2018 Dynamax Isata Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 Dynamax Isata, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes233.3%
- Airbags116.7%
- Driver assistance116.7%
- Electrical116.7%
- Seat belts116.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS light and warning bell on and sounding. Traction control light also on. Diagnostic shows error code c0020-01, ABS pump motor electrical failure. A canvass of every Dodge/Chrysler part supplier and all other possible parts suppliers including junk yards in the US and Canada revealed “no part (ABS Hydraulic Unit, 6834. 7099 AC) is available anywhere in the US or Canada. I was advised that it would be unsafe to drive the vehicle. I am stuck 2400 miles from my home with no solutions from anyone including Dynamax and Chrysler.
WE PURCHASED THIS MOTORHOME ON 8/12/19. THE LEVELING SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING SO UPON CRAWLING UNDERNEATH TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS LEAKING WE DISCOVERED A COUPLING IN THE MODIFIED BRAKE LINE LEAKING. WE CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND HALF WAS GONE. WE CONTACTED DYNAMAX WHO CLAIMED IT WAS CHRYSLERS RESPONSIBILITY. WE TOOK IT TO CHRYSLER AND THEY INFORMED US IT WAS MODIFIED AND NOT THEY'RE RESPONSIBILITY. WE THEN FOUND A STICKER THAT SAID IT HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY MOR/RYDE. WE CALLED THEM AND THEY DID NOT KNOW. WE AGAIN CALLED DYNAMAX AGAIN AFTER 3 DAYS OF RUN AROUND AND THEY FINALLY CALLED MOR/RYDE TO CONFIRM THAT THEY HAD MODIFIED THE BRAKE LINES. OUR BRAND NEW MOTORHOME IS SITTING AT THE CHRYSLER DEALER WHO AT THIS POINT IS REFUSING TO DO ANY FURTHER WORK ON IT DUE TO THE MODIFICATION. WHAT DO WE DO NOW? THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN WE FOUND THE LEAK BUT WE HAD JUST DRIVEN IT OVER 300 MILES TO GET HOME. THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY MOR/RYDE EXTENDING THE BRAKE LINE USING A COUPLING WHICH IT WHERE THE VERY BAD LEAK IS.*DT*DT *AS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE IS A 2018 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER-BASED 24 FT MOTORHOME. IT WAS STATIONARY WITH ENGINE OFF. WHEN ROTATING THE DRIVER'S SWIVEL SEAT 180 DEGREES (WHICH IT IS DESIGNED TO DO), UNDERSEAT WIRING WAS SEVERED DUE TO IMPROPER WIRE ROUTING BY THE "UPFITTER" (DYNAMAX CORP), THUS CAUSING AN INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING OF "SRS FAULT; PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TO REPAIR FACILITY". THIS ANALYSIS WAS MADE BY MERCEDES BENZ OF KANSAS CITY SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE A REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. MERCEDES BENZ REFUSED COVERAGE UNDER THE CHASSIS WARRANTY SO I PAID THE REPAIR COST OUT OF POCKET ($388.90). I SUBSEQUENTLY WROTE A LETTER TO DYNAMAX REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. SEE ATTACHED PDF INCLUDING MB SERVICE INVOICE AND PAYMENT RECEIPT. I RECEIVED NO RESPONSE FROM DYNAMAX FOR TWO MONTHS. UPON FOLLOWING UP WITH DYNAMAX BY PHONE ON 7/8/2019, I WAS TOLD THE REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST WAS DENIED BECAUSE I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. REGARDLESS OF THEIR WARRANTY POLICY, I BELIEVE AN INOPERATIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT CONSTITUTES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, THE REPAIR COST OF WHICH SHOULD BE BORNE BY THE MANUFACTURER, NOT THE CONSUMER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The ABS (anti lock braking system) module failed resulting in ongoing beeping with display warning to service the system, and intermittent failure of other electrical features. A local mechanic diagnosed the problem and recommended replacement of the module. The Dynamax RV is a coach built on a Ram 5500 chassis. I was able to obtain a new replacement ABS module, but then learned that it had to be installed and "flashed" (programmed) by a dealer. I contacted Dynamax (now owned by Forest River), but have not received a reply. I then contacted the five nearest Ram dealers in my area. All of them told me that they could not help me because my vehicle is too big for their shop. I don't know if this problem affects my braking , but it appears that I am stuck with no solution. I hope you can help me. Any help would be appreciated.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The ABS (anti lock braking system) module failed resulting in ongoing beeping with display warning to service the system, and intermittent failure of other electrical features. A local mechanic diagnosed the problem and recommended replacement of the module. The Dynamax RV is a coach built on a Ram 5500 chassis. I was able to obtain a new replacement ABS module, but then learned that it had to be installed and "flashed" (programmed) by a dealer. I contacted Dynamax (now owned by Forest River), but have not received a reply. I then contacted the five nearest Ram dealers in my area. All of them told me that they could not help me because my vehicle is too big for their shop. I don't know if this problem affects my braking , but it appears that I am stuck with no solution. I hope you can help me. Any help would be appreciated.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE IS A 2018 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER-BASED 24 FT MOTORHOME. IT WAS STATIONARY WITH ENGINE OFF. WHEN ROTATING THE DRIVER'S SWIVEL SEAT 180 DEGREES (WHICH IT IS DESIGNED TO DO), UNDERSEAT WIRING WAS SEVERED DUE TO IMPROPER WIRE ROUTING BY THE "UPFITTER" (DYNAMAX CORP), THUS CAUSING AN INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING OF "SRS FAULT; PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TO REPAIR FACILITY". THIS ANALYSIS WAS MADE BY MERCEDES BENZ OF KANSAS CITY SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE A REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. MERCEDES BENZ REFUSED COVERAGE UNDER THE CHASSIS WARRANTY SO I PAID THE REPAIR COST OUT OF POCKET ($388.90). I SUBSEQUENTLY WROTE A LETTER TO DYNAMAX REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. SEE ATTACHED PDF INCLUDING MB SERVICE INVOICE AND PAYMENT RECEIPT. I RECEIVED NO RESPONSE FROM DYNAMAX FOR TWO MONTHS. UPON FOLLOWING UP WITH DYNAMAX BY PHONE ON 7/8/2019, I WAS TOLD THE REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST WAS DENIED BECAUSE I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. REGARDLESS OF THEIR WARRANTY POLICY, I BELIEVE AN INOPERATIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT CONSTITUTES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, THE REPAIR COST OF WHICH SHOULD BE BORNE BY THE MANUFACTURER, NOT THE CONSUMER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .