FMCSR 393.104D: Damaged Cargo Securement — Q&A

Yes—there's a 72.2% chance your truck will be placed out of service on a 393.104D citation. Across our inspection records, 197 out of 273 trucks cited for damaged tiedowns or cargo securement devices were immediately taken off the road. That's significantly higher than the 31.4% average out-of-service rate across all FMCSR codes. This violation is treated as a critical safety issue at roadside.

A 393.104D citation carries a severity weight of 6 points. That weight gets multiplied by the number of violations found in a 30-day window—so if the inspector noted multiple failed tiedowns on the same truck, your point total could climb quickly. CSA points accumulate across a rolling 12-month period, and high scores in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC can trigger carrier audits and increased scrutiny at future inspections.

First: Do not move the truck if it's marked out of service—you'll face additional violations and fines. Second: Document the damage in photos before repair. Third: Inspect all remaining tiedowns, straps, chains, and securement hardware on your vehicle; our data shows that 393.104D citations often co-occur with lamp defects (18 shared inspections in the last 90 days) and coupling/towing defects (8 shared inspections), so a full pre-trip inspection is critical. Fourth: Arrange repair immediately and request an out-of-service release inspection once tiedowns are replaced or repaired.

Yes. The 72.2% out-of-service rate for 393.104D is much higher than most peer codes in Vehicle Maintenance. For comparison, inoperable lamps (393.9) have a 6.9% OOS rate, windshield defects (393.78) are 0.3%, and slack adjuster defects (393.47E) are 0.0%. Damaged tiedowns are treated as an immediate safety hazard because cargo can shift or fall during transport, creating road hazards. Inspectors are trained to place trucks out of service on this violation.

Yes, you can file a Request for Data Review (RDR) through FMCSA's DataQs system within 90 days of the violation. RDR works best when the citation contains a documentation error (wrong carrier, wrong DOT number, or incorrect violation code). If the inspector correctly identified damaged, defective, or non-functional tiedowns, the citation will likely stand—this is an equipment condition, not a paperwork issue. Consult your motor carrier's safety director or a compliance professional to assess whether your specific cite has grounds for RDR.

In the last 180 days, Texas dominates with 75 citations (80.0% placed out of service), followed by New Mexico with 3 citations (0.0% OOS rate) and Illinois with 1 citation (100% OOS rate). Texas accounts for the vast majority of roadside enforcement activity for this violation. If you operate in Texas, prioritize a robust pre-trip inspection routine for all cargo securement hardware, as inspectors there are citing this violation at high frequency.

Very urgent. Our inspection records show 169 citations for 393.104D in the last 12 months, with a 72.2% out-of-service rate, meaning this is an active enforcement focus. More telling: in March 2026 alone, 22 citations were issued (18 resulting in out-of-service orders). Damaged tiedowns are a hazard that can worsen quickly under load vibration and road stress. Do not delay repair—fix any cracked, bent, rusted, or loose tiedown hardware before your next trip, and maintain detailed records of the repair.

The citation is recorded against the carrier's FMCSA Safety Profile. As a driver, it may appear in your personal record if you were operating the vehicle, but the compliance obligation and CSA BASIC score impact fall on the motor carrier. That said, safety-conscious carriers may review driver inspection history when making hire or retention decisions. The key for you is to report equipment defects immediately and refuse to operate unsafe equipment—this protects both you and the carrier from escalating violations.