2009 Can-Am SPYDER RS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
2,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 13 complaints (76.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 10 | 76.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.7% |
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 | 10 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Steering: 10; Equipment: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 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 (8). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2010: 6; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2015: 2; 2017: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10329868 · 2010-05-11 (May 11, 2010)
I PURCHASED A 2009 RS SPYDER ON 05/04/2010 AND I HAVE RODE IT 300 SCARY MILES. THIS MACHINE IS DANGEROUS TO RIDE,IT FOLLOWS EVERY SEAM IN THE RODE SURFACE ,JERKING THE MACHINE BACK AND FORTH. SOMETIMES YOU DON'T HAVE GOOD CONTROL OF THE DIRECTION THE BIKE WANTS TO TAKE. I'VE BEEN RIDING MOTORCYCLES ALL MY LIFE AND KNOW HOW TO RIDE A BIKE,I'VE LOGGED MORE 500,000 MILES ON MOTORCYCLES AND THIS MACHINE IS SCARY TO RIDE. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER ABOUT MY CONCERN AND HE CLAIMS THAT I WILL GET USE TO THE WAY THE MACHINE HANDLES. I DON'T THINK IT'S SEAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329868 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10334496 · 2010-06-03 (June 3, 2010)
I HAVE A 2009 CAN AM SPYDER. THERE IS A STEERING PROBLEM WITH THE BIKE. I WILL BE DRIVING THE BIKE STRAIGHT AND IT WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN GO LEFT WITHOUT MY TURNING THE HANDLE BAR IN THAT DIRECTION. I HAVE TO THEN PULL THE BAR RIGHT, IT WILL CLICK AND THEN I WILL HAVE CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT SIX TIMES NOW, AND WHEN IT HAPPENS IT IS RANDOM. THUS FAR I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT IT IS DANGEROUS AND BRP NEEDS TO BE WORKING WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING PROBLEMS, COMPENSATING THEM OR SOMETHING. NOTHING HAS BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10334496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10356543 · 2010-09-20 (September 20, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CAN AM SPYDER RS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME LOCKED IN GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO RESPOND IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,300.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10356543 at NHTSA ↗