Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2016 Can-Am Spyder RT with NHTSA between 2016 and 2026.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 7 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 — 10
Against the median year of the Can-Am Spyder RT. 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 2016 compares with every other Can-Am Spyder RT
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2016 Can-Am Spyder RT
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Steering
440.0%
Median failure at 300 miles
Electrical System
220.0%
Median failure at 4,090 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
220.0%
Median failure at 3,677 miles
Other & Unspecified
110.0%
Median failure at 10 miles
Brakes
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires
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.
Oct 2016peak 2Mar 2026
Recalls on the 2016 Can-Am Spyder RT
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202225810,765 units in Canada
Powertrain
Issue: On certain vehicles, the front sprocket for the drive belt could wear prematurely. Over time, this could result in a loss of power to the rear wheel. Safety Risk: A loss of power to the rear wheel could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: BRP will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership for an interim repair. Once replacement parts are available, you will need to return to the dealership to replace the front sprocket for the drive belt.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Cumming, GACrash1 injured1 killed
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake failure led to catastrophic collision
NHTSA complaint #11546940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Lake Frederick, VA
STEERING
The power steering unit started to break up switching on and off making steering difficult.
NHTSA complaint #11722608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesSycamore, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
The contact owns a 2016 Can Am Spyder RT. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition failed to function as intended. The message DESS (Dynamically Enhanced Security System) was displayed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the programmed key chip had failed and needed to be replaced. The repair was pending. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance in covering the cost for the repair. The failure mileage was 6,000.
NHTSA complaint #11665734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cumming, GACrash1 injured1 killed
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake failure led to catastrophic collision
NHTSA complaint #11546940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,175 milesWoodbine, MD
POWER TRAIN
2016 CAN-AM RT SPYDER: FRONT SPROCKET STRIPPED LEAVING ME WITH NO WAY TO ACCELERATE TO GET OUT OF WAY OF TRAFFIC THIS HAPPENED AT 1642 MILES (BRP REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY). AT 5175 (3 MAY 2021) FRONT SPROCKET AGAIN LEFT ME IN TRAFFIC AND STRANDED AGAIN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. BOTH TIMES I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND HAS HAPPENED AFTER SLOWING AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE. BOTH TIMES REQUIRED TOWING AND REPAIR A SERVICE CENTER.
NHTSA complaint #11415023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300 milesColumbus, OH
STEERING
TAKATA RECALL IT HAS SO MUCH PLAY AND IT TURNS AT 65 MILES HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE 64 YOU CANNOT HOLD IT IN YOUR LANE [XXX] I HAD BOUGHT A CAN-AM SPYDER RT LIMITED SE6 2016 ON 4-12-2017 I HAD IT AROUND 15 DAYS AND FOUND OUT IT WAS UNSAFE TO RIDE I TAKING IT BACK TO THE SHOP ON 4-27-2017 THEY REPLACE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE STEERING I PICKED IT UP ON 5-11-2017. I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO CHECK IT OUT ON 5-17-2017 I HAD A OPERATION DOCTOR HAD ME IN BED UNTIL 9-17-2017 THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THE BIKE WASN'T FIX SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM ON 10-24-2017 THEY KEPT UNTIL 11-27-2017 THEY SAID THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT THEY ONLY DROVE IT 3 MILES I TOOK IT BACK ON THE SAME DAY 11-7-2017 THEY KEPT IT UNTIL 11-17-2017 NOW IT HAS SIX MILES ON IT. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A NEW BIKE I TOLD HER IT'S STILL NOT RIGHT I WAS GOING TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SHE SAID IF I DIDN'T CARE SHE WOULD COME OVER AND PICK IT UP AND TAKE CARE OF IT THAT WAS ON 11-28-2017 I GOT IT BACK ON 2-20-2018 I TOLD HER FROM THE DAY ONE THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH IT I WANTED ANOTHER BIKE SHE REFUSED SHE SAID WE'LL FIX THIS ONE IT WAS JUNK THE DAY I BOUGHT IT IS STILL JUNK ASK POWERSPORTS PH 614-759-9300 2450 PARK CRESCENT DR COLUMBUS OH 43232 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11084492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300 milesColumbus, OH
STEERING
