P0305 on 2011-2024 Dodge Durango 5.7L Hemi: Cylinder 5 Misfire Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2011-2024 Dodge Durango

While ignition component failure is a common cause for any vehicle, the 5.7L Hemi V8 in this Durango has a well-documented history of valvetrain issues, specifically with the lifters and camshaft. This issue, often called the 'Hemi Tick,' can lead to a persistent P0305 code that won't be solved by a simple tune-up. The problem is often linked to the Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which deactivates cylinders to save fuel, but can lead to oiling problems and premature wear on lifters. A lack of sufficient oil flow, especially during extended idling, can cause the lifter's roller bearings to fail, which then grinds down the corresponding lobe on the camshaft, preventing the valve from opening fully and causing a misfire.

Generation note: The 2011-2024 model years all belong to the third generation (WD) of the Dodge Durango. While there have been minor updates to the 5.7L Hemi engine and its electronics over this period, the fundamental design and its common issues, including the potential for lifter and camshaft failure, remain consistent across this entire year range.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light is on (may be solid or flashing)
• Rough idle or engine vibrations
• Engine hesitation or stumbling during acceleration
• Reduced engine power
• Audible ticking or tapping noise from the engine (the 'Hemi Tick'), which may get faster with RPM.
• Decreased fuel economy
• Fuel smell from the exhaust

Most Likely Causes

1. Worn or Faulty Spark Plugs 🔴 High Probability The 5.7L Hemi uses two spark plugs per cylinder (16 total), increasing the chance of a single plug failing. The recommended OEM replacement is often a copper plug like the NGK SPLZFR5C11, which has a shorter service life than iridium or platinum plugs.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the spark plugs for cylinder 5. Look for wear, fouling (black, oily, or white deposits), or damage to the electrode.
   Typical fix: Replace the spark plugs. It is recommended to replace all 16 spark plugs at the same time for consistent performance. Using the correct torque is critical.
   Est. part cost: $50-$150 for a full set of 16 plugs.
2. Faulty Ignition Coil 🔴 High Probability
   How to confirm: Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 5 with another cylinder (e.g., cylinder 3). Clear the codes and drive the vehicle. If the misfire code changes to P0303, the coil is bad. Cylinder 5 is the third cylinder back on the driver's side.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty ignition coil.
   Est. part cost: $30-$75
3. Failed Lifter and/or Worn Camshaft 🟡 Medium Probability This is a widely known issue with the 5.7L Hemi, often called the 'Hemi Tick'. It can be caused by issues with the MDS system, oil starvation from extended idling, or using incorrect oil viscosity. The failed lifter's roller can seize, grinding down the corresponding lobe on the camshaft. This is a common topic in owner forums.
   How to confirm: Listen for a persistent ticking noise. A definitive diagnosis involves removing the driver's side valve cover and observing the rocker arm movement for cylinder 5 while the engine is cranked. Reduced movement compared to other cylinders indicates a collapsed lifter and likely cam lobe damage.
   Typical fix: This is a major repair that involves replacing the camshaft, all 16 lifters (both MDS and standard), and associated gaskets and seals. Many owners and shops opt to install an MDS-delete kit at this time, which includes a non-MDS camshaft and 16 standard lifters.
   Est. part cost: $500-$1500+ for a complete kit.
4. Clogged or Faulty Fuel Injector ⚪ Low Probability
   How to confirm: Use a 'noid light' to verify the injector is receiving an electrical pulse from the ECM. You can also swap the injector with another cylinder, but this is more labor-intensive than swapping a coil. An accompanying P0205 code (Injector Circuit/Open) strongly points to an injector or wiring issue.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty fuel injector.
   Est. part cost: $50-$120

