2019 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 2019 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
- Brakes225.0%
- Electrical225.0%
- Powertrain (other)225.0%
- Fuel system112.5%
- Other / unspecified112.5%
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
RAM recall #C4B, affecting ABS and Electronic Braking. Recall in effect, but no parts available for fix. This recall has been in effect for a few years. This vehicle is a 20000 lb motorhome, and my family's safety is being compromised by RAM dragging their feet and delaying the supply of replacement parts. I've contacted two RAM dealers and RAM Customer Service to no avail.
THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE FOR COACH BATTERIES FELL ON TO THE DRIVE LINE AND STARTED A FIRE WHICH MELTED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE UNDER THE COACH. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT VERY QUICKLY AT THE SHOP WHERE THEY WERE GOING TO HOOK UP A TOW BAR ON THIS NEW RV. (THEY HAD FULLY PREPARED THE TOW VEHICLE AND THIS WAS TO BE THE FINAL STEP) IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN THE INCIDENT BEGAN TO OCCUR BUT THE FIRE MOST LIKELY STARTED AS THE RV WAS BEING DRIVEN FROM OUR HOME IN MEADOW VISTA CA TO ONE STOP TRUCK SHOP IN SACRAMENTO CA. THE FIRE STARTED A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE RV WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AND MY SON HAD LEFT THE SCENE. A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROPANE AND DIESEL FUEL EXPLOSION WAS AVOIDED BY THE QUICK AND DECISIVE ACTIONS OF THE OWNERS OF ONE STOP TRUCK SHOP. THE FOLKS WHO SOLD US THE RV MENTIONED WE'D PROBABLY LEFT THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING ... WHICH WAS UNTRUE AND COULD LEAD TO FURTHER DENIAL OF A MAJOR ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY TO THE OCCUPANTS AND ANYONE WITHIN THE DISTANCE OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A PROPANE AND DIESEL FUEL EXPLOSION. TO THIS POINT, EVEN THOUGH CLEARLY A WARRANTY ISSUE, BOTH FOREST RIVER AND DIMARTINI RV THEY HAVE MADE NO ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD THE COACH AT THEIR SHOP FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THEY DEMANDED WE TURN OVER TO INSURANCE EVEN THOUGH THE COACH IS UNDER WARRANTY. EVENTUALLY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE COACH TO MERCEDES BENZ OF ROCKLIN CA WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY DEADLY ISSUE.
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 POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE FOR COACH BATTERIES FELL ON TO THE DRIVE LINE AND STARTED A FIRE WHICH MELTED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE UNDER THE COACH. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT VERY QUICKLY AT THE SHOP WHERE THEY WERE GOING TO HOOK UP A TOW BAR ON THIS NEW RV. (THEY HAD FULLY PREPARED THE TOW VEHICLE AND THIS WAS TO BE THE FINAL STEP) IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN THE INCIDENT BEGAN TO OCCUR BUT THE FIRE MOST LIKELY STARTED AS THE RV WAS BEING DRIVEN FROM OUR HOME IN MEADOW VISTA CA TO ONE STOP TRUCK SHOP IN SACRAMENTO CA. THE FIRE STARTED A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE RV WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AND MY SON HAD LEFT THE SCENE. A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROPANE AND DIESEL FUEL EXPLOSION WAS AVOIDED BY THE QUICK AND DECISIVE ACTIONS OF THE OWNERS OF ONE STOP TRUCK SHOP. THE FOLKS WHO SOLD US THE RV MENTIONED WE'D PROBABLY LEFT THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING ... WHICH WAS UNTRUE AND COULD LEAD TO FURTHER DENIAL OF A MAJOR ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY TO THE OCCUPANTS AND ANYONE WITHIN THE DISTANCE OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A PROPANE AND DIESEL FUEL EXPLOSION. TO THIS POINT, EVEN THOUGH CLEARLY A WARRANTY ISSUE, BOTH FOREST RIVER AND DIMARTINI RV THEY HAVE MADE NO ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD THE COACH AT THEIR SHOP FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THEY DEMANDED WE TURN OVER TO INSURANCE EVEN THOUGH THE COACH IS UNDER WARRANTY. EVENTUALLY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE COACH TO MERCEDES BENZ OF ROCKLIN CA WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY DEADLY ISSUE.
