RoadVitals

2019 Dynamax Isata Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest May 19, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
5
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

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.

2
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11661997 · filed May 19, 2025

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 ID 11362526 · filed Oct 3, 2020

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.

2
reports

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 ID 11362526 · filed Oct 3, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID 11342994 · filed Aug 3, 2020

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.

2
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11459629 · filed Apr 4, 2022

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 ID 11362526 · filed Oct 3, 2020

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 11459629 · filed Apr 4, 2022

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 11365163 · filed Oct 19, 2020

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

Data on this page last refreshed .