NHTSA Complaint #10495009 — 2010 RAM 3500

VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A HISSING NOISE IN THE AREA UNDER THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WHILE THE ENGINE SPEED WAS MAINTAINED ABOVE 1500 THERE ARE NO NOTICED DRIVABILITY ISSUES. WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED OR THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED THE HISSING CEASED. HISSING INDEPENDENT OF ENGINE SPEED. WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAILED WHILE ENTERING A TURN. TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT I WAS SURPRISINGLY REQUIRED TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE STOMPING THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE IS A SMALL PLASTIC INSERT IN THE HYDRO ASSIST HOSE THAT BREAKS LOOSE AND THEN MOVES ALONG THE HOSE UNTIL IT GETS PRESSED INTO A 90 DEGREE ANGLE CUTTING OFF OR REDUCING THE FLUID FLOW. *TR