5.7 Hemi head gasket replacement cost
The 5.7 Hemi is not a notorious failure engine. Most repairs trace back to overheating events from failed thermostats or water pumps. $2,800 to $4,500 typical. Package the MDS inspection if mileage is over 100k.
Quick answer
$2,800 to $4,500 at an independent. Higher with packaged MDS work.
The 5.7 Hemi has been in production since 2003 across Ram trucks, Charger, Challenger, 300, Durango, Grand Cherokee, and several other Stellantis (formerly FCA) platforms. The engine is widely considered one of the more durable modern V8s, with a head gasket failure rate well below the 5.4 Triton 3V or the 6.0 Powerstroke and roughly comparable to the GM 5.3 LS-series. When the Hemi does blow a head gasket, the root cause is usually an overheating event rather than a design flaw: a stuck thermostat, a failed water pump, or a clogged radiator that the owner did not catch in time.
The cost lands in a relatively narrow range compared to other large V8 engines because the repair is well-understood and a wide population of independent shops have done dozens. Labor is typically 12 to 18 hours, parts run $300 to $700 for the gasket set, and the head bolts are torque-to-yield single-use ($80 to $150). Machine shop work on the two cylinder heads runs $300 to $700. The Hemi is one of the easier modern V8 head gasket jobs to price predictably.
By chassis
What you pay by vehicle
| Vehicle | Engine | Repair cost | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 (2003-2008, 3rd gen) | 5.7 Hemi (Eagle) | $2,500 - $3,800 | Earlier Hemi. No MDS. Simpler job. |
| Ram 1500 (2009-2018, 4th gen) | 5.7 Hemi (Eagle, MDS) | $2,800 - $4,300 | MDS lifter failure often present. Package the inspection. |
| Ram 1500 (2019+, DT) | 5.7 Hemi eTorque | $3,200 - $4,800 | Mild hybrid system adds complexity. Belt-driven motor-generator unit. |
| Dodge Charger / Challenger R/T | 5.7 Hemi | $2,800 - $4,200 | Coupe / sedan layout. Better access than the truck. |
| Chrysler 300C | 5.7 Hemi | $2,800 - $4,200 | Same as Charger. Common in fleet and police trim. |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee (2005+) | 5.7 Hemi | $3,000 - $4,500 | Tighter engine bay than the Ram. Add 1-2 hours of labor. |
| Dodge Durango (2004-2009, 2011+) | 5.7 Hemi | $2,800 - $4,400 | Roughly mid-range complexity. |
| Ram 2500 / 3500 (gas) | 5.7 Hemi (and 6.4 Hemi) | $3,000 - $4,800 | Heavier truck, similar engine layout to 1500. |
2026 US independent-shop pricing. Dealer +25-35%. See cost by state for regional adjustments.
The MDS question
What to do about the Hemi tick while you are in there
The Multi-Displacement System added to the 2009 and later 5.7 Hemi shuts down cylinders 1, 4, 6, and 7 under light load to save fuel. The MDS uses special hydraulic lifters that can collapse and cause a top-end tick. By 100,000 miles, many Hemis exhibit some form of MDS-related noise. While the heads are off for a head gasket repair, the lifter inspection is straightforward and the cost to replace all sixteen lifters runs $600 to $1,500 in parts.
Three paths exist. First, replace lifters with OEM MDS-compatible units and keep the system. Second, replace with non-MDS lifters and run an MDS delete tune (eliminates the failure point, may add 1 to 2 MPG penalty, may throw codes if done incorrectly). Third, leave the lifters alone and re-evaluate after the HG repair. The right call depends on mileage, intended ownership duration, and whether the truck is under powertrain warranty.
At under 80,000 miles with no audible tick, skip the lifter work. At 80,000 to 130,000 miles with no tick, inspect during teardown and replace only if visibly worn. Over 130,000 miles, replace all sixteen as preventative maintenance because you have already paid most of the access labor.
Root causes
What kills 5.7 Hemi head gaskets
The Hemi has a relatively small radiator for its displacement. A failed thermostat, a clogged radiator, or a low coolant level lets the engine spike past 240F, and the heads warp upward in fractions of an inch. The gasket fails second, the head warp is the first damage.
The plastic-impeller water pump on 2009 and later Hemis is a known wear item. Failure mode is gradual loss of flow rather than sudden seizure, which masks the symptom until coolant temperature is already too high.
A thermostat stuck closed is the single most common precursor to a Hemi head gasket failure. Cost to replace at the first sign: $150 to $300. Cost to replace after the resulting HG failure: $3,500.
Higher-mileage Hemis develop oil consumption (a separate issue tied to PCV and ring-pack wear). Towing with low oil cooks the heads further. Check oil every fillup if you are towing.
Preventing the next one
How to keep your Hemi out of the bay for another 100,000 miles
Three preventative jobs cost a combined $400 to $900 and dramatically extend the time before the next head gasket repair becomes necessary. Replace the thermostat every 60,000 miles or at any sign of slow warm-up or sudden hot running. Replace the water pump preventatively at 90,000 to 110,000 miles, especially on 2009 and later trucks. Flush the cooling system every 30,000 miles with the OEM HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) coolant.
Skipping the coolant flush is the single biggest mistake Hemi owners make. The OEM HOAT coolant degrades over time and stops protecting against the aluminum corrosion that creates leaks and clogs. Cost of a flush: $100 to $200. Cost of replacing a corroded radiator, water pump, and thermostat after a neglected cooling system: $700 to $1,500. Cost of the head gasket job that follows the resulting overheating event: $3,500.
See causes and prevention for the full preventative-maintenance argument, and the cross-portfolio coolant flush cost page for the standalone service pricing.
Frequently asked
Common 5.7 Hemi head gasket questions
What is the Hemi tick and is it related to head gaskets?+
The Hemi tick is a top-end ticking noise originating from worn lifters, specifically the MDS (Multi-Displacement System) hydraulic lifters introduced on the 2009 and later 5.7. It is not directly a head gasket issue. However, severe MDS failure can drop debris into the oil and cause secondary damage, and the inspection access is very similar to a head gasket job. If your Hemi has both a tick and a coolant loss, expect a packaged repair that includes lifters ($600 to $1,500 in parts) on top of the head gasket work.
Is the 5.7 Hemi prone to head gasket failure?+
Less prone than the 5.4 Triton 3V or the 6.0 Powerstroke, but not as bullet-proof as the LS-series GM V8s. The most common failure mode is overheating-induced rather than design-flaw. Stuck thermostats, failed water pumps, and clogged radiators all cause overheating events that lift the heads. Catch overheating early and the Hemi will run past 200,000 miles without HG issues.
Should I delete MDS while the engine is apart?+
An MDS delete (non-MDS lifters, MDS-delete tune, mostly removes the MDS system entirely) is popular among performance and reliability-focused owners. Cost is $400 to $900 in parts plus tuning. Done correctly, it eliminates the most common Hemi failure point. Done badly, it throws cylinder-misfire and emissions codes. Worth considering on out-of-warranty trucks; skip on warranty-covered ones.
Will an independent shop do as good a job as a Mopar dealer?+
Yes for most 5.7 Hemi work. The engine has been in production since 2003 and is well-understood by any competent V8-fluent mechanic. The dealer is preferable when the truck is under powertrain warranty (5yr / 60k or 7yr / 70k on certain Ram trims), when an active TSB or recall is in play, or when a software flash is part of the fix. Otherwise an independent will save 25 to 35% with comparable quality.
How does the Hemi compare to the 3.6 Pentastar V6 on cost?+
The Pentastar V6 is roughly $300 to $700 cheaper because labor hours are similar but the V6 has known left-bank-only failure (TSB 13S07) which Chrysler partially funded. The V8 Hemi is a more substantial repair when it goes; the V6 is a smaller per-bank repair with often-discounted parts. If you are choosing between two trucks at purchase and head gasket cost is a tiebreaker, the V6 is slightly cheaper to repair but the V8 generally runs longer between major repairs.
Continue reading
Related cost pages
Cross-portfolio: coolant flush cost (the cheapest insurance against the next HG repair).