2011 Can-Am SPYDER RT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
2,935 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 29 complaints (37.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 10.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 10.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Engine: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Power Train: 4; Electrical System: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 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 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 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: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 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 (19). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2011: 4; 2012: 5; 2013: 4; 2014: 9; 2015: 1; 2017: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10405502 · 2011-06-07 (June 7, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CANAM SPYDER ROADSTER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DOWNHILL OR ON ANY TYPE OF INCLINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT INTO REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 238. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 238 miles reported. Look up ODI 10405502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11164894 · 2019-01-07 (January 7, 2019)
I OWN A 2011 CANAM SPYDER RT SM5 AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE BIKE GOING INTO REVERSE WHILE SHIFTING. I FOUND A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING THIS ABOUT THE "REVERSE ACTUATOR CABLE", ON RECALL FOR THE 2011 MODELS, BUT WHEN I PUT MY VIN # IN IT COMES UP AS "NO RECALLS ". I'M CLEARLY HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER 6 MONTHS NOW AND NEED TO KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING THIS REPAIRED UNDER THAT RECALL?
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11164894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10451964 · 2012-03-16 (March 16, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM SPIDER MOTORCYCLE . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND BOIL WHICH CAUSED FUMES TO IRRITATE THE CONTACTS EYES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAS NOT RECEIVED THE RESULTS YET, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 2,200 UPDATED 07/06/12 *BF
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454644 · 2012-04-10 (April 10, 2012)
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VENT SYSTEM ON THE GAS TANK. THE CHARCOAL VAPOR CANISTER FILLS UP WITH LIQUID FUEL AND IT CAN'T VENT FUMES. WHICH CAUSE THE AIR BOX TO VENT RAW GAS FUMES INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND OUT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SADDLE (SEAT). THAN RIGHT IN TO THE DRIVERS FACE, WHICH CAUSES BURNING EYES AND CHEST PAINS. AND "I WOULD GUESS A FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD" THE LAST 3500 MILES I HAVE HAD THREE CHARCOAL CANISTERS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE ONE INSTALLED NOW HAS FAILED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10735184 · 2015-07-20 (July 20, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL FUMES AROUND THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE ABS AND THE EBD DEFAULT WERE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10735184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10429958 · 2011-10-12 (October 12, 2011)
VEHICLE HAS ENTERED LIMP HOME MODE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65MPH) WHICH SUDDENLY REDUCES SPEED TO 35MPH. VEHICLES FROM REAR HAVE NEARLY IMPACTED DUE TO RAPID LOSS IN SPEED. ALSO ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS FAILED WHILE EXITING HIGHWAY WHICH MAKES MAINTAINING CONTROL VERY DIFFICULT. VEHICLE NEARLY LEFT PAVED SURFACE DUE TO HIGH STEERING EFFORTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL WHICH CONTINUES WHILE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING. FUEL VAPORS COULD CAUSE A FIRE DANGER. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10429958 at NHTSA ↗