What 393.207(d) means in plain language
Your truck's coil springs are critical suspension components that support the vehicle's weight, absorb road shock, and keep your rig stable. When a coil spring develops a crack or breaks entirely, the structural integrity of your suspension system is compromised.
A citation for 393.207(d) means a roadside inspector found visible cracking or a complete break in one or more of your coil springs during a vehicle inspection. This isn't about wear or fatigue that requires laboratory analysis—inspectors are looking for visible damage that can be observed and documented at the roadside.
Suspension failures affect your ability to control the vehicle safely, especially under load or in emergency maneuvers. A broken coil spring can cause uneven weight distribution, reduce braking effectiveness, and increase the risk of rollover in sharp turns.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.207(d) is cited very rarely. We've recorded 37 all-time citations for cracked or broken coil springs in our database, with zero citations in the last 90 days and zero in the last 12 months. This code ranks #1717 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by overall citation volume.
Despite the low citation frequency, this violation carries serious enforcement consequences. Our data shows that 28 out of 37 citations (75.7% out-of-service rate) resulted in the vehicle being placed out of service. This rate is 2.4 times higher than the average out-of-service rate across all FMCSR codes, which stands at 31.4%. When inspectors find cracked or broken coil springs, they overwhelmingly deem the vehicle unsafe for continued operation until repairs are completed.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that citations for 393.207(d) have been distributed across multiple carriers and jurisdictions. The carriers with the highest citation counts in our database are Industrial Container Services - AL LLC (USDOT 3041117) and A Above the Rest Transportation LLC (USDOT 3199686), each with 2 citations. The remaining citations are spread across nine other carriers with 1 citation each.
Vehicle manufacturer data shows that Freightliners (FRHT) account for 6 of the 37 all-time citations, followed by Kenworth (KW), Gdansk (GDAN), Ford (FORD), and Wancer (WANC) with 2 citations each. No single manufacturer dominates this violation, suggesting that coil spring failure is not endemic to one truck brand but rather reflects overall fleet maintenance practices.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the vehicle maintenance category, 393.207(d) is comparatively rare but carries disproportionately high out-of-service consequences. For context:
- 393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps: 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate. Lighting violations are cited roughly 18,000 times more frequently but place vehicles out of service at one-fifth the rate of coil spring violations.
- 396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance general: 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate. While this broader maintenance code is cited over 6,400 times more often, its OOS rate of 45.3% is still lower than 393.207(d)'s 75.7%, indicating that cracked coil springs are seen as more immediately dangerous.
- 393.47E — Slack adjuster defective: 180,363 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate. Brake-related maintenance defects, while cited frequently, rarely result in immediate out-of-service status, whereas suspension damage almost always does.
How to avoid it
Coil spring failure typically results from accumulated wear, overloading, impact damage, or lack of suspension inspection. Prevent a 393.207(d) citation with these actionable steps:
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Perform a pre-trip suspension walk-around: Before operating your truck, visually inspect both sides of the suspension system. Look for obvious cracks, breaks, or sagging in the coil springs. Pay special attention to the areas where coil springs connect to the frame and axle, as stress concentrates there.
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Check for uneven vehicle ride height: During your walk-around, observe whether your truck sits level or leans to one side. A noticeable sag on one side often indicates a broken or severely weakened coil spring and is a red flag to report immediately to dispatch and get the vehicle into a shop.
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Report suspension problems to your fleet maintenance team without delay: If you notice any bouncing, clunking, or instability while driving—especially when turning or braking—do not ignore it. These are signs that suspension components may already be failing. Many drivers who receive citations for broken coil springs had prior warning signs they didn't report.
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Maintain proper weight distribution and avoid overloading: Excessive load on your truck accelerates suspension wear. Verify that cargo is properly secured and that your truck is not overloaded before departing. Uneven loading stresses coil springs unevenly.
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Follow your fleet's suspension maintenance schedule: If your fleet has a preventive maintenance program that includes suspension inspection intervals, stay current. Don't delay scheduled inspections because of schedule pressure.
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Know the weight limits of your truck: Operating consistently at or near maximum GVWR puts constant stress on suspension components. Know your truck's actual loaded weight and stay well below limits whenever possible.
Because coil spring citations are rare but result in out-of-service placements 76% of the time, the best strategy is prevention through diligent pre-trip inspection and immediate reporting of any suspension concerns to your company's maintenance team.