Rare But Worth Checking

• Low Engine Compression: If ignition and fuel systems check out, a compression test is the next step. Low compression could be due to a bad head gasket, worn piston rings, or a damaged valve or valve seat, which can result from long-term lifter/cam failure or overheating.
• Broken Exhaust Manifold Bolts: The 5.7L Hemi is also known for exhaust manifold bolts breaking, especially the rear ones. This typically causes an exhaust leak tick that is loudest on a cold start and may quiet down as the engine warms up. While it can sometimes affect sensor readings, it's more often misdiagnosed as the 'Hemi Tick'. TSB 09-011-22 addresses this issue.
• Intake Manifold Gasket Leak: A vacuum leak from a failed intake manifold gasket near the cylinder 5 runner can lean out the air-fuel mixture enough to cause a misfire. This would typically be accompanied by a hissing sound and possibly other lean codes.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Scan the vehicle for the P0305 code and any other stored codes, like P0300 or P0205.
2. Listen for an audible ticking noise from the engine. Note if it's louder when cold (suggesting an exhaust leak) or constant (suggesting valvetrain issues).
3. Identify cylinder 5. On the 5.7L Hemi, the driver's side bank is odd-numbered (1-3-5-7) from front to back. Cylinder 5 is the third one back on the driver's side.
4. Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 5 with another cylinder (e.g., cylinder 3). Clear the codes and test drive. If the code changes to P0303, the ignition coil is faulty.
5. If the misfire remains on cylinder 5, remove and inspect the two spark plugs for that cylinder. Look for signs of wear, fouling, or damage. Replace if necessary.
6. If plugs and coil are good, check the fuel injector. Use a noid light to confirm it's getting a signal. Check for a related P0205 code.
7. If ignition and fuel are confirmed good, the next step is a strong indicator of mechanical failure. Remove the driver's side valve cover. Have an assistant crank the engine and visually inspect the rocker arms for cylinder 5. If they are moving significantly less than the others, you have confirmed a collapsed lifter and/or wiped camshaft lobe.
8. If valvetrain movement appears normal, perform a compression test on cylinder 5. Compare the reading to other cylinders. A significant drop indicates a problem with rings, valves, or head gasket.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Ignition Coil (OEM #56029129AF) — A very common failure point for misfires. It's easy to diagnose by swapping with another cylinder.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, NGK, Denso
  OEM price range: $50-$80
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$60
• Spark Plugs (Set of 16) (OEM #SPLZFR5C11 (NGK)) — Worn spark plugs are a primary cause of weak spark and misfires. The Hemi requires 16, and they should be replaced as a set.
  Trusted brands: NGK, Champion
  OEM price range: $120-$200
  Aftermarket price range: $50-$150
• Camshaft and Lifter Kit (OEM #53022263AF (Camshaft), 5038784AD (Non-MDS Lifters)) — This is the ultimate fix for the 'Hemi Tick' mechanical failure. The kit should include a new camshaft, a full set of 16 lifters, and necessary gaskets. Many choose a non-MDS conversion kit.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, Melling, Enginetech, Cam Motion
  OEM price range: $800-$1500+
  Aftermarket price range: $500-$1200

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0300 — If the misfire is intermittent or affects other cylinders, a P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire) code may also be stored. This can happen if the camshaft has damage on multiple lobes.
• P0301, P0303, P0307 — If the camshaft failure is severe, you may see misfire codes for other cylinders on the same bank (driver's side is 1-3-5-7).
• P0205 — This code for 'Cylinder 5 Injector Circuit/Open' points specifically to a problem with the fuel injector for cylinder 5 or its wiring, rather than a spark or mechanical issue.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 09-011-25: Addresses misfire DTCs, rough idle, and valvetrain noise due to worn intake camshaft lobes and/or rocker arms. While written for the 3.6L, it describes an identical failure pattern.
• 09-011-22: Addresses a ticking noise from the exhaust manifold area on cold starts, caused by leaking exhaust manifolds, which can be confused with lifter tick.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Camshaft/Lifter Failure ('Hemi Tick'): This is the most significant known issue. A failed lifter (often due to a seized roller from oiling issues) destroys the corresponding camshaft lobe, reducing valve lift and causing a misfire that cannot be fixed by ignition or fuel parts alone. TSB #09-011-25, while for a different engine, describes the exact same failure pattern of misfires and valvetrain noise due to worn cam lobes and rockers from a manufacturing issue.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Fuel Injector Resistance — expected: 11.5 - 12.6 ohms. Failure: A reading significantly outside this range, or that differs by more than 0.5-1.0 ohm from the other injectors, indicates a faulty injector.
• Ignition Coil Primary Resistance — expected: ~0.5 ohms. Failure: An open circuit (infinite resistance) or a reading far from the specification of other coils.
• Fuel Pressure (Key On, Engine Off) — expected: 45 - 55 psi. Failure: Pressure that is significantly lower, or that bleeds off quickly, points to a weak fuel pump, a clogged filter, or a leak.
• Long-Term Fuel Trim (LTFT) at Idle — expected: -10% to +10%. Failure: A sustained value above +10% suggests the engine is compensating for a vacuum leak or under-reporting fuel delivery. A value below -10% suggests a rich condition (e.g., leaking injector).
• Injector Control Circuit Resistance — expected: Below 3.0 ohms. Failure: Resistance higher than 3.0 ohms between the PCM connector and the injector connector indicates a wiring problem (open or high resistance).

Hidden / Shadow Codes Worth Checking

• Live Misfire Counters (Mode 6): This is not a separate code, but a function on advanced scan tools that shows a live count of misfire events for each specific cylinder. It allows you to confirm the misfire is actively occurring on cylinder 5 in real-time, even before the full P0305 code is set. (see via Use a scan tool with Mode 6 capability or a live data graphing feature (e.g., wiTECH, Foxwell, Autel, Launch).)

