Direct answers about improper electrical wiring citations. Will you go out of service? How many points? What to do next. Real data from 13M+ inspections.
Ranks #619 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.1% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Wiring Systems - Copper wire exposed.
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our 13 million+ inspection records, only 1 out of 1,402 all-time citations for 393.28-WS resulted in an out-of-service order—a 0.1% OOS rate. For context, the national average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes is 31.4%, so this violation is rarely severe enough to sideline your vehicle. You'll receive a citation and must correct the wiring defect, but you can typically continue operations while you arrange repair.
This violation carries a severity weight of 3. CSA points are calculated by multiplying severity weight by a time-decay factor based on recency—the most recent 30 days carry the full multiplier, with older violations weighted less. A single 393.28-WS citation will add 3 points to your Unsafe Maintenance BASIC if it's your first hit in 30 days. Multiple citations within a rolling window compound the total. Check your CSA profile at FMCSA to see your current point status.
Immediate steps:
It's on the lower end of severity. This code ranks #631 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume (1,402 all-time), and its 0.1% OOS rate is far below similar vehicle maintenance violations. Compare: inoperable required lamps (393.9) has 660,737 citations and a 15.4% OOS rate, and general inspection/repair violations (396.3) average 45.3% OOS. Improper wiring is a correctable maintenance issue; it's not a safety emergency like brake failure or lamp malfunction.
Yes, you can submit a DataQs (FMCSA's data quality and review system) challenge if you believe the citation is factually incorrect. Wiring inspections are visual and equipment-based, so your case is strongest if: (1) the wiring was already repaired before the inspection, (2) the inspector's photographs do not match the cited condition, or (3) the wiring meets FMCSR standards and the citation misapplies the regulation. Gather your repair records, photos, and maintenance logs, then file through FMCSA's online portal within the appeal window.
In the last 180 days, Arizona leads by far with 142 citations, followed by US/DOT registrations across multiple jurisdictions (31 citations) and California (19 citations). Alabama, Missouri, and Georgia round out the top enforcement zones. Our inspection records show wiring violations are not uniformly distributed—Arizona accounts for roughly 58% of citations in this timeframe, suggesting either higher inspection activity in that state, a concentration of affected carriers, or stricter local enforcement of this code.
Fix it within 1–2 weeks. While 393.28-WS won't sideline your truck immediately, our last 90-day data shows 140 citations—a steady enforcement level—and monthly trend shows 52–92 citations per month over the past year. Delaying repair increases your risk of a repeat citation (which raises CSA points) and compounds the defect if the wiring degrades further. Additionally, our inspection records show wiring violations often co-occur with brake, coupling, and fuel system issues; timely repair prevents cascading maintenance failures.
They follow the carrier. Vehicle maintenance violations like 393.28-WS are recorded under the carrier's Safety Management (Unsafe Maintenance) BASIC, not assigned to individual drivers. However, the violation is tied to the specific vehicle VIN and trip, so if you were driving it during inspection, you may be subject to follow-up driver qualification review. Your carrier's safety score improves only when the fleet systematically corrects wiring defects and maintains compliance records—a single citation is data, but a pattern signals systemic maintenance weakness.
Where 393.28-WS is most commonly cited (last 180 days)
Other violations commonly found on the same inspection (last 90 days)
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.