FaultScore

2011 Can-Am Spyder RT engine problems

13 of the 42 complaints about the 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT are about the engine — 31% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 2,935 miles.

F

13

Complaints

0

Crashes

3

Fires

4

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 11 84.6%
Exhaust System 1 7.7%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 1 7.7%

Engine & Cooling across every Can-Am Spyder RT year

2011 13 16.7%
2012 11 14.1%
2013 54 69.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Sebring, FL

ENGINE

This vehicle emits raw fuel fumes under pressure while driving and after parked for up to 45 minutes. Sometimes can her the fuel boiling in the fuel tank. If parked n a garage and any spark is near the vehicle will blow up. If parked outside the fumes are overpowering and if someone drops a cigarette nearby there will be an explosion.. I have contacted the local BRP Can A, dealer and they refuse to look at or repair due to liability concerns. I contacted BRP AND RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER 2 months ago and they have and continue to address the dangerous problem. The vehicle is a time bomb and I can not use the vehicle at all due to safety concerns.

NHTSA complaint #11537557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,935 miles Upper Marlboro, MD Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM ROADSTER SPYDER RT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE MOTORCYCLE NEAR THE ENGINE AREA. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE SAFELY ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSISTED TO CONTAIN THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO A TOW YARD. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,935.

NHTSA complaint #11040912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,935 miles Upper Marlborpo, MD Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM ROADSTER SPYDER RT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE MOTORCYCLE NEAR THE ENGINE AREA. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE SAFELY ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSISTED TO CONTAIN THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO A TOW YARD. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,935...UPDATED 11/06/17 *BF UPDATED 11/13/2017

NHTSA complaint #11032072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LA Quinta, CA

ENGINE

FUEL IN TANK BOILS. SPYDER CONSTANTLY SMELLS OF LEAKING FUEL WHILE RIDDING. FUEL DRIPS, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WHEN PARKED. BOTH DURING AND AFTER A RIDE. THE COMPLETE EMISSIONS SYSTEM WAS REPLACED(UNDER WARRANTY) AND ALL OF THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED PROBLEMS RETURNED WITHIN A HUNDRED MILES OR SO. ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEAT IS SO HIGH IT CAUSED PREMATURE DEGRADING OF FUEL LINES. WHICH RESULTED IN MULTIPLE FUEL LEAKS WHERE FUEL LINE CLAMPS ARE USED. NOTE: THESE LEAKS WERE ALL IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF EXHAUST HEADERS. WHEN RIDDEN IN HIGHER AMBIENT TEMPS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEAT IS SO HIGH IT CAUSES BURNS TO YOUR THIGHS, WHEN WEARING PROPER RIDING APPAREL.

NHTSA complaint #10650686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,100 miles Gilbert, AZ 1 injured

ENGINE

AFTER RIDING THE 2011 CAN AM SPYDER RTS/SE5 AND PARKING IT IN THE GARAGE, A STRONG FUEL SMELL ODOR LINGERS FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS BEFORE IT DISSIPATES. WHILE RIDING THE 2011 CAN AM SPYDER RTS/SE5 IN CITY OR HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, AN EXTREME HEAT CAN BE FELT FROM UNDER THE SEAT AREA. THE HEAT IS SO BAD THAT IT HAS LEFT FIRST DEGREE BURNS ON THE INNER THIGH AND KNEE AREAS.

NHTSA complaint #10650704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,100 miles Gilbert, AZ 1 injured

ENGINE

1. AFTER RIDING THE 2011 CAN AM SPYDER RTS/SE5 AND PARKING IT IN THE GARAGE, A STRONG FUEL SMELL ODOR LINGERS FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS BEFORE IT DISSIPATES. 2. WHILE RIDING THE 2011 CAN AM SPYDER RTS/SE5 IN CITY OR HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, AN EXTREME HEAT CAN BE FELT FROM UNDER THE SEAT AREA. THE HEAT IS SO BAD THAT IT HAS LEFT FIRST DEGREE BURNS ON THE INNER THIGH AND KNEE AREAS.

NHTSA complaint #10650735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 500 miles Gilbert, AZ

ENGINE

AFTER PURCHASING OUR 2011 CAN-AM SPYDER RTS WE NOTICED THAT AFTER RIDING THAT THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE GARAGE COMING FROM THE SPYDER. CAN-AM ISSUED A RECALL FOR FAULTY GAS CAPS VENTING GAS FUMES. WE RECEIVED THE NEW UPDATED GAS CAP BUT STILL HAVE FUEL SMELL AFTER RIDING WHILE THE SPYDER IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. WHILE RIDING, THE HEAT COMING UP FROM THE BODY PANELS IS SO HOT THAT IT CAUSES 1ST DEGREE BURNS ON MY WIFE'S THIGHS AND CALVES. HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH THAT, ITS NORMAL FOR THE SPYDER.

NHTSA complaint #10621271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,011 miles Gansevoort, NY

ENGINE

VEHICLE OVER HEATS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC/ DASH CLUSTER SAYS LIMP HOME MODE BEEN IN DEALER SHIP SINCE 5/1/2014.

NHTSA complaint #10592199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Woodbridge, VA

ENGINE

THERE IS A STRONG SMELL COMING FROM UNDER SEAT. SMELLS LIKE BAD EGGS, TRYING TO PIN POINT SMELL, NO LUCK, NOT SURE IF ITS BURNING FUEL, DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE CAN AM ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10549343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,500 miles Columbus, GA Fire 1 injured

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM ROADSTER SPYDER RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, FLAMES WERE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE SEAT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES BY USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HOWEVER, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO HIS LEGS AND ELBOWS, WHICH LATER BECAME INFECTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,500.

NHTSA complaint #10464103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,532 miles Waterbury, CT

ENGINE

I HAVE HAD VARIOUS ENGINE CODES (6) WITH SUPPOSED REPAIRS SINCE PURCHASING THE MOTORCYCLE 4/18/11. LAST THURSDAY COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. AFTER FINISHING PASSING A SEMI ON THE HIGHWAY MY BIKE GAVE ENGINE LIGHT AND WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE. I LOST ALL POWER AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY THE SEMI. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT BEING VERY RESPONSIVE STILL TRYING A TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODIES ETC.. THIS BIKE IS UNSAFE ON THE HIGHWAYS AND I WILL NO LONGER RIDE MINE AS "FIXED". EITHER MINE AS A LEMON OR THE ARE ALL (TO QUOTE ) "UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED". PLEASE CONTACT ME AT FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10459382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Shingle Springs, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10429958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 238 miles Chicago, IL 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN AM SPYDER ROADSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE EXHAUST BECOMING EXTREMELY HOT, THE CONTACT BURNED HER LEG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST WAS DIRECTLY AIMED AT THE LEG OF THE DRIVER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK AND EXCHANGE IT FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 238. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10405506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT problems

← Full 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT report