The Professional Driver Agency recently released a Top Ten Driver Issues List of 2021. It identifies the top driver complaints from the year based on data from thousands of truck drivers. Equipment supply-chain issues ranked first in driver frustration, with a strong undercurrent of feeling underpaid and undervalued.
Topping the list in 2021 were mechanical/breakdown issues with the tractor (i.e. cab and engine). Drivers complaining about equipment assignment (and the often concurrent mechanical/breakdown tractor issues) ranked third on the list, while trailer breakdowns and in-cab technology faults rounded out the top 10.
From emergency repairs to non-functional equipment, truckers responded negatively to the burden of having to care for an improperly maintained commercial vehicle. All of these statistics suggest that large truck carriers are not doing enough to maintain their fleet to proper safety standards, nor valuing the time and efforts of their drivers.
The complete list of driver issues in 2021 are:
Tractor (cab/engine) mechanical breakdown issues
Compensation. Pay rate not competitive
Equipment Assignment. Tractor broken down
Home time. Wants daily home time
Mile inconsistency. Variable distances and wages
Trailers mechanical breakdown issues (specifically tires)
Compensation. Paycheck are inaccurate
Poor scheduling/planning. This leads to double shifts or gaps in scheduling
Communication. Slow response by trucking broker or dispatching company
In-cab equipment issues. Onboard communication device not working
Many of these aforementioned issues are duplicates of those outlined in last year’s American Transportation Research Institute’s annual Top Industry Issues report, which surveyed more than 2,500 carriers, commercial drivers, and other industry stakeholders.
Scott Dismuke, vice president of operations for Professional Driver Agency, understands the frustrations drivers face. “Once again,” Dismuke stated, “equipment supply chain problems come into play… However, providing clean and properly inspected equipment to new drivers during this equipment shortage will be key going into 2022.”
While Dismuke looks for change in 2022, the cold reality is that truck maintenance problems are systemic, as carriers cut corners to keep their fleets on the road. Every day a truck is out of service is a day of lost revenue; to keep the money “rolling in”, truck carriers “roll out” their trucks regardless of the state of disrepair. It is time to hold truck companies accountable for truck maintenance, flexible schedules and employee (trucker) welfare, without which more accidents are inevitable.
There are many different kinds of maintenance issues that can lead to truck breakdowns. This list includes, but is not limited to: brake failure; engine issues; transmission failure; tire failure; suspension and/or steering failure; broken lights; windshield wiper malfunctions; rear guard failure; and coupling failure. Below, we explore these commonly neglected maintenance issues that truck carriers and big transportation companies are required to address:
Brake failure
The braking systems are commonly in need of repair, as vehicles carrying heavy cargo are particularly susceptible to fluid or air leaks due to strain on the braking system. Commercial trucks need more time to stop than smaller vehicles, which inherently means more system maintenance.
Trucking companies must ensure that their fleet’s brakes are in working condition whenever they are on the road. And trucker drivers must be trained to drive in ways that avoid brake failure (ie. downshifting, jake brake, engine brake, etc.), especially in high-grade areas like mountain passes.
Frequent problems include worn brake discs, thinning brake pads, faulty brake lines, depleted or leaking brake fluids, anti lock brake system (ABS) malfunction or improper/infrequent inspection. A 2006 study conducted through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that brake failure was the most common vehicle equipment related cause of truck crashes. Of the 967 truck crashes included in the study, brake failure accounted for 29.4% of all truck crashes.
Engine issues
While modern truck engines are relatively efficient, they are not impervious to mechanical breakdowns. Overheating can be triggered by anything from coolant leaks to blown gaskets. Diesel engines occasionally break down from oil oxidation.Engine failure can also be caused by faulty fuel injectors, pumps and gasoline. Older vehicles are particularly prone to engine failures, which is why truck companies must be diligent about inspecting and repairing older engine parts.
Transmission failure
A truck’s transmission is designed to carry heavy loads but must be regularly serviced due to cargo demands. Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo is the leading cause of transmission failure in semi-trucks. The fault often lies with distributing companies, or trucking brokers, who oversee cargo loading limits. Even if the truck’s transmission passes inspection, an excessive cargo load can result in transmission failure.
Tire failure
Proper tire care is where “the rubber meets the road” in truck maintenance. When tires are over-inflated, underinflated, punctured, or overheated, they can become more prone to blowouts.
