Every carrier is judged on its CSA score. Managed by the FMCSA, this rating determines how often your trucks are inspected, how insurers view your risk, and even whether you win new business. And while many factors go into the score, vehicle maintenance consistently ranks among the most critical. Knowing how the system works and how upkeep ties into it is the first step toward protecting your fleet’s reputation and operating costs.
What Is a CSA Score?
When it comes to trucking, safety isn’t just a priority. It’s measured, tracked, and tied directly to your ability to operate. That’s where CSA scores come in. The Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, managed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is designed to hold carriers accountable for safety performance on the road.
CSA scores are essentially a fleet’s report card. They measure how well a carrier is following federal safety regulations across different categories. Regulators, insurance providers, and even potential customers use these scores to gauge whether a fleet is operating responsibly. A poor score can lead to more roadside inspections, higher insurance premiums, or even interventions from the FMCSA.
How CSA Scores Are Calculated
CSA scores are built around Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs)—seven areas that track different aspects of compliance:
Unsafe Driving, such as speeding, reckless driving, and handheld device use.
Hours-of-Service Compliance, including driving beyond legal limits, and logbook errors.
Vehicle Maintenance, such as out-of-service equipment, lighting issues, and brake defects.
Controlled Substances/Alcohol, including violations for drug and alcohol use.
Hazardous Materials Compliance, including proper handling, securement, and documentation.
Crash Indicator, including patterns of crashes weighted by severity and frequency.
Driver Fitness, including violations related to driver qualification, such as not having the proper license, medical certificate, or required training.
Every violation or crash tied to your fleet adds points, which are entered into the Safety Measurement System (SMS). Carriers are then ranked against similar-sized fleets, expressed as a percentile score from 0 to 100. Lower is better. A high percentile in a BASIC category means your fleet is flagged for above-average violations, and you’ll likely face increased scrutiny.
The Role of Vehicle Maintenance in CSA Scores
Maintenance is one of the most common—and most avoidable—contributors to poor CSA scores. A truck with worn tires, faulty brakes, or broken lights is almost guaranteed to be flagged during a roadside inspection.
Poor maintenance can lead to violations and cascade into other CSA categories. A truck that breaks down due to neglected upkeep could result in unsafe driving citations (if a driver tries to push on with faulty equipment) or even crash indicators if the failure causes an accident.
The reality: vehicle maintenance is the most controllable variable in your CSA score. While you can’t always prevent every unsafe driving violation or crash, you can build processes that keep your equipment compliant and inspection-ready.
Common Maintenance Violations That Hurt CSA Scores
Some violations show up again and again in FMCSA reports, and they’re usually straightforward to prevent.
Brake System Defects: Out-of-adjustment brakes and air leaks are among the most frequent violations. Given brakes are a top cause of out-of-service orders, these hit your CSA score hard.
Tire & Wheel Issues: Worn tread depth, mismatched tires, or improper inflation quickly lead to citations. Wheel-end failures also increase crash risk.
Lighting Violations: Broken or missing lamps and reflectors remain one of the most common inspection failures. Something as simple as a burnt-out marker light can put points on your record.
Load Securement Problems: Improper tie-downs or unsecured cargo can result in severe penalties, especially with flatbed fleets.
Other Frequent Offenses: Fluid leaks, damaged mudflaps, cracked windshields—small issues that inspectors can (and do) catch regularly.
Each of these categories not only hurts your CSA score but can trigger costly downtime if a truck is pulled from service.
How to Improve Fleet CSA Scores Through Maintenance
The good news: addressing maintenance-related violations is straightforward with the right systems in place. Ideally, you should:
Implement a Preventive Maintenance Program (PMP): Don’t wait for breakdowns. Schedule inspections and services at manufacturer-recommended intervals and adjust for high-mileage routes.
Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections: Drivers are your first line of defense. Train them to complete DVIRs (Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports) thoroughly and consistently.
Keep accurate maintenance logs: Documentation matters. Keep clear records of inspections, repairs, and part replacements. It not only supports compliance but also helps identify recurring issues.
Invest in fleet management software: Digital tracking systems make it easier to schedule, log, and prove compliance. They also reduce the risk of something slipping through the cracks.
Complete ongoing training: Mechanics and drivers should be up to speed on FMCSA standards. A short training session can prevent costly violations later.
Think of it this way: every maintenance task completed on time is one less opportunity for points to show up on your CSA score.
Benefits of Maintaining a Strong CSA Score
Your CSA score goes beyond compliance. It’s a business metric that shapes costs, inspections, and even customer trust. Benefits of keeping a solid score include:
Reduced insurance premiums: Many insurers use CSA scores to determine risk. A higher score can mean higher rates.
Fewer roadside inspections: Fleets with strong records are less likely to be targeted for inspections, keeping trucks moving and loads on time.
Improved uptime: Preventive maintenance reduces breakdowns, which means fewer missed deliveries and less lost revenue.
Reputation and retention: Drivers prefer to work for carriers that value safety and compliance. Customers also view strong CSA scores as a sign of professionalism and reliability.
What to Do If Your CSA Score Drops
Even the best fleets see scores slip occasionally. What matters is how quickly and effectively you respond.
Identify problem areas: Review FMCSA reports to see which BASIC categories are driving your score up.
Create corrective action plans: Address recurring violations with targeted maintenance or retraining. Document everything.
Work with experts: Certified mechanics or compliance consultants can help uncover blind spots and get equipment back in shape.
A temporary score drop doesn’t have to become a long-term liability if you take prompt, focused action.
Why CSA Scores and Maintenance Can’t Be Ignored
Think of CSA scores as a fleet’s report card: if maintenance is slipping, the grade shows it. But that poor maintenance doesn’t just risk violations; it jeopardizes uptime, driver satisfaction, and customer trust.
The good news is that maintenance is the one area fully within your control. By committing to preventive programs, consistent inspections, and thorough recordkeeping, you can safeguard your CSA score while keeping trucks road-ready.
Point Spring helps fleets put this into practice. From preventive maintenance scheduling and DOT inspections to brake, suspension, and electrical system repairs, our service teams work to keep your trucks compliant and dependable. If your CSA score isn’t where you want it to be, now’s the time to take action, and we’re here to support you every mile.