What 393.116 means in plain language
FMCSR 393.116 requires that intermodal containers be properly secured to the chassis or platform they're mounted on. This isn't about the cargo inside the container—it's about making sure the container itself cannot shift, tip, or separate from the vehicle during transit.
When an inspector examines your rig, they're checking that all tie-down points, locking mechanisms, and securing devices are in place and functioning. A container that's loose, has missing or damaged locking hardware, or isn't seated correctly on the chassis will trigger a citation under this code.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Our inspection records show that 393.116 carries an exceptionally high out-of-service rate. Across our database of 13 million+ roadside inspections, this code has been cited 1,689 times all-time, with 1,646 of those citations resulting in out-of-service (OOS) placement—a 97.5% OOS rate. For context, the average FMCSR code produces an OOS rate of 31.4%, meaning 393.116 violations are nearly three times more likely to ground a vehicle.
In the last 12 months, we've recorded 127 citations for this code. Over the past 90 days, the frequency was 21 citations. The data shows a spike during mid-2025, peaking at 20 citations in July 2025, with a general decline through early 2026.
This code ranks #573 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, placing it in the lower-frequency range. However, its near-universal OOS rate means every citation is a serious enforcement action.
Who gets cited most
Across the last 180 days, Texas leads by a significant margin with 38 citations, all resulting in OOS placement (100.0% rate). North Carolina follows with 10 citations, also at a 100.0% OOS rate. Illinois has recorded 3 citations with a 33.3% OOS rate, and Iowa has 2 citations both out of service.
When we examine all-time carrier data, our records show fleets such as J B HUNT TRANSPORT INC with 13 citations for this violation, followed by SIERRA PACIFIC INDUSTRIES and CHRIS LANGLEY TIMBER & MANAGEMENT INC, each with 10 citations. This pattern reflects that larger, high-volume carriers and those in the forest products sector encounter more roadside inspections overall, not necessarily higher violation rates.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
393.116 sits in the Vehicle Maintenance category alongside codes like 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp), which has generated 180,097 citations with a 6.9% OOS rate—demonstrating that most vehicle defects don't automatically pull a truck off the road. In stark contrast, 396.3(a)(1) (Inspection/Repair/Maintenance General) has 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate.
What makes 393.116 unique is that unsecured intermodal containers represent an immediate cargo loss or accident hazard. Inspectors treat it as a safety-critical defect rather than a maintenance issue that can be repaired on location. The 97.5% OOS rate reflects that severity classification.
How to avoid it
Pre-trip inspection fundamentals:
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Walk the container perimeter before departure. Check all four corners and both sides where the container locks onto the chassis. Look for visible gaps, cracks in locking hardware, or any sign that the container has shifted relative to the frame.
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Verify all locking pins and twist-locks are engaged and seated. Missing, bent, or partially inserted locking hardware is the most common citation trigger. Manually test that each lock cannot be removed by hand and that it's fully rotated or seated into the locked position.
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Inspect the chassis receiving points. Corrosion, cracks, or damage to the corner castings where the container locks will cause the container to sit unevenly. Report damage immediately rather than loading an unstable container.
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Check for missing or damaged wear pads and gaskets. These components prevent metal-to-metal contact and help distribute the container's weight evenly. Over time they wear and must be replaced before they fail completely.
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Perform a function test before pulling load. Rock the container side-to-side and front-to-back with light hand pressure. Any movement or clunking sound indicates a loose lock or damaged chassis.
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Cross-reference with routine vehicle inspections. Our data shows that 396.17C (No Proof of Periodic Inspection) appears in 9 of the last 90 days' 393.116 inspections. Ensure your vehicle's periodic maintenance record is current and documented—inspectors often cite containers during broader safety audits.
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Don't assume the driver before you secured it correctly. Each driver is responsible for verifying securement at the start of their shift. What was fine at the end of a previous leg may have shifted in transit or during yard movement.
Intermodal securement violations are not judgment calls. They are pass-or-fail, and the enforcement data makes clear that FMCSR inspectors apply zero tolerance because unsecured containers are safety emergencies.