September 2026 • Truck Inspection & Safety Update
September TLDR
Too Long, Didn’t ReadSeptember was quieter than August, but the inspection news was still useful. CVSA released results from a five-day hazardous-materials inspection blitz, federal and state officers conducted more than 500 inspections during an overnight Southeast enforcement operation, and three brake-related recalls were filed for commercial trucks. Here is what vehicle owners, inspectors and maintenance teams need to know.
5,046
hazardous-materials and dangerous-goods vehicle inspections covered by CVSA’s September report
683
vehicles placed out of service during the five-day HM/DG inspection initiative
552
commercial vehicle inspections conducted during a coordinated Southeast overnight operation
Hazmat Inspection Results Put 683 Vehicles Out of Service
On September 10, CVSA released the results from its unannounced hazardous-materials and dangerous-goods inspection initiative. Inspectors in the United States and Canada completed 5,046 inspections over five days.
A total of 683 vehicles were placed out of service, producing a combined out-of-service rate of 13.5%. In the United States, 500 of 4,122 inspected vehicles were placed out of service. Canadian inspectors placed 183 of 924 vehicles out of service.
Inspectors also applied 1,187 CVSA decals to 794 power units and 393 trailers that completed eligible inspections without critical vehicle or specification cargo-tank violations.
Securement, Placards, Shipping Papers and Leaks All Created Problems
CVSA’s results show how many different parts of a hazardous-materials shipment can create an inspection violation.
- Inspectors found 197 placard violations, including 55 out-of-service violations.
- They recorded 64 marking violations, including 20 out-of-service violations.
- Twenty-nine leaking-package violations resulted in out-of-service orders.
- Inspectors identified 128 out-of-service cargo-securement violations.
- They found 265 shipping-paper violations, including 57 out-of-service violations.
The initiative also identified registration, permit, endorsement and training-certificate violations. Those issues are broader compliance matters, but they can still become roadside inspection problems.
An Overnight Southeast Operation Included 552 Inspections
On September 26, federal and state officers conducted a coordinated overnight enforcement operation along major freight corridors in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Officers completed 552 commercial vehicle inspections. The operation placed 25 vehicles and 78 drivers out of service. Inspectors checked vehicle condition, driver credentials, fatigue, electronic logging devices, distracted driving and cargo securement.
The operation focused on late-evening and early-morning travel in high-crash corridors. That is a reminder that targeted commercial-vehicle enforcement does not always happen during normal business hours or as part of a nationally advertised inspection week.
Source: FMCSA Southeast Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Results
A Previous Freightliner and Western Star Recall Repair Was Not Enough
Daimler Trucks North America filed a new recall covering 2,404 trucks that previously received a software-only repair under earlier brake-modulator recalls.
The affected population includes certain 2020 through 2023 Freightliner Cascadia and 2022 Western Star 49X trucks with a 4×2 axle configuration. According to the NHTSA filing, the earlier software remedy was not compatible with these vehicles.
Corrosion in a front-axle brake modulator valve may apply full braking pressure to one front wheel during an Electronic Stability Control or Roll Stability Control braking event. That can create a sudden brake pull and unexpected change in direction. The filing states that normal service-brake operation is not affected.
The new remedy is replacement of the affected brake modulator valves at no charge. The campaign is NHTSA recall 26V583, with manufacturer recall number F1039.
Source: NHTSA Recall Report 26V583
Two More September Recalls Involved Commercial-Truck Braking
Two additional September recall filings addressed brake performance on smaller groups of commercial trucks.
- Peterbilt 548: PACCAR recalled 58 model-year 2027 trucks because the front brake valve and hose sizes could delay rear service-brake application and release as well as trailer gladhand application. Dealers will replace the front brake valve and change the hose sizes. The campaign is NHTSA recall 26V567.
- Volvo VNL and VNR: Volvo Trucks recalled 392 vehicles equipped with a tanker application package. Liquid movement in a smoothbore or unbaffled tanker can create errors in the dynamic axle-load calculation and reduce trailer braking effectiveness. The remedy is updated software. The campaign is NHTSA recall 26V619.
Both campaigns apply only to specific VINs and configurations. A matching model name or model year does not automatically mean a truck is included.
Sources: NHTSA Recall Report 26V567 and NHTSA Recall Report 26V619
What We’re Watching Next
CVSA had not yet published its complete 2026 Brake Safety Week results by the end of September. We are also watching the repair and owner-notification schedules for September’s brake-related recalls. For fleets, the immediate work is simple. Check VINs, keep recall records current and make sure brakes, tires, lights, securement and required documents are ready before the next roadside inspection.