Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2013 Can-Am Spyder RS with NHTSA between 2014 and 2017.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 24
Against the median year of the Can-Am Spyder RS. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
30% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2013 compares with every other Can-Am Spyder RS
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2013 Can-Am Spyder RS
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
330.0%
Median failure at 1,800 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
220.0%
Median failure at 1,300 miles
Lights
110.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
110.0%
Body & Structure
110.0%
Median failure at 800 miles
Electrical System
110.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
110.0%
Median failure at 16,100 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
342.9%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
228.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
228.6%
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 2014peak 3Jun 2017
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 800 milesGreenville, SC1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
1. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE UPPER CALF AREAS OF THE RIDER IS EXCESVIE AND HAS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT BURN TO MY LEFT CALF. WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC THE HEAT EMITTED IS UNBEARABLE AND I HAVE TO MOVE MY FEET FROM THE FOOT PEGS TO AVOID BEING BURNED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DESIGNED TO DO THIS SO I AM FORCED INTO AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION NO MATTER WHAT WHEN STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. 2. THE VEHICLE EMITS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER A DRIVE AND THEN BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AS THE VAPORS SEEM SUFFIENT TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. BECAUSE OF THIS I LEAVE THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN TO PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM AN EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #10669196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 800 milesGreenville, SC1 injured
ENGINE
1. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE UPPER CALF AREAS OF THE RIDER IS EXCESVIE AND HAS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT BURN TO MY LEFT CALF. WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC THE HEAT EMITTED IS UNBEARABLE AND I HAVE TO MOVE MY FEET FROM THE FOOT PEGS TO AVOID BEING BURNED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DESIGNED TO DO THIS SO I AM FORCED INTO AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION NO MATTER WHAT WHEN STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. 2. THE VEHICLE EMITS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER A DRIVE AND THEN BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AS THE VAPORS SEEM SUFFIENT TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. BECAUSE OF THIS I LEAVE THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN TO PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM AN EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #10669196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 800 milesGreenville, SC1 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE UPPER CALF AREAS OF THE RIDER IS EXCESVIE AND HAS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT BURN TO MY LEFT CALF. WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC THE HEAT EMITTED IS UNBEARABLE AND I HAVE TO MOVE MY FEET FROM THE FOOT PEGS TO AVOID BEING BURNED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DESIGNED TO DO THIS SO I AM FORCED INTO AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION NO MATTER WHAT WHEN STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. 2. THE VEHICLE EMITS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER A DRIVE AND THEN BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AS THE VAPORS SEEM SUFFIENT TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. BECAUSE OF THIS I LEAVE THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN TO PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM AN EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #10669196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 16,100 milesEasley, SC
POWER TRAIN
TOTAL AND COMPLETE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I WAS DOING 40 MPH UP A MOUNTAIN ROAD AND THE ENTIRE MACHINE SHUTDOWN. IT BUCKED ME SLIGHTLY FROM THE SEAT. NO POWER. NO TRANSMISSION. NO WARNING. COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF MACHINE. IF I HAD BEEN DOING INTERSTATE SPEEDS OR ON A MUCH BUSIER HIGHWAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED AND MOST LIKELY EJECTED OVER THE HANDLEBARS AND QUITE POSSIBLY EVEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THE VERY ABRUPT STOP CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. FORTUNATELY, I HAD SOMEONE BEHIND ME ON ANOTHER SPYDER WHO RECOGNIZED THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKEN INTO PIECES. MY 2013 IS NOT THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BRP AND WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR RESPONSE. THERE ARE STILL 2013 HEAT ISSUE RECALL BIKES WHICH ARE BEING SOLD, THAT HAVE NOT HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED. MY BIKE WAS JUST SERVICED AT 14,000 MILES. THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED AND LOOKED AT SO OTHERS DO NOT GET INTO A LIFE-ENDING INCIDENT BECAUSE OF TOTAL MACHINE SHUTDOWN WHILE THE BIKE IS OPERATIONAL.
NHTSA complaint #10995209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,100 milesEasley, SC
ENGINE
TOTAL AND COMPLETE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I WAS DOING 40 MPH UP A MOUNTAIN ROAD AND THE ENTIRE MACHINE SHUTDOWN. IT BUCKED ME SLIGHTLY FROM THE SEAT. NO POWER. NO TRANSMISSION. NO WARNING. COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF MACHINE. IF I HAD BEEN DOING INTERSTATE SPEEDS OR ON A MUCH BUSIER HIGHWAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED AND MOST LIKELY EJECTED OVER THE HANDLEBARS AND QUITE POSSIBLY EVEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THE VERY ABRUPT STOP CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. FORTUNATELY, I HAD SOMEONE BEHIND ME ON ANOTHER SPYDER WHO RECOGNIZED THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKEN INTO PIECES. MY 2013 IS NOT THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BRP AND WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR RESPONSE. THERE ARE STILL 2013 HEAT ISSUE RECALL BIKES WHICH ARE BEING SOLD, THAT HAVE NOT HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED. MY BIKE WAS JUST SERVICED AT 14,000 MILES. THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED AND LOOKED AT SO OTHERS DO NOT GET INTO A LIFE-ENDING INCIDENT BECAUSE OF TOTAL MACHINE SHUTDOWN WHILE THE BIKE IS OPERATIONAL.
