2012 Can-Am SPYDER RS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
7,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 6 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 16.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1; Steering: 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 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: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 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 (5). 1 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 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10495008 · 2013-01-28 (January 28, 2013)
5 MILES INTO A TEST RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE DEVELOPED A SHAKING IN THE FRONT END FROM SIDE TO SIDE THAT WAS FELT IN THE HANDLE BARS. BEFORE MOTORCYCLE COULD BE STOPPED FRONT WHEELS TURNED ON THEIR OWN CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO GO LEFT OF CENTER INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10495008 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508540 · 2013-04-17 (April 17, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CAN-AM SPIDER RS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE LIMP HOME MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE MORE THAN 10 MPH. THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED TWO TIMES PREVIOUSLY. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 374. UPDATED 9/4/13 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 374 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10618723 · 2014-08-04 (August 4, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 TO 50 MPH WITH THE DISPLAY SHOWING THAT THE BIKE WAS IN 4TH GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO A NEUTRAL STATE WHERE I COULD NOT SHIFT UP OR DOWN, COULD ONLY DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED ON A 2 LANE ROAD, DURING A SAND STORM AND MY LIFE AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD COULD HAVE BEEN AT STAKE. THIS IS THE 3RD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I HAVE HAD. FIRST INCIDENT IN 2012 I COULDN'T GET IT INTO GEAR, SECOND INCIDENT IN SEPT 2013, COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10618723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10628343 · 2014-08-26 (August 26, 2014)
I AM FILING A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ONGOING HEAT PROBLEM WITH MY 2012 RS-SE5 AND THE LACK OF URGENCY WITH BRP IN ASSISTING AND FIXING MY MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE PROVIDED WRITTEN COMMUNICATION TO BRP SINCE JANUARY OF THIS YEAR REGARDING THE EXCESSIVE HEAT PROBLEM SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS SPYDER IN MAY OF 2013 AS A NEW VEHICLE FROM A DEALER IN SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO OBTAIN A CASE NUMBER FROM THE BRP REP AND I HAVE DELIVERED THE BIKE TO A DEALER IN CUBA, MISSOURI AND I STILL AM WAITING FOR ANY CONTACT FROM BRP REGARDING THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628343 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10863498 · 2016-05-05 (May 5, 2016)
HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY SPYDER RT MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING. I BOUGHT THE MC 2/2012. HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHT RELAY REPLACED 4 TIMES SINCE 7/23/13. IN APRIL 2015, I WAS RIDING IN THE WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS AT NIGHT AND MY HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE SPYDER DEALER CALLED THE HOME OFFICE AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I FIRST HAD THE PROBLEM. I CALLED THE HOME OFFICE TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. AFTER ARGUING WITH TECHNICIAN HE HUNG UP O…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,867 miles reported. Look up ODI 10863498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11062761 · 2018-01-15 (January 15, 2018)
MY 2012 SPYDER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE RIDING IT IN WEST PEMBROKE PINES FLORIDA ON A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT I LOOKED DOWN TO FIND FLAMES COMING UP THROUGH THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT COVER AND THROUGH THE SIDE PANELS THANK GOD I WAS STOPPED AND SOME PEOPLE IN CARS HELPED ME PUT IT OUT NOW BRP SAYS IT'S NOT THERE PROBLEM BUT AFTER THE GAS CAP WAS CHANGED UNDER THE RECALL I COULD STILL SMELL GAS FUMES WHEN I CAME TO A STOP I WONDER HOW THEY CAN SAY IT'S NOT THERE PROBLEM AND DID / WON'T EVEN LOOK AT THE BIKE THAT'S A LOAD OF CRAP
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11062761 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V582000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
Reported: 2012-12-12 (December 12, 2012)
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Can-Am Spyder GS, RS, and RT series vehicles. The fuel cap may not fit onto the fuel tank filler neck, preventing it from sealing properly.
Consequence: If the fuel cap does not seal properly, it may leak fuel vapors. Fuel vapors in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire and personal injury.
Remedy: BRP will notify owners and send them a replacement fuel cap, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in mid-January 2013. Owners may contact BRP AT 1-888-638-5397.
NHTSA campaign record ↗