01/15/2018 I SENT THIS LETTER TO YOU ONCE ON JANUARY 8TH 2018 YOU HAD RECEIVED IT AND GIVE ME A CALL TO GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION I RETURNED YOUR CALL LEFT A MESSAGE NOBODY CALLED ME BACK THIS IS A NUMBER THAT YOU CAN GET A HOLD OF ME 614 - 314 - 0725 THE BIKES BRAND NEW I'VE HAD PROBLEMS THE DAY I BOUGHT IT THEY STILL HAVE IT IN THE SHOP I NEED HELP. I HAD BOUGHT A CAN-AM SPYDER RT LIMITED SE6 2016 ON 4-12-2017 I HAD IT AROUND 12 DAYS AND FOUND OUT IT WAS UNSAFE TO RIDE I TAKING IT BACK TO THE SHOP THEY HAD IT FOR 14 DAYS THEY REPLACE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE STEERING I PICKED IT UP ON 5-11-2017. I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO CHECK IT OUT ON 5-17-2017 I HAD A OPERATION DOCTOR HAD ME IN BED UNTIL 9-17-2017 THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THE BIKE WASN'T FIX SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM ON 10 / 24 / 2017 THEY KEPT UNTIL 11 / 7 / 2017 THEY SAID THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT THEY ONLY DROVE IT 3 MILES I TOOK IT BACK ON THE SAME DAY 11 / 7 / 2017 THEY KEPT IT UNTIL 11 / 17 / 2017 NOW IT HAS SIX MILES ON IT. AND ALL THEY'VE HAD IT FOR 30 DAYS THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A NEW BIKE I TOLD HER IT'S STILL NOT RIGHT I WAS GOING TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SHE SAID IF I DIDN'T CARE SHE WOULD COME OVER AND PICK IT UP AND TAKE CARE OF IT THAT WAS ON 11 27 2017 AS WE TALK SHE STILL HAVE THE BIKE I TOLD HER FROM THE DAY ONE THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH IT I WANTED ANOTHER BIKE SHE REFUSED SHE SAID WE'LL FIX THIS ONE IT WAS JUNK TODAY I BOUGHT IT IS STILL JUNK AND SHE STILL HAS THE BIKE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS BAD ALSO TRUNK CABLE IS BROKEN AND THEY FOUND THE KNUCKLE ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED NOW THIS IS A NEW BIKE I TOLD HER TO REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER ONE SHE REFUSE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
NHTSA complaint #11062802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300 milesColumbus, OH
STEERING
I NEED HELP. I HAD BOUGHT A CAN-AM LIMITED 2016 ON 4-12-2017 I HAD IT AROUND 12 DAYS AND FOUND OUT IT WAS UNSAFE TO RIDE I TAKING IT BACK TO THE SHOP THEY HAD IT FOR 14 DAYS THEY REPLACE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE STEERING I PICKED IT UP ON 5-11-2017. I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO CHECK IT OUT ON 5-17-2017 I HAD A OPERATION DOCTOR HAD ME IN BED UNTIL 9-17-2017 THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THE BIKE WASN'T FIX SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM ON 10 / 24 / 2017 THEY KEPT UNTIL 11 / 7 / 2017 THEY SAID THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT THEY ONLY DROVE IT 3 MILES I TOOK IT BACK ON THE SAME DAY 11 / 7 / 2017 THEY KEPT IT UNTIL 11 / 17 / 2017 NOW IT HAS SIX MILES ON IT. AND ALL THEY'VE HAD IT FOR 30 DAYS THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A NEW BIKE I TOLD HER IT'S STILL NOT RIGHT I WAS GOING TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SHE SAID IF I DIDN'T CARE SHE WOULD COME OVER AND PICK IT UP AND TAKE CARE OF IT THAT WAS ON 11 27 2017 AS WE TALK SHE STILL HAVE THE BIKE I TOLD HER FROM THE DAY ONE THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH IT I WANTED ANOTHER BIKE SHE REFUSED SHE SAID WE'LL FIX THIS ONE IT WAS JUNK TODAY I BOUGHT IT IS STILL JUNK AND SHE STILL HAS THE BIKE.*BF *
NHTSA complaint #11062062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,180 milesDade City, FL
POWER TRAIN
AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK IN GEAR WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE MOVED FROM THE ROAD CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE TO BOTH MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY WITH MINIMAL SHOULDER AND IN THE MIDDLE OF A BLIND 45 MPH CORNER. IF THE VEHICLE HAD A NEUTRAL RELEASE SWITCH, THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN MOVED ONTO THE SHOULDER REMOVING THE OBSTACLE FROM THE PATH OF ONCOMING MOTORISTS. SINCE THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE MOVED, I HAD TO STAND IN THE ROAD TO WARN MOTORISTS TO STOP. THE CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE IS YET TO BE DETERMINED BUT IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE PATH OF OTHER MOTORISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10986164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,180 milesDade City, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK IN GEAR WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE MOVED FROM THE ROAD CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE TO BOTH MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY WITH MINIMAL SHOULDER AND IN THE MIDDLE OF A BLIND 45 MPH CORNER. IF THE VEHICLE HAD A NEUTRAL RELEASE SWITCH, THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN MOVED ONTO THE SHOULDER REMOVING THE OBSTACLE FROM THE PATH OF ONCOMING MOTORISTS. SINCE THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE MOVED, I HAD TO STAND IN THE ROAD TO WARN MOTORISTS TO STOP. THE CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE IS YET TO BE DETERMINED BUT IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE PATH OF OTHER MOTORISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10986164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 milesSimpsonville, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A VIBRATION IN THE HANDLE BARS STARTING AT 79 MPH THROUGH 82 MPH. IT THEN GOES AWAY. IT COMES BACK AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE IS GOING OVER 90 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DEALERS AND AS OF YET NO ONE CAN FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10917156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.