So it is imperative that truck carriers’ technicians and service managers regularly check the fleet’s tires. That includes everything from regular rotation, replacement of aging/balding tires, sidewall damage checks, air leaks, tread wear, tire pressure gauges, and actively monitoring for tire recalls. As the tire tread begins to thin, drivers lose maneuverability, and become more likely to lose control of their vehicles. (This is especially common in inclement weather.)
There may also be issues with the tire itself: tread separation, steel belt separation, tires made without all specified components, improper puncture repair, inadequate preventative design features, tires not suitable for the vehicle, retread problems, tires damaged during the mounting process, and/or manufacturing defects. All of these issues are testable, observable and preventable.
Steering/suspension failure
Problems with the truck’s steering systems — steering column, steering mechanism, steering wheel, or suspension — often go unnoticed until it is too late. Steering and suspension issues become more common with overloaded cargo, poor driving technique (common among new drivers), and infrequent maintenance.
Steering-related defects may include worn components (particularly ball and socket joint issues), loose fasteners on steering components (including steering columns), and issues with the power steering mechanisms. Welded parts on steering components need repair more frequently. Check for excessive steering wheel lash (sometimes referred to as “free play”), which is typically caused by a worn steering box or loose pitman arm.
Some common suspension issues include axle positioning or missing/defective parts. A qualified truck mechanic will look for loose suspension tracking rods, missing or damaged spring hangers and spring hanger bolts, and leaking air springs. Issues with spring leaves are also not uncommon, particularly in older suspension systems.
Broken lights
In low visibility conditions, functioning lights are essential. Not only do they make it possible for truck drivers to see the road, but they also ensure that others can see the truck. Malfunctioning turn signals or burned out sidelights put other drivers at a disadvantage if a truck is changing lanes unannounced. This is a common safety violation that should be regularly checked by trucking carriers.
Windshield wiper malfunction
Heavy downpours already increase the likelihood of collision — and defective windshield wipers further exacerbate the problem. Windshield wiper malfunction has been shown to be the cause of rear-end collisions as well as override crashes.
Rear guard failure
Underride accidents, or rear-guard accidents, occur when a smaller vehicle impacts the side or back of a tractor-trailer, often becoming lodged underneath. These are among the most fatal types of truck crashes on the road, killing more than 300 people every year in the US.
In an effort to lessen the severity of underride accidents, some truck companies are now installing a metal bar (called a “rear guard”) below the tailgate of their vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with the support of U.S. regulators, adopted stricter rear impact guards standards in 2022.
However, rear guards can, themselves, cause serious injury or even death, when installed improperly. The guard should be installed at a height that meets the oncoming car’s grill, not its windshield; if positioned too high, the rear guard can cause devastating injuries. The FMCSA has several rules and regulations that dictate a safe installation and placement of trucks’ rear guards.
Unhinged trailer (coupling failure)
Tractors and trailers must be safely linked together; in the event of a coupling failure, where the hitch or trailer piece malfunctions, a commercial truck’s trailer may come loose or unhinged. When on the highway, or while traveling at high speeds, coupling failures can result in jack-knife accidents, rollovers, and even runaway truck collisions.
What do I do when a truck presents an unsafe driving situation?
The moment you perceive a truck speeding, swerving, or driving recklessly, Call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238) from 8am‒8pm, Mon‒Fri EST. You can also submit a complaint through the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Website. The FMCSA will follow up to determine the cause of the incident (drugs or alcohol, mechanical failure, etc.). Keep that phone number on hand and always report unsafe driving behavior by filing a complaint.
Truck Companies: It is time to address your drivers’ complaints
As the Professional Driver Agency survey shows, many truck drivers are dissatisfied with the level of care their employers have taken in ensuring a safe and steady working environment. Trucking carriers have a responsibility to: 1) listen to and provide training for their employees, 2) construct feasible schedules, 3) maintain their trucks and 4) take preventative measures to ensure that these common causes for truck accidents are addressed early-on.
When trucking companies fail to meet these basic responsibilities (instead focused on profits over people), they must be found at fault for the preventable accidents that occur. It is time for truck carriers and brokers to deploy simple, but significant, efforts to not only improve driver satisfaction, truck driving and truck maintenance but road safety as well. The cost savings will be noticed in fewer accidents on the road.
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Have you been affected by a trucking accident? The aftermath of a truck wreck can be a flurry of stress. After you’ve called 911, and sought medical attention, call one of our seasoned trucking accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Peter M. Anderson.