Can-Am SPYDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
1,275 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 to 2013 model years. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 32 complaints (43.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 15.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 15.6% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.1% |
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 | 14 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Engine: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Steering: 6; Electrical System: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Equipment Adaptive/Mobility: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 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 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 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: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 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 (21). 10 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2013: 6; 2014: 13; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 11143560 · 2018-10-28 (October 28, 2018)
WANTED ONE OF THESE FOR A LONG TIME, FOUND THIS ONE WITH 1520 MILES ON IT. JUST RODE IT HOME, 160 MILES, AND I WAS ABOUT KILLED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN UNLESS I EXERTED A LOT OF PRESSURE AND THEN IT WOULD "BREAK LOOSE" AND DART ANOTHER DIRECTION. JUST SPENT ALL MY SAVINGS ON THIS BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS LIKE BRAND NEW!
Owner-reported narrative. 1,550 miles reported. Look up ODI 11143560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11291321 · 2019-12-26 (December 26, 2019)
I WAS RIDING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES WHEN I FELT MY STEERING STICK PULLING THE BIKE TO THE RIGHT, THEN I HAD TO FORCEFULLY PUSH THE HANDLEBARS BACK LEFT TO GET IT TO BREAK FREE. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE HANDLEBARS FOR OBSTRUCTION BUT THERE WERE NONE. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED BACK TOWARD HOME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON BUT THE LONGER I WAS ON THE BIKE THE WORSE IT GOT UNTIL IT SCARED ME TO THE POINT I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE. AFTER RETURNING I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMED LIKE THE ISSUE I HAD WAS THE SAME AS UNITS THAT HAD BEEN RE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11291321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10582942 · 2014-04-15 (April 15, 2014)
HERE IS A LIST OF ISSUES WITH MY MOTORCYCLE, AND HUNDREDS OF CAN AM OWNERS 1- GAS SMELL 2- GAS BOILING AFTER RIDING 3- OVERHEATING, BURNING IF YOU TOUCH IT BOMBARDIER IS NOT FIXING IT, BUT THEY CHANGE THE DESIGN ON THE 2014 WITH NEW VENTS AND THEY ARE ASKING US TO PAY FOR THE FIX. MY BIKE IS SO HOT THAT MY WIFE HAVE ASK ME NOT TO RIDE ANYMORE, SHE ALSO ASK ME TO TO TAKE THE KIDS OR HER FOR RIDES BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES, IF YOU CHECK ON THE SPYDERLOVER.COM FORUM YOU WILL SEE THAT BRP IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO HELP THE HEAT ISSUES WE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10582942 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10616846 · 2014-07-28 (July 28, 2014)
THE BIKE HAS EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DIRECTLY UNDER THE FUEL TANK, THE EXCESSIVE HEAT ACTUALLY BOILS THE FUEL IN THE GAS TANK, ONCE LIFTING THE SEAT, THE FUEL GAS CAP IS TOO HOT TO REMOVE, I'VE CONTACTED BRP CARE WITH NO SUCESS AND HAVE ORDERED THE REPLACENT SIDE PANELS AT MY OWN COST, THEY HAVE COVERED SOME UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOT ALL ARE GETTING THIS OPTION, THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEIR HANDS ARE TIED AND CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT BRP''S APPROVAL. PLEASE FORCE A RECALL OF THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616846 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11364201 · 2020-10-13 (October 13, 2020)
2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RT WITH 793 MILES, DROVE YESTERDAY 10-12-2020 IN THE EVENING, WENT ABOUT 1/2 MILE AND DARK BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DUAL TOP PORTS I BELIEVE ARE AIR INTAKES. STOPPED AS IT WAS THICK SMOKE. RODE IT HOME SMOKING. TEMP RANGE WAS IN NORMAL RANGE. THESE BIKES ON WEB RESEARCH, HAVE A HISTORY OF CATCHING FIRE. PUT AWAY IN GARAGE, CHECKED GAS, BRAKE, OIL LEVELS APPEARED NORMAL BUT I ONLY DROVE A TOTAL OF 1 MILE. CHECKED UNDER ENGINE THE NEXT DAY , NO STAINS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF THE BIKE, SERVICE …
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 11364201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11430961 · 2021-08-30 (August 30, 2021)
Brake cylinder get hot and may melt, high engine Compartment Temperature, engine cut off while driving on the highway, THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT WHETHER OR THE VEHICLE HAS A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11141295 · 2018-10-18 (October 18, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RT S 991 SE5 CY 13. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE MOTORCYCLE AND PUSHED IT OFF THE ROADWAY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO AMERICA'S MOTOR SPORTS (930 8TH AVENUE S, NASHVILLE, TN 37203) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH EXPLODED AND DEBRIS ENTERED THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO STALL. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11141295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10541929 · 2013-09-04 (September 4, 2013)
EXCESS HEAT FROM THE ENGINE COMES OUT AROUND THE SEAT CAUSING FIRST DEGREE BURNS ON THE THIGHS AND PASSENGERS RIGHT ANKLE. THERE IS ALSO CONCERN ABOUT THE WIRING INSULATION MELTING AND THE BREAK FLUID TANDEM MASTER CYLINDER MANIFOLD (RESERVOIR) TO MELT FROM EXCESS HEAT AND THIS CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK ON THE EXHAUST AND CAUSE A FIRE. THERE HAVE BEEN FIRES WITH THE UNIT BEING COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE TRANSPORT CANADA SAFETY HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS CONDITION. BRP HAS BEEN SILENT ON THIS ISSUE IN THE USA MARKET. LOCAL DEALERS ARE NOT BEIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10541929 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 0 |
2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 0