What 393.207D means in plain language
A citation for 393.207D means an inspector found one or more of your truck's coil springs cracked or broken. Coil springs are load-bearing components that support the weight of your vehicle and cargo, absorb road shock, and keep your wheels in contact with the pavement. When a coil spring cracks or breaks, it compromises suspension geometry and can cause uneven tire wear, poor handling, and in extreme cases, loss of vehicle control.
Inspectors typically spot this violation during a walk-around safety inspection. They'll look for visible cracks in the spring metal, missing coils, or sagging on one side of the axle. A broken coil spring doesn't always make noise or feel dramatically different while driving—especially if it's a rear spring—which is why many drivers don't catch it before roadside inspection.
This is a mechanical defect, not a paperwork or operational violation. It's about the physical condition of a critical component.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million roadside inspection records, 393.207D is a relatively uncommon citation: 13 all-time citations place it at rank #2110 of 3,036 FMCSR codes. However, when inspectors do cite it, the severity is notable. Our data shows a 69.2% out-of-service rate—meaning nearly 7 out of 10 drivers cited for this defect were pulled from service immediately. That's significantly higher than the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate of 31.4%.
In the last 12 months, we recorded 9 citations for this code. Over the past 90 days, the rate has slowed to 2 citations. This isn't a high-volume violation, but the enforcement pattern indicates inspectors take coil spring defects seriously when found.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection data over the last 180 days shows Texas leads with 5 citations and a 40.0% out-of-service rate for this code. This represents the only state in the data with multiple citations in that window.
When we look at all-time carrier records, Victoria Truck Rental LLC (USDOT 3050832) appears twice in the citation history; all other carriers in our database show single citations. This is a low-frequency violation across the carrier base, so no fleet pattern emerges as dominant. The data simply reflects that coil spring cracks and breaks occur sporadically across the industry.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Comparing 393.207D to peer codes in the vehicle maintenance category reveals context. Code 393.9(a)—inoperable required lamps—has been cited 660,737 times with a 15.4% out-of-service rate. Code 396.3(a)(1)—general inspection and maintenance—shows 236,919 citations with a 45.3% OOS rate. Code 393.47E, a slack adjuster defect, has 180,363 citations but carries a 0.0% out-of-service rate.
What this tells you: coil spring defects are cited far less frequently than lighting violations or general maintenance issues, but when cited, they trigger removal from service at a much higher frequency. Inspectors may see a cracked lamp bulb as correctable or borderline; a broken suspension spring is classified as unsafe to operate.
How to avoid it
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Perform a detailed pre-trip suspension check. Walk the entire driver side and passenger side of both the front and rear axles. Look for visible cracks, rust discoloration patterns that suggest metal fatigue, or signs of sagging. Feel the suspension with your hand—gently press down on the frame above each wheel and release; you're checking for even rebound.
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Don't ignore uneven ride height. If one side of your truck sits noticeably lower than the other, or if you feel a pull to one side that's unrelated to brake adjustment, have a shop inspect the suspension before you roll.
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Check coil springs during routine maintenance intervals. Many drivers focus on brakes, tires, and lights and skip suspension. Coil springs deteriorate over time and mileage. A 50,000-mile or 100,000-mile inspection should include suspension component review.
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Inspect after rough road conditions. If you've hit a pothole, driven through severe washboard, or bounced hard on debris, do a visual check. Road impact can initiate cracks in springs that then propagate.
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Pair suspension inspection with brake and coupling checks. Our data shows coil spring citations sometimes occur alongside brake tubing/hose defects and coupling device issues in the same inspection. A comprehensive pre-trip that includes suspension, braking, and steering will catch multiple potential defects early.
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Watch the vehicle makes prone to this citation. Our records show Freightliner (6 citations), Kenworth (2 citations), Peterbilt (2 citations), and Volvo (2 citations) have appeared in the enforcement history for 393.207D. If you operate one of these brands, add extra scrutiny to suspension condition.
The data is clear: coil spring defects are rare, but enforcement is strict. A pre-trip that explicitly includes suspension inspection—not just a glance, but a hands-on check for cracks, sagging, and corrosion—is your best defense.