What does FMCSA violation 393.209 mean?

Cited for excessive steering-system wear, free play, or component defects affecting directional control. It can result in an out-of-service order depending on severity.

Is violation 393.209 serious?

It is a steering citation that can result in an out-of-service order depending on severity. Historical violations do not prove a current defect, but they tell you exactly what to verify before buying.

Can I check if a truck's VIN has violation 393.209?

Yes — if the VIN appears in FMCSA roadside records, TruckWhere shows its violations (including codes like 393.209), out-of-service events, and the inspection timeline for that exact VIN.

DOT violations › 393.209

FMCSA Violation 393.209: Steering wheel and steering system

Cited for excessive steering-system wear, free play, or component defects affecting directional control.

Last updated: June 2026 · Data sources: NHTSA vPIC (live) and FMCSA public inspection records (periodic refresh).

Quick answer

FMCSA roadside violation 393.209 (steering wheel and steering system) is a steering citation that can result in an out-of-service order depending on severity. On a used truck, a past 393.209 citation does not prove a current defect — it tells you exactly what to verify before you buy. If the VIN appears in FMCSA roadside records, TruckWhere shows whether it has this or other violations.

Free FMCSA roadside summary. We accept exact 17-character VINs only and never silently correct a VIN.

Official NHTSA + FMCSA data Free VIN decode Exact-VIN matching No title/odometer claims

Is 393.209 serious?

This is a Steering violation. It can result in an out-of-service order depending on severity. An out-of-service order means the vehicle could not continue until the condition was corrected at that time — it does not prove the defect remains today.

What a buyer should ask the seller

Ask about any steering work, including tie rods, drag links, and the steering gear.

What a mechanic should inspect

Check steering free play, tie-rod ends, pitman arm, drag link, and kingpin wear.

How 393.209 appears in a TruckWhere report

In a TruckWhere DOT Buyer Report, a 393.209 citation shows up in the roadside timeline with its date, state, unit attribution, out-of-service status, and a plain-English explanation — plus a Steering entry in repeated-system detection if it occurred more than once.

Check a VIN for 393.209 →

Learn more

How to check DOT inspection history by VIN Used semi truck VIN check guide NHTSA vs FMCSA VIN lookup What is an out-of-service violation?What does 'no FMCSA record found' mean?FMCSA DOT violation codes explained Methodology & data sources Sample DOT buyer report VIN & DOT glossary TruckWhere vs RigDig

Frequently asked questions

What does FMCSA violation 393.209 mean?: Cited for excessive steering-system wear, free play, or component defects affecting directional control. It can result in an out-of-service order depending on severity.
Is violation 393.209 serious?: It is a steering citation that can result in an out-of-service order depending on severity. Historical violations do not prove a current defect, but they tell you exactly what to verify before buying.
Can I check if a truck's VIN has violation 393.209?: Yes — if the VIN appears in FMCSA roadside records, TruckWhere shows its violations (including codes like 393.209), out-of-service events, and the inspection timeline for that exact VIN.