NHTSA RECALL: 19V902 DYNAMAX - FOREST RIVER AND DEALER NETWORK ARE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO SCHEDULE A TIMELY APPOINTMENT TO ADDRESS THE ABOVE REFERENCED RECALL. DEALS DO NOT WANT TO SCHEDULE THE WORK PROMPTLY BECAUSE WE DID NOT PURCHASE THE UNIT FROM THEM. FOREST RIVER INDICATES THEY CAN NOT MODIFY A DEALERS SCHEDULE. NUMEROUS CALLS AND EMAILS TO FOREST RIVER WARRANTY AND CORPORATE COMPLIANCE OFFICE TO RESOLVE. NO LUCK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Traveling on a busy interstate, traffic limited to one lane because of construction. Traffic stopped, instructed by law enforcement to turn off vehicle to wait. Shortly after, traffic started moving but our vehicle would not start. After stopping traffic for about 15 minutes the vehicle finally started. Incident repeated at a gas station, stopped for gas, filled up, when complete would not start, once again after 15 minute wait it started. Dealer unable to get the problem to repeat. Onboard diagnostic computers didn't record the fault. Mercedes Benz corporate will not do anything to assist getting the issue fixed until repeated by the dealer. Researched online and found video of someone else with exact problem and solution. Many comments of others with same issue. We have owned this vehicle for about 500 of its 10000 miles.
THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE FOR COACH BATTERIES FELL ON TO THE DRIVE LINE AND STARTED A FIRE WHICH MELTED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE UNDER THE COACH. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT VERY QUICKLY AT THE SHOP WHERE THEY WERE GOING TO HOOK UP A TOW BAR ON THIS NEW RV. (THEY HAD FULLY PREPARED THE TOW VEHICLE AND THIS WAS TO BE THE FINAL STEP) IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN THE INCIDENT BEGAN TO OCCUR BUT THE FIRE MOST LIKELY STARTED AS THE RV WAS BEING DRIVEN FROM OUR HOME IN MEADOW VISTA CA TO ONE STOP TRUCK SHOP IN SACRAMENTO CA. THE FIRE STARTED A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE RV WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AND MY SON HAD LEFT THE SCENE. A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROPANE AND DIESEL FUEL EXPLOSION WAS AVOIDED BY THE QUICK AND DECISIVE ACTIONS OF THE OWNERS OF ONE STOP TRUCK SHOP. THE FOLKS WHO SOLD US THE RV MENTIONED WE'D PROBABLY LEFT THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING ... WHICH WAS UNTRUE AND COULD LEAD TO FURTHER DENIAL OF A MAJOR ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY TO THE OCCUPANTS AND ANYONE WITHIN THE DISTANCE OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A PROPANE AND DIESEL FUEL EXPLOSION. TO THIS POINT, EVEN THOUGH CLEARLY A WARRANTY ISSUE, BOTH FOREST RIVER AND DIMARTINI RV THEY HAVE MADE NO ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD THE COACH AT THEIR SHOP FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THEY DEMANDED WE TURN OVER TO INSURANCE EVEN THOUGH THE COACH IS UNDER WARRANTY. EVENTUALLY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE COACH TO MERCEDES BENZ OF ROCKLIN CA WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY DEADLY ISSUE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Traveling on a busy interstate, traffic limited to one lane because of construction. Traffic stopped, instructed by law enforcement to turn off vehicle to wait. Shortly after, traffic started moving but our vehicle would not start. After stopping traffic for about 15 minutes the vehicle finally started. Incident repeated at a gas station, stopped for gas, filled up, when complete would not start, once again after 15 minute wait it started. Dealer unable to get the problem to repeat. Onboard diagnostic computers didn't record the fault. Mercedes Benz corporate will not do anything to assist getting the issue fixed until repeated by the dealer. Researched online and found video of someone else with exact problem and solution. Many comments of others with same issue. We have owned this vehicle for about 500 of its 10000 miles.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD 2 FRONT WHEEL SIMULATORS SEPARATE FROM THE WHEELS WHILE OPERATING SAID VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PRIOR TO EACH TRIP I PERSONALLY INSPECTED THE WHEEL SIMULATORS FOR PROPER ATTACHMENT AND SECURITY. MY CONCERN IS THE HAZARD THESE FAILURES TO OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL AS THE EXPENSE OF REPLACEMENT. DEALER SHIP PARTS CLERK STATES ( OFF THE RECORD) THAT THEY SELL APPROXIMATELY 50 OF THESE WHEEL SIMULATORS PER YEAR.
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 .