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FaultScore report

2014 Can-Am Spyder RT problems

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2014 Can-Am Spyder RT with NHTSA between 2014 and 2021. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 7 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Can-Am Spyder RT All 2014 cars
B

FaultScore 38/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Can-Am Spyder RT.

How this is worked out

The numbers

16

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

93%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 16 vs 50 Severity 32 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 16
Against the median year of the Can-Am Spyder RT. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 32
6.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
93% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2014 compares with every other Can-Am Spyder RT

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2014 Can-Am Spyder RT

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Steering 3 18.8%

Median failure at 20,300 miles

Electrical System 3 18.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 1,200 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 18.8%

Median failure at 230 miles

Brakes 2 12.5%

Median failure at 254 miles

Seats 1 6.3%

Median failure at 210 miles

Tires 1 6.3%

Median failure at 500 miles

Suspension 1 6.3%

Median failure at 500 miles

Body & Structure 1 6.3%

Median failure at 100 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 6.3%

Median failure at 1,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 9 60.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 2 13.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 3 20.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 6.7%

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 2014 peak 3 Aug 2021

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 1,200 miles Woodstock, GA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I PURCHASED THE BIKE IN APRIL 2015 AND I RIDE ON COUNTRY ROADS. IN OCTOBER WE TOOK THE BIKE UP TO GET A PUMPKIN AND HAD TO SIT IN TRAFFIC. THE BIKE OVERHEATED SO WE PULLED OFF AND LET IT COOL DOWN. ON THE WAY BACK HOME THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WE FLASHING DIFFERENT THING SO I PULLED OVER AND CALLED CAN-AM FOR A TOW TRUCK SO IT COULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE BIKE FOR AROUND 2 WEEKS AND FINALLY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. I PICKED UP THE BIKE AND IT OVERHEATED NOT EVEN A 1/4 MILE FROM THE SHOP SO I TOOK IT BACK. THEY FOUND OUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INSTALL THE FUSES FOR THE COOLING FANS.WHEN I GOT THE BIKE BACK FROM THE DEALER THE SECOND TIME I PARKED IT AND WHEN I HAD A CHANCE TO RIDE IT ON NOVEMBER 28TH 2015, II WAS ON COUNTY ROADS IN NORTH GEORGIA AND IT OVER HEATED AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW I WAS ON MY WAY BACK TO THE DEALER WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED FLASHING A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT LOOKED LIKE SMOKE BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THAT IS WHEN I SAW FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT IT OUT AND I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE BIKE IS A TOTAL LOSS. CAN-AM SENT AN ENGINEER TO LOOK AT THE BIKE ON JANUARY 19TH 2016. WHAT I WAS TOLD BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY THE ENGINEER SAID "IT LOOKS LIKE THE FIRE STARTED AT THE RADIATOR BUT THERE WAS TOO MUCH DEBRIS TO CONFIRM. MY INSURANCE COMPANY STATE FARM CALLED ME LAST NIGHT AND TOLD ME CAN AM WAS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10824167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Belen, NM

SERVICE BRAKES

This is a Can-Am Spyder with a parking brake problem. On-line in the forum, there are many of these problems on the bikes with an automatic transmission. The brake will either not engage which causes the bike to roll which could cause an accident. Can-Am dealers cannot fix the problem and will just throw parts at the problem and charge $90 to $120 an hour just to look at it. No one knows how to fix the problem. Can-Am needs to recall these vehicles before someone gets killed or hurt because the parking brake does not work.

