Category: TLDR Newsletter

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.

Source: CVSA 2026 HM/DG Inspection Initiative Results

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.

Source: CVSA 2026 HM/DG Inspection Initiative Results

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

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 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

CVSA released its 2026 International Roadcheck results on August 25. During the three-day event, inspectors completed 44,047 Level I, Level II and Level V inspections that included an examination of the vehicle.

Inspectors placed 10,350 vehicles or vehicle combinations out of service after finding 13,924 vehicle out-of-service violations. That produced a 23.5% out-of-service rate among the inspections that included the vehicle. A single vehicle or combination could have more than one violation.

There was also a positive side to the results. Inspectors applied 17,680 CVSA decals in the United States and Canada to eligible vehicles and combinations that passed comprehensive inspections without critical mechanical or out-of-service violations.

Source: CVSA 2026 International Roadcheck Results

Brake problems accounted for the largest share of vehicle out-of-service violations during Roadcheck.

• 3,379 out-of-service violations involved brake systems.
• 2,072 additional violations involved the 20% defective-brakes criterion.
• Combined, the two brake categories produced 5,451 violations.
• Brake-related problems accounted for 39.1% of all vehicle out-of-service violations recorded during the event.

The 20% criterion applies when 20% or more of the service brakes on a vehicle or combination have an out-of-service condition. The figures are violation counts, so they should not be read as 5,451 individual trucks.

Source: CVSA 2026 International Roadcheck Results

Brakes were the largest category, but the rest of the leading vehicle violations were familiar roadside inspection problems.

• Tires: 2,914 out-of-service violations, or 20.9% of the vehicle total.
• Cargo securement: 1,724 violations, or 12.4%.
• Lights: 1,659 violations, or 11.9%.

Cargo securement was Roadcheck’s special vehicle focus for 2026. Inspectors looked for freight that was not adequately restrained, immobilized, locked, tied down, packed or monitored. Even so, tires still produced substantially more out-of-service violations than securement or lighting.

Source: CVSA 2026 International Roadcheck Results

Roadcheck also included 458 inspections of passenger-carrying commercial vehicles such as vans, minibuses, motorcoaches and buses.

Inspectors reported 207 safety violations in that group. Twenty-eight were vehicle out-of-service violations, and 49 passenger-carrying vehicles received CVSA decals.

Source: CVSA 2026 International Roadcheck Results

CVSA’s Brake Safety Week ran from August 23 through August 29 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Inspectors concentrated on commercial vehicle brake systems and components.

Inspection points included:

• Missing, loose, contaminated, cracked or non-functioning parts.
• Air leaks around brake components and lines.
• Over-stroking service brakes.
• Worn brake linings and pads.
• Broken or cracked drums and rotors.
• Inoperative tractor-protection systems.
• Rust holes, friction damage and broken spring-brake housing components.

The special emphasis for 2026 was brake drums and rotors. Vehicles found with a brake-related out-of-service condition were restricted from operating until the condition was corrected.

Source: CVSA 2026 Brake Safety Week