NHTSA complaint #10995209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I AM WRITING THIS LETTER IN REGARDS TO ISSUES OCCURRING WITH MY 2013 CAN AM SPYDER ST-S. I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE BRAND NEW IN 2013 FROM HOUMA, LA PERFORMANCE POWER SPORTS. FOR THE LAST YEAR OR BETTER, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINING ON ONCE THE CYCLE ENGINE IS OFF. SECONDLY, THE MOTORCYCLE IS CONSTANTLY GOING INTO 'LIMP MODE' WHILE RIDING. (VSS FAULT). THE MOTORCYCLE DECREASES IN SPEED APPROXIMATELY TO A MAXIMUM 70 MPH. LASTLY, THE 'CRUISE CONTROL' WILL NOT SET. THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY EMBARRASSING TO SAY THE LEAST AND IT POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IN PROCEEDING TO DO MY OWN RESEARCH, IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ROUGHLY NINETY-SEVEN (97) FORMAL COMPLAINTS MADE IN REGARDS TO 2013 CAN AM SPYDER, MOST INCLUDED THE SAME ISSUES LISTED HERE. THAT WAS QUITE ASTONISHING TO ME. IN ALL OF MY FRUSTRATION, I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS CALLS AND VISITS TO NEW ORLEANS POWER SPORTS LOCATION. THE RESULTS HAVE ALL BEEN MET WITH UNCONVINCING DETAILS. TELEPHONE CALLS HAVE GONE UNANSWERED, SPECULATIONS WERE MADE, ACCUSATIONS MADE WITHOUT PROPER DIAGNOSES. I AM UNAWARE IF THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN THROUGH A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AT NEW ORLEANS POWER SPORT. IN ADDITION, IT WAS LEARNED THERE WERE TWO RECALLS MADE: (1) 15V095000 FOR ENGINE; (2) 13V38600 FOR BRAKES AND HYDRAULICS. RECALL (1) WAS DONE SUCCESSFULLY THE HEATING SHIELDS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, RECALL (2) WAS NOT MADE KNOWN UNTIL RECENTLY. AFTER HAVING GONE THROUGH ALL OF THIS, IT APPEARS THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS UNAWARE OF CURRENT UPDATES ABOUT THE PRODUCTS THEY SERVICE. NEVERTHELESS, I AM AT THE END OF THE ROAD! AT THIS POINT, I AM NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER! THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 08/04/16.
NHTSA complaint #10850629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I AM WRITING THIS LETTER IN REGARDS TO ISSUES OCCURRING WITH MY 2013 CAN AM SPYDER ST-S. I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE BRAND NEW IN 2013 FROM HOUMA, LA PERFORMANCE POWER SPORTS. FOR THE LAST YEAR OR BETTER, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINING ON ONCE THE CYCLE ENGINE IS OFF. SECONDLY, THE MOTORCYCLE IS CONSTANTLY GOING INTO 'LIMP MODE' WHILE RIDING. (VSS FAULT). THE MOTORCYCLE DECREASES IN SPEED APPROXIMATELY TO A MAXIMUM 70 MPH. LASTLY, THE 'CRUISE CONTROL' WILL NOT SET. THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY EMBARRASSING TO SAY THE LEAST AND IT POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IN PROCEEDING TO DO MY OWN RESEARCH, IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ROUGHLY NINETY-SEVEN (97) FORMAL COMPLAINTS MADE IN REGARDS TO 2013 CAN AM SPYDER, MOST INCLUDED THE SAME ISSUES LISTED HERE. THAT WAS QUITE ASTONISHING TO ME. IN ALL OF MY FRUSTRATION, I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS CALLS AND VISITS TO NEW ORLEANS POWER SPORTS LOCATION. THE RESULTS HAVE ALL BEEN MET WITH UNCONVINCING DETAILS. TELEPHONE CALLS HAVE GONE UNANSWERED, SPECULATIONS WERE MADE, ACCUSATIONS MADE WITHOUT PROPER DIAGNOSES. I AM UNAWARE IF THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN THROUGH A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AT NEW ORLEANS POWER SPORT. IN ADDITION, IT WAS LEARNED THERE WERE TWO RECALLS MADE: (1) 15V095000 FOR ENGINE; (2) 13V38600 FOR BRAKES AND HYDRAULICS. RECALL (1) WAS DONE SUCCESSFULLY THE HEATING SHIELDS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, RECALL (2) WAS NOT MADE KNOWN UNTIL RECENTLY. AFTER HAVING GONE THROUGH ALL OF THIS, IT APPEARS THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS UNAWARE OF CURRENT UPDATES ABOUT THE PRODUCTS THEY SERVICE. NEVERTHELESS, I AM AT THE END OF THE ROAD! AT THIS POINT, I AM NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER! THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 08/04/16.