NHTSA complaint #11430100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Elmhurst, IL

STEERING

MOTOR CYCLE WAS STORED IN GARAGE OVER WINTER IN CHICAGO AREA. STARTED IT UP ON FIRST DAY IN 80 DEGREES AND GETTING CODES P0552 AND P0551. THE BIKE DISPLAYS THE HANDEL BARS ON DISPLAY. RESEARCH SHOWS PROBLEM WITH DO'S WHICH IS A STEERING ASSIST UNIT. BRP (MANUFACTURE) OF THE MOTORCYCLE HAD HAD PRIOR RECALLS ON THE SAME UNIT IN PRIOR YEARS. MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET HAVING SAME ISSUE THAT RESULTS IN 2000.00 DOLLAR REPAIR. BIKE STILL RUNS BUT YOU CAN FEEL STEERING IS HARDER. ALTHOUGH THE BIKE IS A 2014 I ONLY PUT A FEW THOUSAND MILES EACH SUMMER DRIVING IT LOCAL. A BIKE WITH JUST OVER 10K MIES SHOULD NOT POP A TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR SITTING IN STORAGE. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT IMPACTS YOUR ABILITY TO STEER AND AVOID ROAD SIDE INCIDENTS AND DISTRACTED DRIVERS. I ALWAYS HAVE MY WIFE ON THE BIKE AND BOUGHT A THREE WHEEL UNIT TO GIVE BOTH OF US MORE OF A SAFE RIDE. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11414275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,000 miles Apple Valley, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MALCOLM SMITH MOTORSPORTS (7599 INDIANA AVE, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504). THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE LIMP HOME MODE FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRANCE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA complaint #11278833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,300 miles Plain City, OH

STEERING

I OWN A 2014 CAN AM RT-SM6 MOTORCYCLE. IN OCTOBER 2018 I HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING MECHANISM REALIGNED, IT WAS STEERING TO ONE SIDE. THIS WEEK THE PROBLEM IS BACK, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM IS LOOSE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT, IF IT COMES LOOSE WHEN TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF MY MOTORCYCLE. I FIRST NOTICED THIS WHEN TRAVELING AND WHEN I GOT HOME I DOUBLE CHECKED AND THE ALIGNMENT IS VISUAL AND MEASURABLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH MY MOTORCYCLE.

NHTSA complaint #11240386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 254 miles Springfield, OR

POWER TRAIN

THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE THE FIRST TIME 8 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. COMPLAINTS OF NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALONG WITH AIR SHOCKS LEAKING AND AN OIL LEAK ECT. I WAS RIDING ON BACK COUNTRY ROAD WHEN I COULDN'T DOWN SIFT THE BIKE BEFORE GOING INTO A CORNER. HAD TO POWER STIR THE BIKE AROUND THE CORNER AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10960205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 254 miles Springfield, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE THE FIRST TIME 8 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. COMPLAINTS OF NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALONG WITH AIR SHOCKS LEAKING AND AN OIL LEAK ECT. I WAS RIDING ON BACK COUNTRY ROAD WHEN I COULDN'T DOWN SIFT THE BIKE BEFORE GOING INTO A CORNER. HAD TO POWER STIR THE BIKE AROUND THE CORNER AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10960205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 254 miles Springfield, OR

SERVICE BRAKES

THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE THE FIRST TIME 8 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. COMPLAINTS OF NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALONG WITH AIR SHOCKS LEAKING AND AN OIL LEAK ECT. I WAS RIDING ON BACK COUNTRY ROAD WHEN I COULDN'T DOWN SIFT THE BIKE BEFORE GOING INTO A CORNER. HAD TO POWER STIR THE BIKE AROUND THE CORNER AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10960205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Tucson, AZ

STEERING

40,000 MILES AND THE STEERING MECHANISM HAS WORN OUT. THE HANDLEBARS MOVE BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT THE FRONT WHEELS BEING AFFECTED. THE DEALER SAYS THE MACHINE CANNOT BE SAFELY RIDDEN UNTIL THE STEERING ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE SERVICE MANAGER NOTED THAT HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I AM LUCKY TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED BEFORE I HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THERE IS REPORTING THAT BRP HAD TO HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS IN EARLIER YEAR MODELS AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE HAS RE-APPEARED IN ITS 2014 MODELS.

