What happens after a 393.83F citation for temporary exhaust repair? Direct answers from 728 all-time inspection records: OOS rate, state trends, and next steps.
Ranks #809 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.3% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Exhaust - Temporarily repaired by wrap or patches
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our 13 million inspection records, 393.83F carries a 0.3% out-of-service rate—meaning only 2 of 728 all-time citations resulted in an OOS placement. For context, the average FMCSR code triggers an OOS at 31.4%, so this violation is far less likely to ground your rig. You'll receive a citation and an opportunity to cure, but your truck stays operational.
First, do not ignore it. Get the citation details in writing from the inspector. Second, schedule a repair immediately—don't delay. Our data shows 393.83F commonly co-occurs with fuel system leaks (50 shared inspections in the last 90 days) and brake issues (41 shared inspections), so have a certified mechanic inspect those systems too. Third, document the repair with photos and receipts. Fourth, request a reinspection once fixed to clear the violation from your record.
Not as serious as some. The related code 393.83G (exhaust discharge near driver) also appears frequently in our data (37 co-occurrences in 90 days), but 393.83F is specifically about temporary fixes—wrapping or patching. It signals poor maintenance rather than immediate safety risk. Compare this to codes like 393.9 (inoperable lamps) with a 6.9% OOS rate, or the general maintenance code 396.3(a)(1) at 45.3% OOS—you're in a much lower-risk category.
Texas dominates, with 203 citations over the last 180 days (representing the vast majority of enforcement), followed by Utah (37 citations) and California (5 citations). If you run in Texas, exhaust condition is a hot-button item—make it a routine pre-trip check. The Texas OOS rate for this code is 0.5%, slightly higher than the national average, but still very low overall.
This depends on your carrier's compliance history and the FMCSA's severity weighting system. The citation itself is recorded in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC category. For direct guidance on your specific points impact, contact your carrier's safety manager or request a CSA score breakdown from FMCSA—they provide a public portal that shows how each violation affects your score. The key is not deleting the citation; it's preventing repeat offenses.
Yes, you can submit a DataQS (Crash and Safety Data Quality System) request if you believe the citation was issued in error or was inaccurate. DataQS is the formal FMCSA channel for contesting roadside inspection records. File within 90 days of the citation. Because 393.83F is an equipment observation (the inspector visually confirms wrap or patches on your exhaust), your dispute must show the exhaust was actually in compliant condition at inspection—photos or mechanic certification help. Success rate depends on evidence quality.
Out of 3,036 FMCSR codes tracked in our database, 393.83F ranks 805th by citation volume. Over the last 12 months we recorded 480 citations nationally; in the last 90 days, 145. Citations have risen slightly—February 2026 saw 73 citations, the highest month in our trailing year. This is a real problem that inspectors catch, but not as frequently as lamp defects (660,737 citations for 393.9) or general maintenance issues.
Our records show the highest-cited entities include SAMA FREIGTH S DE RL DE CV (8 citations) and GRUPO IGLESIAS HIDROCARBUROS SA DE CV (7 citations). Many citations fall to owner-operators and small fleets, particularly in cross-border and refrigerated transport. The top vehicle makes cited include Freightliners (169 citations) and Kenworths (135 citations). This pattern suggests that smaller operations and certain heavy-duty makes see more enforcement pressure on exhaust condition.
Where 393.83F 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.