FMCSR 393.116: Cargo Securement — Intermodal Containers Q&A

Yes—almost certainly. Across our inspection database, 393.116 citations result in an out-of-service placement 97.5% of the time. That's far above the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. In the last 90 days alone, 21 citations were issued and 20 trucks were immediately placed OOS. Unsecured intermodal containers are a safety-critical violation; inspectors treat them as non-negotiable roadside failures.

This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 7, which is substantial. Under the CSA Points system, your carrier's Vehicle Maintenance BASIC score is affected immediately. The weight determines how quickly the violation ages out of the 24-month measurement window. A severity of 7 means this violation will have meaningful impact on your carrier's BASIC percentile for months. Ask your safety manager for the exact point multiplier applied in your state.

First: do not move the truck. Second: inspect the intermodal container securing devices—chains, twist-locks, or fastening hardware. Third: contact your dispatcher or safety manager immediately; do not attempt roadside repair without authorization. Fourth: request the inspection report in writing. Our data shows that improper inspection documentation (code 396.17C) co-occurs with 393.116 in 9 recent cases, so ensure all periodic inspection records are ready. Fifth: arrange for certified repair before release.

Yes, significantly. Our inspection records show 393.116 has a 97.5% OOS rate compared to peer violations like inoperable lamps (15.4% OOS) or lighting defects (1.8% OOS). Even general inspection/repair violations (396.3) sit at 45.3% OOS. Only 1,689 total citations across our database suggests this is enforced when conditions are severe, making it a rarer but far more consequential violation than routine maintenance failures.

You can submit a DataQs (FMCSA's Compliance, Safety, Accountability data quality process) challenge if you believe the violation was incorrectly documented or misclassified. However, 393.116 is an equipment condition violation—it requires objective evidence (visual inspection of securing hardware). Contests succeed when documentation is flawed or the inspector didn't follow the securement standard. If the container truly was not secured, the citation will stand. Consult your carrier's compliance team before filing.

Texas leads by a large margin. In the last 180 days, our data shows Texas issued 38 citations with a 100% OOS rate. North Carolina follows with 10 citations (100% OOS), and Illinois with 3 citations (33.3% OOS). Texas and North Carolina are the enforcement hotspots, suggesting heightened focus on intermodal cargo securement in those states, particularly along major freight corridors and port regions.

Extremely urgent. Your truck is out of service immediately—you cannot legally operate it until the violation is corrected and re-inspected. Over the last 90 days, we've seen a sharp enforcement surge: July 2025 had 20 citations, then a sustained rate of 10–14 per month through early 2026. This suggests ongoing inspector focus on container securement. Request an expedited repair appointment and certified re-inspection to minimize downtime.

Both. FMCSA's CSA system records violations under the carrier's USDOT number (affecting their BASIC scores and safety percentiles), but the roadside inspection report links the violation to the specific vehicle and driver. Our top carriers cited include J B Hunt Transport Inc (13 citations) and Sierra Pacific Industries (10 citations). Your driving record may be reviewed by future employers; your carrier's score affects insurance, compliance reviews, and audit risk. Consult your safety manager on internal reporting requirements.