NHTSA complaint #10850629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM WRITING THIS LETTER IN REGARDS TO ISSUES OCCURRING WITH MY 2013 CAN AM SPYDER ST-S. I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE BRAND NEW IN 2013 FROM HOUMA, LA PERFORMANCE POWER SPORTS. FOR THE LAST YEAR OR BETTER, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINING ON ONCE THE CYCLE ENGINE IS OFF. SECONDLY, THE MOTORCYCLE IS CONSTANTLY GOING INTO 'LIMP MODE' WHILE RIDING. (VSS FAULT). THE MOTORCYCLE DECREASES IN SPEED APPROXIMATELY TO A MAXIMUM 70 MPH. LASTLY, THE 'CRUISE CONTROL' WILL NOT SET. THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY EMBARRASSING TO SAY THE LEAST AND IT POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IN PROCEEDING TO DO MY OWN RESEARCH, IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ROUGHLY NINETY-SEVEN (97) FORMAL COMPLAINTS MADE IN REGARDS TO 2013 CAN AM SPYDER, MOST INCLUDED THE SAME ISSUES LISTED HERE. THAT WAS QUITE ASTONISHING TO ME. IN ALL OF MY FRUSTRATION, I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS CALLS AND VISITS TO NEW ORLEANS POWER SPORTS LOCATION. THE RESULTS HAVE ALL BEEN MET WITH UNCONVINCING DETAILS. TELEPHONE CALLS HAVE GONE UNANSWERED, SPECULATIONS WERE MADE, ACCUSATIONS MADE WITHOUT PROPER DIAGNOSES. I AM UNAWARE IF THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN THROUGH A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AT NEW ORLEANS POWER SPORT. IN ADDITION, IT WAS LEARNED THERE WERE TWO RECALLS MADE: (1) 15V095000 FOR ENGINE; (2) 13V38600 FOR BRAKES AND HYDRAULICS. RECALL (1) WAS DONE SUCCESSFULLY THE HEATING SHIELDS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, RECALL (2) WAS NOT MADE KNOWN UNTIL RECENTLY. AFTER HAVING GONE THROUGH ALL OF THIS, IT APPEARS THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS UNAWARE OF CURRENT UPDATES ABOUT THE PRODUCTS THEY SERVICE. NEVERTHELESS, I AM AT THE END OF THE ROAD! AT THIS POINT, I AM NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER! THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 08/04/16.
NHTSA complaint #10850629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 800 milesGreenville, SC1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
1. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE UPPER CALF AREAS OF THE RIDER IS EXCESVIE AND HAS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT BURN TO MY LEFT CALF. WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC THE HEAT EMITTED IS UNBEARABLE AND I HAVE TO MOVE MY FEET FROM THE FOOT PEGS TO AVOID BEING BURNED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DESIGNED TO DO THIS SO I AM FORCED INTO AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION NO MATTER WHAT WHEN STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. 2. THE VEHICLE EMITS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER A DRIVE AND THEN BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AS THE VAPORS SEEM SUFFIENT TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. BECAUSE OF THIS I LEAVE THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN TO PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM AN EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #10669196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 800 milesGreenville, SC1 injured
ENGINE
1. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE UPPER CALF AREAS OF THE RIDER IS EXCESVIE AND HAS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT BURN TO MY LEFT CALF. WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC THE HEAT EMITTED IS UNBEARABLE AND I HAVE TO MOVE MY FEET FROM THE FOOT PEGS TO AVOID BEING BURNED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DESIGNED TO DO THIS SO I AM FORCED INTO AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION NO MATTER WHAT WHEN STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. 2. THE VEHICLE EMITS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER A DRIVE AND THEN BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AS THE VAPORS SEEM SUFFIENT TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. BECAUSE OF THIS I LEAVE THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN TO PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM AN EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #10669196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 800 milesGreenville, SC1 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE UPPER CALF AREAS OF THE RIDER IS EXCESVIE AND HAS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT BURN TO MY LEFT CALF. WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC THE HEAT EMITTED IS UNBEARABLE AND I HAVE TO MOVE MY FEET FROM THE FOOT PEGS TO AVOID BEING BURNED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DESIGNED TO DO THIS SO I AM FORCED INTO AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION NO MATTER WHAT WHEN STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. 2. THE VEHICLE EMITS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER A DRIVE AND THEN BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AS THE VAPORS SEEM SUFFIENT TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. BECAUSE OF THIS I LEAVE THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN TO PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM AN EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #10669196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,800 milesNashville, TN
ENGINE
WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS UP OVER 80 DEGREES THE HOT AIR COMING BACK ON YOUR FEET AND LEGS WILL GIVE YOU OR YOUR PASSENGER FIRST DEGREE BURNS EVEN WITH HEAVY LEVI'S ON. AFTER PARKING THE BIKE THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. THIS OCCURS ON EVEN VERY SHORT RIDES.
NHTSA complaint #10627913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,800 milesNashville, TN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS UP OVER 80 DEGREES THE HOT AIR COMING BACK ON YOUR FEET AND LEGS WILL GIVE YOU OR YOUR PASSENGER FIRST DEGREE BURNS EVEN WITH HEAVY LEVI'S ON. AFTER PARKING THE BIKE THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. THIS OCCURS ON EVEN VERY SHORT RIDES.
NHTSA complaint #10627913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.