What 393.13D3-CSURR means in plain language
This citation applies specifically to trailers manufactured before December 1, 1993. The regulation requires that the upper rear portion of your trailer have functional reflex reflectors—the retroreflective devices that bounce light from a following vehicle's headlights back to the driver. If an inspector found that these reflectors are missing, broken, faded, or obscured, the trailer fails this inspection item.
Older trailers may have reflectors that have deteriorated over decades of sun exposure, road salt, and vibration. Reflex reflectors are a critical visibility feature: they help drivers behind you see your trailer in darkness or poor weather conditions. When these upper rear reflectors are inadequate, your trailer becomes harder to spot, especially at night.
This violation is specific to older equipment. Trailers built after December 1, 1993, are held to a different (generally more stringent) conspicuity standard under current regulations, so newer trailers face different requirements. If your trailer predates that cutoff, you'll need to ensure the upper rear reflectors meet the minimum brightness and coverage standards set out in the FMCSR.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.13D3-CSURR has been cited 161 times all-time, with 96 citations in the last 12 months and 18 in the last 90 days. Importantly, this code has a 0.0% out-of-service rate—none of the 161 citations resulted in the truck being placed out of service.
This is significantly lower than the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate of 31.4%, which tells you that this violation is treated as a correctable defect, not an immediate safety emergency. Inspectors do not pull trucks off the road for inadequate upper rear reflectors on pre-1993 trailers. That said, you still need to address it: the citation goes on your record, and repeated violations or failure to correct can lead to compliance and enforcement action against your carrier.
The enforcement volume has remained relatively steady over the past year. In the last 12 months, citations peaked at 14 in November 2025 and bottomed at 2 in December 2025, showing no dramatic seasonal spike that would suggest a coordinated crackdown.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show the highest concentration of citations for this code in three states: California with 14 citations, Arizona with 8, and Utah with 6, all recorded in the last 180 days. All of these states show a 0.0% out-of-service rate, consistent with the national pattern.
The geographic distribution is heavily weighted toward the Southwest and West Coast, likely because older trailers are more common in those regions and because high-traffic corridors like I-40 and I-10 see intensive inspection activity. If your operation runs through California or Arizona regularly with pre-1993 equipment, you are statistically more likely to encounter this citation.
Our data shows fleets such as Rainier Amusements LLC and C & O Mendoza Transport LLC with 2 citations each all-time. This does not imply systematic negligence—older trailers are common in certain industries (amusement equipment, produce hauling), and a handful of citations across a carrier's fleet over several years is typical for this low-frequency violation.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
To put this in perspective, consider related codes in the Vehicle Maintenance category:
- 393.11 (Lighting devices/reflectors, general) has been cited 179,734 times with a 1.8% out-of-service rate. This is the broad category; 393.13D3-CSURR is a narrow subset targeting only pre-1993 trailers, so it appears far less frequently.
- 393.9(a) (Inoperable required lamps) has 660,737 citations and a 15.4% out-of-service rate—roughly seven times more citations and significantly higher severity.
- 396.3(a)(1) (Inspection/repair/maintenance, general) has 236,919 citations and a 45.3% out-of-service rate, reflecting how much more serious broad maintenance failures are treated.
393.13D3-CSURR is a narrow, low-frequency citation focused on a specific population of trailers. It is not considered severe by enforcement standards.
How to avoid it
Prevent this citation with straightforward pre-trip and periodic maintenance steps:
- Inspect upper rear reflectors at every pre-trip walk-around. Check that all reflex reflectors on the upper rear of your trailer are present, uncracked, and clean. Wipe away dirt, road salt, and debris that can dull reflectivity. A reflector that looks faded or dull in daylight will be even harder to see at night.
- Replace deteriorated reflectors immediately. If a reflector is cracked, cloudy, or missing, do not defer repair. These are inexpensive parts; replacing them takes minutes and prevents a citation. Older trailers are more prone to reflector wear, so budget for replacement more frequently.
- Check reflector alignment and mounting. Vibration and road impacts can loosen or misalign reflectors. If a reflector is bent, tilted, or partially obscured by mud or corrosion, fix it before roadside inspection.
- Pay special attention if your trailer is pre-1993. Our inspection records show this code applies only to older equipment. If you operate pre-1993 trailers, treat reflector maintenance as a regular line item. Newer trailers will never be cited under this specific code.
- Coordinate with your carrier's maintenance program. If you operate under a fleet, flag aging trailers with reflector damage to your safety or maintenance team. Our data shows common co-occurring citations include coupling device defects and brake issues, so a pre-1993 trailer with one maintenance issue often has others.
The bottom line: this is a visibility and maintenance issue, not a structural or safety-critical failure. A few dollars in reflector replacement and five minutes of monthly inspection will eliminate the risk.