutiny.
- Ask how it was used. Racing, repeated launches, towing and extended idling affect risk.
- Run the VIN. Use the NHTSA recall lookup to check for unrepaired recalls. Recall repairs are generally performed free by the manufacturer’s dealer.
If a persistent tick is present, pay for a professional inspection before buying. A compression or leak-down test may help, but the technician may also need to inspect the valvetrain, oil filter and camshaft-related data to identify the actual fault.
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How long can a 6.4L HEMI last?
There is no honest universal mileage guarantee. Some examples accumulate high mileage with routine maintenance, while others need major valvetrain work much earlier. Mileage, by itself, is less informative than oil history, cold-start behavior, modifications, engine hours and how the vehicle was driven.
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- FITMENT: NON MDS Lifters kit fit for 2012-2014 Chrysler 300 6.4L 392ci V8 HEMI
- FITMENT: Cam and Lifter kit fit for 2012-2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6.4L 392ci V8 HEMI
- FITMENT: 6.4 Hemi camshaft kit fit for 2011-2019 Dodge Challenger 6.4L 392ci V8 HEMI, for 2012-2019 Dodge Charger 6.4L 392ci V8 HEMI
- PART NUMBER: HS26568PT, 53021720AB, 53021720AD, 53021720AE, 5038419AB
A documented, stock 6.4L with stable oil consumption, no persistent tick, clean diagnostic results and consistent service history is a much better prospect than a lower-mileage car with skipped oil changes and performance modifications.
FAQ
Are 6.4L HEMI engines reliable?
Yes, generally. A stock, properly maintained 6.4L HEMI is usually a durable naturally aspirated V8, but lifter and camshaft failure is a real, potentially expensive risk.
Does every 6.4L HEMI develop the HEMI tick?
No. Many owners report trouble-free operation. A brief tick that disappears after about 30 seconds can be normal, while a persistent tick—especially with a misfire or warning light—needs diagnosis.
How often should you change the oil in a 6.4L HEMI?
Use the vehicle’s own manual. For example, the 2023 Challenger schedule specifies 6,000 miles or six months, while the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 gasoline 6.4L specifies no more than 8,000 miles, 12 months or 350 engine hours.
Is disabling MDS necessary to protect a 6.4L HEMI?
There is no public factory evidence that disabling MDS universally prevents lifter failure. MDS availability varies by engine configuration, and an aftermarket delete is not a guaranteed reliability fix.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: The 6.4L HEMI is usually a reliable high-performance engine when its oil level, service schedule and operating conditions are managed correctly. Its main expensive weakness is possible lifter-and-camshaft damage, but not every engine develops it and not every tick signals that failure. Buy the specific vehicle—not just the 6.4-liter displacement—by checking its configuration, maintenance history, cold-start behavior, diagnostic codes and modification history.
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