NHTSA complaint #10895752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,200 miles Woodstock, GA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I PURCHASED THE BIKE IN APRIL 2015 AND I RIDE ON COUNTRY ROADS. IN OCTOBER WE TOOK THE BIKE UP TO GET A PUMPKIN AND HAD TO SIT IN TRAFFIC. THE BIKE OVERHEATED SO WE PULLED OFF AND LET IT COOL DOWN. ON THE WAY BACK HOME THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WE FLASHING DIFFERENT THING SO I PULLED OVER AND CALLED CAN-AM FOR A TOW TRUCK SO IT COULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE BIKE FOR AROUND 2 WEEKS AND FINALLY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. I PICKED UP THE BIKE AND IT OVERHEATED NOT EVEN A 1/4 MILE FROM THE SHOP SO I TOOK IT BACK. THEY FOUND OUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INSTALL THE FUSES FOR THE COOLING FANS.WHEN I GOT THE BIKE BACK FROM THE DEALER THE SECOND TIME I PARKED IT AND WHEN I HAD A CHANCE TO RIDE IT ON NOVEMBER 28TH 2015, II WAS ON COUNTY ROADS IN NORTH GEORGIA AND IT OVER HEATED AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW I WAS ON MY WAY BACK TO THE DEALER WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED FLASHING A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT LOOKED LIKE SMOKE BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THAT IS WHEN I SAW FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT IT OUT AND I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE BIKE IS A TOTAL LOSS. CAN-AM SENT AN ENGINEER TO LOOK AT THE BIKE ON JANUARY 19TH 2016. WHAT I WAS TOLD BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY THE ENGINEER SAID "IT LOOKS LIKE THE FIRE STARTED AT THE RADIATOR BUT THERE WAS TOO MUCH DEBRIS TO CONFIRM. MY INSURANCE COMPANY STATE FARM CALLED ME LAST NIGHT AND TOLD ME CAN AM WAS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10824167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Stonefort, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE CONTACT INDICATED THE HEAT FROM THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST SYSTEM WOULD MAKE THE SEAT VERY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

NHTSA complaint #10747071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 500 miles Edgewater, FL

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CAN-AM SPYDER RT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE RIDING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR SHOCK SUSPENSION WAS DISABLED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE ACROSS BUMPS IN THE ROAD ROUGHLY WHEN RIDING WITH PASSENGERS. THE AIR SHOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

NHTSA complaint #10683170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 500 miles Edgewater, FL

TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CAN-AM SPYDER RT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE RIDING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR SHOCK SUSPENSION WAS DISABLED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE ACROSS BUMPS IN THE ROAD ROUGHLY WHEN RIDING WITH PASSENGERS. THE AIR SHOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

NHTSA complaint #10683170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,000 miles Andrews, SC

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 71 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT TENSION BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. ## VIN PASSED ## 2014 CAN AM SPIDER ##

NHTSA complaint #10659707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200 miles North Myrtle Beach, SC

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA complaint #10659043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 210 miles Lacey, WA

SEATS

ON MANY OCCASIONS MOSTLY DURING OUTSIDE AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OVER 75 DEGREES, AFTER THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE THE HEAT THAT COMES OUT FROM BETWEEN THE SEAT AREA AND THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IS AT TIMES UNBEARABLE. MANY TIMES I'VE HAD TO EITHER SIT BACK ALMOST TO PASSENGER SITTING AREA OR KEEP STANDING UP ENOUGH TO INCREASE AIR FLOW. TO DATE I HAVE NOT MODIFIED THE BIKE AND HAVE BEEN MONITORING FORUMS TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10652312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 230 miles Dequincy, LA

POWER TRAIN

PURCHASE THIS CAN AM SPIDER ON OR ABOUT JUNE 25 HAD IT FOR 5 DAYS THERE IS A OIL LEAK CARRIED IT BACK THEY WORKER ON IT FOR THREE WEEKS PICKED UP THE BIKE AND AFTER THE FIRST DAY THE OIL LEAK IS STILL THERE TOOK IT BACK AND THE OIL LEAK HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF YET. THIS IS A NEW BIKE 2014 AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS THERE IS A FIRE HAZARD , ALONE WITH DANGERS. I AM ASKING FOR HELP IN THIS MATTER IN A DEFECTED BIKE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10622058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.