Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Steering
741.2%
Median failure at 4,120 miles
Engine & Cooling
317.6%
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 2,000 mi
Other & Unspecified
211.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 11,875 mi
Lights
15.9%
Median failure at 22,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 512 mi
Brakes
15.9%
Median failure at 22,000 miles
Electrical System
15.9%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 15,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.9%
Median failure at 15 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
423.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
741.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
635.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2009peak 3Jun 2018
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 15,000 milesOrlando, FLFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I REFUELED MY MOTORCYCLE, AS I WAS LEAVING I NOTICED MY LEGS GET HOT. I DID NOT PAY IT MUCH MIND UNTIL THERE WAS AN ABSURD AMOUNT OF PAIN THEN I LOOKED DOWN AND I SEEN THAT MY MOTORCYCLE WAS ON FIRE. I THEN PULLED OVER AND CALLED 911 FOR ASSISTANCE AND BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL TO GET TREATED FOR MY BURNS. MY MOTORCYCLE WAS DESTROYED. THE ELECTRONICS WERE FRIED, THE PLASTICS WERE MELTED AND IT STUNK OF GASOLINE. I ALSO TAKEN PICTURES OF THE BURNS TO MY LEG AND THE MOTORCYCLE.
NHTSA complaint #10640373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesOrlando, FLFire1 injured
ENGINE
I REFUELED MY MOTORCYCLE, AS I WAS LEAVING I NOTICED MY LEGS GET HOT. I DID NOT PAY IT MUCH MIND UNTIL THERE WAS AN ABSURD AMOUNT OF PAIN THEN I LOOKED DOWN AND I SEEN THAT MY MOTORCYCLE WAS ON FIRE. I THEN PULLED OVER AND CALLED 911 FOR ASSISTANCE AND BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL TO GET TREATED FOR MY BURNS. MY MOTORCYCLE WAS DESTROYED. THE ELECTRONICS WERE FRIED, THE PLASTICS WERE MELTED AND IT STUNK OF GASOLINE. I ALSO TAKEN PICTURES OF THE BURNS TO MY LEG AND THE MOTORCYCLE.
NHTSA complaint #10640373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 512 milesHuber Heights, OHCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 15MPH, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT FINALLY GAVE OUT VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO GET STOPPED. VEHICLE WITH DRIVER JUMPED A CURB WENT OUT OF CONTROL HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THROTTLE WAS CHECK AND APPEARED TO BE OPERATION OK. SUSPECT THE VEHICLE SOFTWARE AS CAUSE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PRIOR TO INCIDENT AND REPORTEDLY CHECKED OUT OK. COMPUTER WAS DOWN LOADED AND SHOWED HIGH RPM AND ACCELERATION UP TO THE MOMENT OF IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #10328297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,750 milesBessemer, ALFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON AUG. 4, 2009 I TOOK MY CAM-AM SPYDER TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ADDRESSED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSTALLED THE REQUIRED SOFTWARE UPDATE AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME. AS I WAS LEAVING ABOUT A HALF BLOCK FROM THE DEALER THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. I TURN THE TRIKE AROUND AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER. WHEN I GOT OFF THE TRIKE I LOOKED TO SEE WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND NOTICED THE TRIKE WAS IN FLAMES. I RAN INSIDE THE SHOP TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. I THEN CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER(BRP) TO TELL THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO FILL OUT A ACCIDENT REPORT. I FILLED OUT THE REQUIRED PAPERWORK AND RETURNED IT TO THE MANUFACTURER (BRP). THEY TOOK A COUPLE OF DAYS TO INVESTIGATE AND RETURNED A VERDICT. "THE FIRE WASN'T MY FAULT AND NEITHER THEIRS(BRP) BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE" SAID BRP REPRESENTATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10280195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 927 milesConway, ARFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAD SMELLED BURNING RUBBER COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY 2009 CAN AM SPYDER FOR 2-3 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. ON 8/4/09 I HAD JUST PARKED THE SPYDER IN MY GARAGE AFTER DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 5:15 PM. THIS IS APPROXIMATELY A 2 MILE DRIVE. AFTER TURNING OFF THE SPYDER I NOTICED THE SMELL AGAIN AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IF YOU ARE FACING THE FRONT OF IT. THE SMOKE LASTED ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS AND THEN DISSIPATED. POSSIBLE SMALL FIRE ACCOMPANYING THE SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint #10279404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 3,500 milesWorcester, MA
STEERING
POWER STEERING HAS FAILED
NHTSA complaint #11102003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesOshkosh, WI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PUT IT IN REVERSE THEN IT BLOWS THE FUSE FOR THE RUNNING LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS
NHTSA complaint #10992013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesOshkosh, WI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PUT IT IN REVERSE THEN IT BLOWS THE FUSE FOR THE RUNNING LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS
NHTSA complaint #10992013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesOshkosh, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
PUT IT IN REVERSE THEN IT BLOWS THE FUSE FOR THE RUNNING LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS
NHTSA complaint #10992013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesOrlando, FL
STEERING
BIKE WENT IN (LIMP MODE) BECAUSE DYNAMICPOWER STEERING(DPS) UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, CAN AM/BRP HAD A RECALL OF THE (DPS) UNITS ON SEPTEMBER 7,2010, HOWEVER IS NOW REFUSING TO REPAIR MY CAN-AM PURSUANT TO SAID RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10763317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesOrlando, FLFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I REFUELED MY MOTORCYCLE, AS I WAS LEAVING I NOTICED MY LEGS GET HOT. I DID NOT PAY IT MUCH MIND UNTIL THERE WAS AN ABSURD AMOUNT OF PAIN THEN I LOOKED DOWN AND I SEEN THAT MY MOTORCYCLE WAS ON FIRE. I THEN PULLED OVER AND CALLED 911 FOR ASSISTANCE AND BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL TO GET TREATED FOR MY BURNS. MY MOTORCYCLE WAS DESTROYED. THE ELECTRONICS WERE FRIED, THE PLASTICS WERE MELTED AND IT STUNK OF GASOLINE. I ALSO TAKEN PICTURES OF THE BURNS TO MY LEG AND THE MOTORCYCLE.
NHTSA complaint #10640373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesOrlando, FLFire1 injured
ENGINE
I REFUELED MY MOTORCYCLE, AS I WAS LEAVING I NOTICED MY LEGS GET HOT. I DID NOT PAY IT MUCH MIND UNTIL THERE WAS AN ABSURD AMOUNT OF PAIN THEN I LOOKED DOWN AND I SEEN THAT MY MOTORCYCLE WAS ON FIRE. I THEN PULLED OVER AND CALLED 911 FOR ASSISTANCE AND BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL TO GET TREATED FOR MY BURNS. MY MOTORCYCLE WAS DESTROYED. THE ELECTRONICS WERE FRIED, THE PLASTICS WERE MELTED AND IT STUNK OF GASOLINE. I ALSO TAKEN PICTURES OF THE BURNS TO MY LEG AND THE MOTORCYCLE.
NHTSA complaint #10640373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesPort Charlotte, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CAN-AM SPYDER GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE OWNER BECAME AWARE OF A RECALL BUT SHE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER EVEN THOUGH HER VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10354120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,674 milesMartinsburg, WV
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CAN-AM SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH ON MAY 26, 2010, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE SUDDENLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLOWLY APPLY THE BRAKES TO GAIN CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED FOR RECALL 09V162000 (STEERING) IN AUGUST 2009 BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE DEALER, WHEN CONTACTED, ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,674.
NHTSA complaint #10332370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 512 milesHuber Heights, OHCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 15MPH, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT FINALLY GAVE OUT VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO GET STOPPED. VEHICLE WITH DRIVER JUMPED A CURB WENT OUT OF CONTROL HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THROTTLE WAS CHECK AND APPEARED TO BE OPERATION OK. SUSPECT THE VEHICLE SOFTWARE AS CAUSE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PRIOR TO INCIDENT AND REPORTEDLY CHECKED OUT OK. COMPUTER WAS DOWN LOADED AND SHOWED HIGH RPM AND ACCELERATION UP TO THE MOMENT OF IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #10328297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,800 milesAnascaul, 00
STEERING
STEERING LOCK ON CAN AM SPYDER WHILE DRIVING. STEERING LOCKED UP SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD TO BE PUSHED QUITE HARD TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THUS CAUSING THE IMMEDIATE JERKING OF THE WHEELS, WHILE MOVING. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND HAS LED TO A LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10326677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 900 milesLaplace, LA
STEERING
WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, SPYDER DRIFTED TOWARD TO THE RIGHT. TRIED TO CORRECT DRIFT, BUT STEERING WAS LOCKED. HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO CORRECT DRIFT, THEN STEERING BROKE LOOSE AND SHARPLY JERKED TO THE LEFT. NO ON-COMING TRAFFIC BUT IT WAS ENOUGH TO ENTER THE ONCOMING LANE. THIS CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND SCHEDULED A STEERING UPDATE WITH DEALER. AFTER THE DEALER INSTALLED THE UPDATE, ON THE WAY HOME (APPROX. 50 MILE TRIP) THE SAME THING BEGAN TO OCCUR, ONLY WORST. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME, IT WAS BEGINNING TO BE SO SEVERE THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO JUST STAY IN MY LANE OF TRAFFIC. CALLED THE DEALER WHEN I GOT HOME AND WAS INFORMED TO JUST BRING IT BACK AGAIN. THIS STEERING ISSUE IS BEGINNING TO BE A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR CAUSE A FATALITY.
