FMCSR 393.71G: Fifth Wheel Defects — Immediate Answers

No. Across our inspection records, 393.71G citations result in an out-of-service rate of 0.0%—meaning no trucks cited for this violation have been placed out of service. All 5 citations in our database were issued as non-OOS violations. That said, the national average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes is 31.4%, so this violation sits well below enforcement severity thresholds for immediate road removal.

This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 8 points. The actual points added to your carrier's Safety Management System depend on when the violation was issued and how your state's DOT processes it, but the baseline weight is 8. Your fleet's safety manager or your carrier's compliance team can tell you the exact impact on your personal or company metrics within 30 days of citation.

1. Document the citation. Get a copy of the inspection report and photographs of the fifth wheel assembly condition.
2. Schedule repair immediately. Have a certified mechanic inspect the fifth wheel for excessive wear, defects, or loose fasteners.
3. Notify your fleet manager. They need to log the violation in your maintenance record.
4. Request re-inspection if contested. If you believe the citation was issued in error, you can dispute it through your state DOT's DataQs (Directed Annotated Technical Query System) within the allowed timeframe.
5. Document all repairs. Keep receipts and work orders proving the defect was corrected.

It's less serious than major vehicle-maintenance violations. Our data shows 393.71G has a 0.0% out-of-service rate, whereas similar codes like 396.3(a)(1) (Inspection/repair/maintenance general) have a 45.3% OOS rate, and 393.47E (Slack adjuster defective) also sits at 0.0% but sees 180,363 total citations. Fifth wheel defects are relatively rare—only 5 all-time citations in our 13 million inspection records—suggesting enforcement focuses on more frequent safety concerns like lighting and brake systems.

Yes, most FMCSR violations can be contested through the Directed Annotated Technical Query System (DataQs) if you believe the violation was issued in error or lacks supporting evidence. For 393.71G, you would need to demonstrate that the fifth wheel assembly was not defective, did not have excessive wear, or was properly secured at the time of inspection. Contact your state DOT for the specific DataQs filing deadline—typically 90 days from citation—and have photographs or inspection records ready to support your appeal.

While not immediately OOS-eligible, a defective fifth wheel poses serious safety and cargo control risks and should be repaired as soon as practical. Our records show only 1 citation in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days, suggesting this violation is rare but indicative of deferred maintenance. Fifth wheel failures can cause trailer separation, jackknifing, or loss of load on the highway. Have a certified mechanic inspect and repair the assembly before your next trip.

Our inspection database contains only 5 all-time citations for 393.71G, distributed across multiple carriers and vehicle makes with no single state dominating enforcement. The violation is extremely rare relative to the 13 million roadside inspections we track. This scarcity means that if you receive a citation, it reflects a genuine defect that was observable during inspection—not a common or routine finding.

Both. FMCSA records violations at the carrier level under the Safety Management System (SMS), which affects your company's CSA ratings and carrier safety profile. However, if you were driving the vehicle when cited, the violation is also linked to that specific unit's maintenance history. When you move to another carrier, the violation stays with the original carrier and vehicle, but a poor safety record at your previous employer may influence hiring decisions at your next fleet.