Will a missing side window citation put your truck out of service? What happens next? Get answers based on 347 real inspection records.
Ranks #1,046 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Windows - Missing side window(s) in driver compartment.
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our inspection records, 393.61-WD has never resulted in an out-of-service order—the OOS rate is 0.0%. All 347 all-time citations for missing side windows resulted in violations only, not vehicle placement. This is significantly lower risk than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%.
Missing side windows are less immediately enforceable than some related defects. Our data shows 393.60C (glazing/window obstructions) co-occurs in 7 of the last 90 days' inspections, and 393.78 (windshield condition defective) has been cited 157,894 times with only a 0.3% OOS rate. Since 393.61-WD carries zero out-of-service risk, it ranks as a lower-severity vehicle maintenance finding.
First, schedule a repair immediately—missing windows allow weather and debris into the cab. Second, check for related defects: our data shows exhaust system problems (393.80A) and cab/body component damage (393.203A-CBP) frequently appear in the same inspection as 393.61-WD. Get a full inspection of cab seals, body mounts, and weatherproofing. Third, document the repair and request a re-inspection if required by your jurisdiction.
Citations have increased over the past year. Our 12-month trend shows 172 total citations, with recent months climbing: September 2025 had 20 citations, January 2026 had 20, and February 2026 had 17. This suggests rising inspector focus on cab condition and weather sealing, particularly in winter months. Make window replacement part of your routine maintenance schedule.
In the last 180 days, Georgia and Pennsylvania each recorded 9 citations, and Ohio had 8. These three states account for over half of all recent citations. Washington, New York, Utah, Missouri, Tennessee, New Jersey, and Indiana also show enforcement activity. If your operation runs through these corridors, prioritize pre-trip window inspections.
Freightliner units lead with 69 all-time citations, followed by Volvo with 36 and Kenworth with 26. These represent typical vocational and over-the-road fleet compositions. Older Freightliner and International models appear frequently, suggesting that window deterioration or replacement issues are common as units age. Inspect windows closely during pre-trip if you operate these makes.
Yes, if the finding is factually incorrect. A missing side window is an objective, visible defect, so contestation is most effective if the window was actually present at the time of inspection, or if documentation shows replacement occurred before the citation was issued. File your DataQs request within 30 days through the FMCSA portal with photographic evidence or repair receipts dated before inspection.
Both. The violation attaches to the vehicle inspection record (carrier accountability) and to your driving record if you were operating the unit (driver accountability). For CSA and Compliance, Safety, Accountability tracking, the inspection affects your carrier's Vehicle Maintenance BASIC. If you're an owner-operator, the citation impacts your personal safety profile. Repair promptly to prevent repeat findings.
Where 393.61-WD 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.