NHTSA complaint #10298215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,120 milesClearwater, FL
STEERING
WHILE OPERATING MY 2009 CAN AM SPYDER, THE POWER STEERING UNIT LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO VEER ACROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC. THIS HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN A 1 HOUR PERIOD AND THEN 2 TIMES WHILE RIDING BACK HOME. THIS ISSUE HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ON AUGUST 10TH BUT THE EFFECTS WERE NOT AS STRONG AND I ATTRIBUTED THIS TO THE ROAD CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10297704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15 milesHuber Heights, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE PURCHASED A 2009 CAN-AM SPYDER LAST MONTH. THE VEHICLE IS A SEMI AUTOMATIC MODEL ( SE-5) AS YOU COME TO A STOP THE VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO DOWN SHIFT. BUT DOESN'T ALWAYS DO THIS REMAINING IN A HIGHER GEAR SUCH AS 4TH OR 5TH. THE RESULT IS WHEN YOU GO TO TAKE OFF FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE DOESN'T WANT TO MOVE AND SOMETIMES JUST DIES. YOU THEN MUST TURN IT OFF WAIT 60 SECONDS THEN RE-START IT. IF YOU GO TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC THIS CAN CAUSE A ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10290075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,283 milesLincoln City, OR
STEERING
I HAVE A CAN-AM SPYDER SE5 WITH 3000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT IN FOR A CHECKUP, A REQUIRED. I HAD NO PREVIOUS STEERING PROBLEM. THEY, THE DEALER WAS TO COMPLY WITH YOUR UPDATES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER COMPLETED THE UPDATES. WHEN I STARTED THE BIKE UP THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH A READING ACROSS THE SCREEN STATING TO CHECK "DP5". I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER OUT TO SEE THE PROBLEM. HE HAD HIS TECHNICIAN REDUE THE UNDATE PROCEDURE. THIS DIDN'T HELP THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE WOULD CALL THE FACTORY ON THE 21ST AS HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING UNIT. HE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE OK TO DRIVE THE BIKE HOME (52 MILES). I DID SO BUT THE STEERING WAS VERY STIFF AS IT HAS NO HYDRAULIC ASSIST. I CERTAINLY BELIEVE THIS IS DANGEROUS AS A PERSON WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME TRYING TO STEER AWAY FROM SOMETHING THAT SUDDENLY CAME OUT AT HIM OR DODGE A POT HOLE, ETC.
NHTSA complaint #10289316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,750 milesBessemer, ALFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON AUG. 4, 2009 I TOOK MY CAM-AM SPYDER TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ADDRESSED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSTALLED THE REQUIRED SOFTWARE UPDATE AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME. AS I WAS LEAVING ABOUT A HALF BLOCK FROM THE DEALER THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. I TURN THE TRIKE AROUND AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER. WHEN I GOT OFF THE TRIKE I LOOKED TO SEE WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND NOTICED THE TRIKE WAS IN FLAMES. I RAN INSIDE THE SHOP TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. I THEN CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER(BRP) TO TELL THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO FILL OUT A ACCIDENT REPORT. I FILLED OUT THE REQUIRED PAPERWORK AND RETURNED IT TO THE MANUFACTURER (BRP). THEY TOOK A COUPLE OF DAYS TO INVESTIGATE AND RETURNED A VERDICT. "THE FIRE WASN'T MY FAULT AND NEITHER THEIRS(BRP) BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE" SAID BRP REPRESENTATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10280195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 927 milesConway, ARFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAD SMELLED BURNING RUBBER COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY 2009 CAN AM SPYDER FOR 2-3 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. ON 8/4/09 I HAD JUST PARKED THE SPYDER IN MY GARAGE AFTER DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 5:15 PM. THIS IS APPROXIMATELY A 2 MILE DRIVE. AFTER TURNING OFF THE SPYDER I NOTICED THE SMELL AGAIN AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IF YOU ARE FACING THE FRONT OF IT. THE SMOKE LASTED ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS AND THEN DISSIPATED. POSSIBLE SMALL FIRE ACCOMPANYING THE SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint #10279404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.