Overview
UpKeep's Samsara integration connects your Samsara telematics sensors directly to vehicles in UpKeep Fleet — giving your maintenance team access to live telematics data, fault codes, and now automatic DVIR defect capture. Spot issues as they surface, create work orders before breakdowns happen, and shift your fleet maintenance from reactive to proactive in one integration.
This is the first step in a provider-agnostic sensor architecture. While Samsara and Fleet are the starting point, the platform is designed to extend to any telematics or sensor provider — starting with fleet, then expanding beyond.
Key Capabilities
Link Samsara sensors to vehicles: Connect your existing Samsara telematics hardware to vehicles managed in UpKeep Fleet from the Provider tab
Live Telematics: Access real-time vehicle data including location, engine status, and diagnostic information directly from the vehicle record
Fault Code Detection: Fault codes are pulled directly from the vehicle's onboard computer system (OBD-II/J1939) along with a telematics snapshot, giving you immediate diagnostic context
Work Orders from Fault Codes: Create work orders directly from detected fault codes to address maintenance issues before they escalate
DVIR Defect Capture: Defects marked as failed in Samsara's DVIR process automatically land in UpKeep as requests — one request per defect, linked to the correct vehicle, with full context included
Provider-Agnostic Architecture: The integration is built on a foundation designed to support any 3rd-party sensor or telematics platform, not just Samsara
Prerequisites
UpKeep Fleet module enabled on your account
An active Samsara account with sensors deployed on your vehicles
Admin access in UpKeep to configure the integration
Step-by-Step: Connect Samsara to UpKeep
Step 1: Navigate to Integrations
Log in to the UpKeep web app as an Administrator
Go to Settings from the left-hand menu
Select the Fleet tab
Locate Samsara in the list of available integrations
Step 2: Authenticate Your Samsara Account
Click Connect on the Samsara integration card
Follow the steps on the screen to create a Samsara API token and paste it into UpKeep
Sign in with your Samsara credentials when prompted
Authorize UpKeep to access your Samsara sensor data
You'll see a confirmation once the connection is established
Step 3: Link Sensors to Vehicles via the Provider Tab
Navigate to Settings > Fleet > Integrations
Click the three dots at the top of the Samsara connection and click Settings
Navigate to Vehicle Links and select the vehicles you want to link or select Auto-match by VIN to automatically match your Samsara vehicles to your UpKeep vehicle assets.
Once linked, Live Telematics data will begin flowing into the vehicle record automatically under Vehicle Status on the vehicle record.
Step-by-Step: Create Work Orders from Fault Codes
Once your Samsara sensors are connected, UpKeep automatically pulls fault codes from the vehicle's onboard diagnostics system. Each fault code includes a telematics snapshot with context about the vehicle's operating state at the time of the alert.
Navigate to Fleet > Faults
Review the Fault Codes section for active diagnostic alerts
View the fault code details and scroll all the way to the right to Create Work Order to generate a work order for the issue
The work order auto-populates with the fault code details and telematics snapshot
Assign a technician, set priority, and add any additional details
Click Save — the work order is now linked to the vehicle's maintenance history, creating a complete digital trail from diagnosis to resolution
DVIR Defect Capture
For fleet teams already running Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) in Samsara, UpKeep can now automatically capture defects and turn them into maintenance requests — no driver retraining required.
How it works
A driver marks a DVIR as failed in Samsara
The defect automatically lands in UpKeep as a request
One request is created per defect, linked to the correct vehicle asset
Full context is included: safety status, notes, vehicle, driver, location, and odometer reading
Unsafe defects are flagged and prioritized automatically
Why it matters
Customers running DVIRs in Samsara keep their existing inspection process — no changes for drivers
Defects flow directly into UpKeep's maintenance engine without manual handoff
This brings UpKeep Fleet to three paths into vehicle inspections: the UpKeep Mobile app, Public Inspections via QR code, and now Samsara DVIRs
Enable DVIR Defect Capture
Go to Settings → Fleet → Integrations → Samsara → Settings
Toggle on "Create UpKeep requests from DVIR defects"
Save your settings — defects from new failed DVIRs will automatically appear as requests in UpKeep
Use Cases
Proactive engine maintenance: A fault code flags a pending engine issue. Your fleet manager creates a work order and schedules a repair during planned downtime — avoiding costly roadside breakdowns and tow fees
DVIR-driven maintenance: Drivers complete their pre- or post-trip inspection in Samsara as usual. Any failed defect automatically becomes a work request in UpKeep, so nothing slips through the cracks
Fleet-wide diagnostics monitoring: Fleet managers review live telematics data and fault codes across all connected vehicles to identify and prioritize the most critical maintenance needs
Technician pre-diagnosis: Before touching the vehicle, technicians review the fault code and telematics snapshot to come prepared with the right parts and tools
Compliance and audit trails: Every fault code, DVIR defect, and resulting work order is tracked in the vehicle's maintenance history, creating a complete auditable record for DOT audits or internal reviews
Reduced vehicle downtime: Catch fault codes and DVIR defects early so maintenance teams can schedule repairs during planned windows instead of reacting to breakdowns in the field
Best Practices
Link sensors as you onboard vehicles: Make Samsara sensor linking part of your standard vehicle setup workflow so no vehicle goes unmonitored
Enable DVIR Defect Capture for Samsara fleets: If your drivers already use Samsara DVIRs, turning this on immediately closes the gap between inspection findings and maintenance action
Review fault codes daily: Build a routine around checking new fault codes to catch issues early. Focus on safety-critical and powertrain codes first
Create work orders promptly: Don't let fault codes or defect requests sit unaddressed. Convert them to work orders quickly to prevent escalation
Use telematics snapshots for diagnosis: The snapshot data provided with each fault code gives technicians valuable context before they even look at the vehicle
Pair with Preventive Maintenance: Combine sensor-based fault detection with your existing PM schedules for comprehensive coverage using both time-based and condition-based triggers
FAQ
Do I need a Samsara account to use this integration?
Yes. You need an active Samsara account with telematics sensors deployed on your vehicles. The integration connects your Samsara data to UpKeep Fleet.
What types of fault codes does UpKeep pull from Samsara?
UpKeep pulls fault codes directly from the vehicle's onboard computer system (OBD-II/J1939). Each fault code includes a telematics snapshot with context about the vehicle's operating state at the time.
Can I connect sensors from other telematics providers?
Samsara is the first supported telematics provider. The architecture is provider-agnostic, and Geotab is next on the roadmap. More providers will follow.
How does DVIR Defect Capture work?
When a driver marks a DVIR as failed in Samsara, UpKeep automatically creates a work request for each defect — linked to the correct vehicle with full context (safety status, notes, driver, location, odometer). Unsafe defects are flagged and prioritized automatically. Enable it under Settings → Fleet → Integrations → Samsara → Settings.
Will connecting Samsara automatically create work orders?
Fault codes surface in the vehicle record, and your team can create work orders from them with one click. For DVIR defects, a work request is automatically created when a driver fails an inspection in Samsara — your team can then convert it to a full work order.
Where do I link a Samsara sensor to a vehicle?
Navigate to Settings > Fleet > Integrations > Settings for the Samsara Integration > Vehicle Links. Link the vehicles manually or auto-match by VIN.
Is there an additional cost for the Samsara integration?
The Samsara integration is available as part of UpKeep Fleet.
Do I need the Fleet module?
Yes. The Samsara integration is part of the UpKeep Fleet module and requires Fleet to be enabled on your account.