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• wiTECH or other advanced scan tool: Actuate ASD Relay — When testing the power supply to the ignition coils. A diagnostic procedure involves actuating the Auto Shutdown (ASD) relay with the scan tool and then using a test light to confirm voltage is present at the ignition coil's harness connector.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Engine Ground Strap — Typically connects from the engine block (often near a cylinder head or accessory bracket) to the vehicle's chassis/frame rail in the engine bay.. A corroded or loose ground strap can cause erratic electrical behavior, including weak spark, incorrect sensor readings, and intermittent misfires that are difficult to diagnose. Ensuring this connection is clean and tight is a crucial preliminary step.
• PCM C2 Connector — This is one of the main harness connectors at the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The specific location of the PCM varies by year but is typically in the engine bay.. This connector contains the individual control circuit wires for each fuel injector and ignition coil. To definitively test for a wiring fault between the PCM and cylinder 5's components, you would test for continuity and resistance from this connector to the component.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• Ramforumz.com user (2010 Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi) — Flashing engine light under acceleration (P0305), slight RPM surge, and a noticeable 'higher pitch tick at idle' coming from the #5 cylinder area.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replaced spark plugs, Swapped ignition coil with another cylinder, Swapped fuel injector with another cylinder
  ✅ What actually fixed it The user did not post the final repair, but the combination of symptoms (ticking noise) and the failure of ignition/fuel component swaps led other experienced users to diagnose it as a classic camshaft/lifter failure, advising the owner to remove the valve cover to confirm.
• Reddit user r/mechanic (2016 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi) — P0305 code.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replaced the two spark plugs for cylinder 5, Replaced the ignition coil for cylinder 5, Changed oil to check for metal shavings
  ✅ What actually fixed it The issue was not resolved by the original poster, but a responding Chrysler technician stated that the next step is to check the rocker arms for a collapsed lifter, indicating this is the most probable cause after plugs and coils are ruled out.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 53021720AB, 53021720AC, 53021720AD, 53021720AE, 5038686AA, 5038784AA, 5038784AB, 5038784AC → 5038784AD — Design updates for improved durability. The 5038784AD is the current non-MDS 'Hellcat' lifter, which is a common upgrade/replacement for the 5.7L Hemi when performing a cam/lifter job or an MDS delete.
  Heads up: These are non-MDS lifters. If used to replace MDS lifters, the MDS system must be electronically disabled in the PCM to prevent fault codes.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2011-2024: The 5.7L Hemi engine in this generation of Durango is the 'Eagle' version, introduced in 2009. It features Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and significantly better-flowing cylinder heads compared to the pre-2009 5.7L Hemi. This is important because diagnostic information or parts for older Hemis may not be applicable.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Other Known Issues on This Vehicle

Issues unrelated to this code that are worth knowing about as an owner of this generation:

• Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) Failure 🔴 High — Common on models from approximately 2011-2015. Can cause a wide range of random electrical issues.
• Water Pump Failure 🟠 Medium — Water pumps are a frequent failure item, sometimes requiring multiple replacements. Failure can be a leak or an internal impeller failure causing overheating.
• Broken Exhaust Manifold Bolts 🟠 Medium — Very common issue. The bolts, especially those at the rear of the cylinder heads, are prone to breaking due to thermal cycles, causing an exhaust leak 'tick'. (Ref: 09-011-22)
• Uconnect Screen Delamination 🟡 Low — The touchscreen can begin to bubble and delaminate, causing phantom touches and making the system difficult to use. Affects models with the 8.4-inch screen.
• Electronic Shifter Issues 🟠 Medium — Early 3rd-gen models with the electronic rotary or T-handle shifter were subject to recalls and complaints for not properly engaging 'Park', leading to rollaway risk. (Ref: Multiple recalls (e.g., NHTSA 16V-240))

Used vs. New Parts: Buying Guide for This Vehicle

When a used part is the smart pick: For simple electrical components like an ignition coil or fuel injector, a used part from a reputable auto recycler can be a cost-effective way to diagnose the problem by swapping parts. It can also serve as a temporary fix.

Donor-vehicle mileage cap: roughly under 80000 miles for the part to have meaningful remaining life.

What to inspect on the donor part:

• For electrical parts, inspect connectors for corrosion, bent pins, or cracks.
• Check plastic housings for signs of extreme heat damage, melting, or brittleness.
• Ask the recycler about the donor vehicle's history if possible (e.g., collision vs. engine failure).

OEM-only on this vehicle (don't cheap out):

• Camshaft
• Lifters

Aftermarket brands forum-validated for this vehicle:

• Melling (for oil pumps and valvetrain components)
• Enginetech (for engine rebuild kits)
• Cam Motion (for performance camshafts)

Brands owners have reported issues with on this vehicle:

• Unnamed or 'white box' camshaft and lifter kits from online marketplaces are a significant risk due to the high labor cost of the repair. A premature failure of a cheap lifter will require re-doing the entire job.

Real Owner Stories

Aggregated from forums and TSBs cited above. Mileages and costs reflect what owners reported in those sources.

Related OBD-II Codes

• P0300 — Random or Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected; often stored alongside P0305 when the engine timing or MDS system is affected.
• P0303 — Cylinder 3 Misfire; used during diagnosis to confirm a faulty ignition coil if the code moves after swapping coils from cylinder 5.
• P0205 — Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 5; specifically points to an electrical or wiring issue with the fuel injector for the same cylinder.
• P0301 — Cylinder 1 Misfire; another odd-numbered cylinder on the driver's side bank (1-3-5-7) that may share valvetrain or oiling issues.

Frequently Asked Questions