2008 Can-Am SPYDER GS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
8,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 31 complaints (64.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 21 | 67.7% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 20 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Steering: 20; Electrical System: 5; Engine: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Service Brakes: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 26 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2009: 3; 2010: 11; 2012: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10259914 · 2009-02-25 (February 25, 2009)
I OWN A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER GS. I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE POWER STEERING (VSS) I AM NOT SO GOOD AT THESE THINGS, SO I WILL JUST SAY IT LIKE IT IS. IT LOCKS TO THE LEFT. AND PULLS THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. THIS HAPPENS BETWEEN 40-55 MPH I ALMOST CRASHED ON THE ON RAMP OF THE 405 FREEWAY BECAUSE THE BIKE WOULD SIMPLY NOT TURN TO THE RIGHT AND I HAD TO FIGHT WITH IT TO GET IT TO TURN. I STOPPED 2.5 FEET BEFORE CRASHING IN TO THE WALL. I KNOW OF 3 PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY CRASHED AND BRP (THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPLY TO US) THERE WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 7,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10292524 · 2009-11-17 (November 17, 2009)
RIDING MY 2008 CAN-AM SE5 SPYDER I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON I95 AT 75MPH ATTEMPTING TO PASS A SEMI WHEN THE SPYDER STARTS TO BUCK, & LOSE POWER AND THE DASH LIGHTS UP. ENGINE LIGHT, VSS LIGHT AND DPS PROBLEM SCROLLING. TERRIFYING TO ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVE NO POWER WHILE ALL AROUND U ARE DOING 70 AND YOUR 3 LANES AWAY FROM A TURN OFF W/ LITTLE POWER AND ERRATIC STEERING.. I GOT OFF TO THE SIDE AND TURNED EVERYTHING OFF AND BACK ON & FAULT WAS STILL THERE. DID IT AGAIN & IT WAS GONE, SO I CAUTIOUSLY GOT BACK ON THE FREEWAY, ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN A…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,422 miles reported. Look up ODI 10292524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10311061 · 2010-02-16 (February 16, 2010)
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WENT TO ADJUST MY POSITION WITHIN MY LANE BUT THE HANDLEBARS HAD TO BE FORCED TO THE LEFT (STEERING SEEMS TO BE LOCKING UP). THIS OCCURS CONSTANTLY AND REQUIRES ABNORMAL FORCE TO CORRECT OR HAVING TO BRAKE TO A STOP SO AS NOT TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO A CAN-AM DEALERSHIP FOR A POWER STEERING RECALL ALONG WITH AN ECM UPDATE RECALL AND A DPS UPDATE PER MANUFACTURER. THE RECALLS AND UPDATES WERE DONE BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10311061 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10460841 · 2012-06-06 (June 6, 2012)
MY 2008 CAN AM SPYDER WAS PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY NARROWLY MISSING MY CHILDREN AND IT FINALLY CAME TO REST IN MY NEIGHBORS FENCE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER 4 TIMES NOW FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT HOLDING AND THE VEHICLE ROLLING BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS. THE VEHICLE HAS NO WARNING SYSTEM TO TELL YOU THE BRAKE IS NOT HOLDING. THIS IS THE ONLY THING THAT HOLDS THIS 1000 POUND VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10460841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10536107 · 2013-08-19 (August 19, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WITH THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE POWER STEERING WAS RESET UPON RESTARTING THE IGNITION. IN 2010, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V162000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER. THE VEHICL…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10536107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10477969 · 2012-09-29 (September 29, 2012)
SINCE PURCHASING BRAND NEW IN 2008, THIS UNIT HAS HAD TERRIBLE GAS FUMES WHEN RIDING, AND A TERRIFIC BUILDUP OF RAW GAS FUMES IN THE GARAGE UPON PARKING. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM. SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE (NOW DEFUNCT) DEALER, VISITS TO DIFFERENT DEALERS, SEVERAL E-MAILS TO BRP IN CANADA, AND NO SOLUTIONS. NOBODY WANTS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, AND MOST OWNERS OF THESE MOTORCYCLES HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT: GAS SMELL, CARBON MONOXIDE, LACK OF DEALER SUPPORT, AND NO SOLUTIONS. IT IS NOT RIGHT THAT EVERY TIME WE RIDE OUR MOTORCYCLE, WE GE…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10477969 at NHTSA ↗