27 of the
399 complaints filed about the Can-Am Spyder RT
are about the body and structure —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2013.
Upon cruising down the highway about 60 MPH,my powered windshield support arm broke and the windshield fell back toward me in between the handle bars. Upon inspection,arm broke in half leaving the windshield unsupported. Our safety was put at risk because windshield was laying flat instead of upright for protection from winds and bugs or debris as designed. We had to prop it up with a coat to finish our ride. Doing research on Spyder owners forum,we discovered it is an ongoing problems with this support arm and we are not the lone incident. BRP should recall this for safety reasons. BRP sells a replacement unit for $800, totally unexceptable as this is a part that should not fail.no warning lights could predict this. Parts are available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11527282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY IN MOTION, DURING A CLEAR DAY ON JULY 16 2016. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE SUFFERED A BLOWN REAR TIRE LEAVING A LARGE CENTER STRIP OF BLENDED STEEL AND RUBBER SHAPED AS A WIDE BELT THAT EXTENDED PAST THE REAR OF THE BIKE. SEE THE MULTIPLE PHOTOS ATTACHED IN (EXHIBIT P). WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRING THE BIKE TO A SAFE HALT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, THE ROTATION OF THE WHEEL USING THE STATED BELT BEAT THE PLASTIC REAR END OF THE VEHICLE TO A TOTAL DISMEMBERMENT OF CRUCIAL PARTS. WITH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEING RIPPED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, THE ATTACHED PASSENGER'S PLASTIC SEAT MOUNT WAS ALSO DESTROYED. FINELY AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING BROUGHT DOWN TO A STOP TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, SOMEHOW WITH THE VIBRATION OF THE ROTATING BLOW TIRE AND WHEEL, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL STABILIZING CAST IRON MECHANISM BROKE DISLODGING THE LOWER BALL JOINT THAT STABILIZED THE HORIZONTAL POSITION OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. SEE THE MULTIPLE PHOTOS ATTACHED IN (EXHIBIT K). THIS SENT THE VEHICLE IN A VIOLENT CLOCK WISE SPIN THAT FINELY OVERCAME THE RIDER'S GRIP DISLODGING THE SEAT AND RIDER ON TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND THEN FINELY COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP FACING THE ONCOMING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. HOWEVER, AT NO TIME DID THE VEHICLE HIT ANY CAR, CURB, WATER, ICE, TRASH, OR WALL DURING THE RIDE OR DISLODGING OF THE RIDER. NOOR DID IT FLIP OR TURN OVER AT ANY TIME, IN FACT THE VEHICLE DURING ITS REDUCTION IN SPEED, AS WELL AS THE CLOCK WISE SPIN EVER LEAVE THE FINAL LANE THAT THE RIDER WAS DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE. PLEASE EXCEPT THIS AS A REPLACEMENT AND UPDATE OF THE REMOVED COMPLAINT 11051430.
NHTSA complaint #11074024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEE THE ATTACH NHTSA_COMPLAINT.PDF THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. CAN AM SPYDER SERIAL/VIN # [XXX], MODEL # 000B9DC00. I HAVE PUT THAT I WAS GOING 75 MILES PER HOUR, NOT SURE OF THE NUMBER AS THIS IS A BIKE. MY GOAL IS TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC. HOWEVER THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY IS 75 MPH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11051430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V095000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER'S REMEDY WAS INCOMPLETE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE REPLACING THE BODY PANEL WITH NEW IMPROVED BODY PANELS AND AN UPGRADED FUEL SYSTEM KIT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED TEMPLATES TO USE TO CUT OUT PIECES OF THE BODY PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS THE ONLY AVAILABLE REPAIR FOR THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. .. .UPDATED 07/21/15
NHTSA complaint #10724817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE RIDING MY CAN AM SPYDER FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES, I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT FOR OVER A MINUTE. I THEN BEGAN TO FEEL EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BIKE, WHERE MY LOWER THIGH AND KNEE TOUCHES THE PANEL OF THE BIKE. I ALSO BEGAN TO SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC (SORT OF LIKE WHEN A RESISTER OR COMPUTER CHIP GETS FRIED). I IMMEDIATELY DROVE HOME WHERE I CHECKED THE BIKE FOR BURNT PLASTIC. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY BURNT PLASTIC, HOWEVER I DID NOT REMOVE ANY OF THE PANELS TO CHECK UNDERNEATH THEM. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 77F WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE EXCESSIVE HEAT WILL MELT COMPONENTS UNDERNEATH THE PANELS OR START A FIRE. THE PANEL WAS VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH. I DID RECEIVE A VERY SLIGHT BURN TO MY THIGH AREA AFTER THE RIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10723245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE WERE PART OF A NATIONAL BIKE CLUB RIDE TO A BEACH RESORT ACCOMPANIED BY APPROXIMATELY 300 RIDERS. WHEN WE DEPARTED ABOUT 7 AM, TEMPERATURES WERE IN THE LOW 70'S. THE ROUTE WAS MOSTLY DOWNHILL AND WE MAINTAINED AN AVERAGE SPEED OF ABOUT 50, 60 MPH. AFTER JUST OVER ONE HOUR WE ARRIVED AT THE RESORT WHERE WE ALL MOVED TO A LARGE GRAVEL PARKING AREA NEAR THE BEACH. WITHIN SECONDS AFTER I SHUT DOWN AND DISMOUNTED, GREY SMOKE STARTED SEEPING UP BETWEEN THE BODY PANELS WHICH QUICKLY TURNED INTO BLACK SMOKE SMELLING STRONGLY OF BURNING INSULATION. IN LESS THAN A MINUTE FIRE BROKE OUT FROM THE FRONT TOP VENTS AND BURNED THROUGH THE UPPER PLASTIC BODY PANELS EXTENDING MORE THAN 3 FEET INTO THE AIR. A FAST THINKING MEMBER RUSHED UP WITH A CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND STARTED EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE THAT BY THEN FLOWED OUT FROM UNDER THE BIKE AN THREATENED BIKES PARKED NEARBY. FORTUNATELY, THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITHIN 2 OR 3 MINUTES WITH NO DAMAGE TO OTHER PROPERTY OR ANY INJURIES. AT NO TIME DURING THE RIDE OR AT ANY OTHER TIME, EVEN WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES WERE OVER 80 DID THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REGISTER MORE THAN NORMAL. IT WASN'T UNTIL THE DAY AFTER THE INCIDENT THAT A FRIEND INFORMED ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE YEAR & MODEL WARNING OF POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. ALSO, UPON CLOSE INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL LINES WAS BURNED, AND WAS LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10712984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
600 MILE SERVICE COMPLAINED TO DEALER OF EXTREME FUEL SMELL AFTER RIDES. WAS TOLD THAT THE PURGE VALVE WAS BAD AND THEY REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. RODE HOME AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL SMELL WAS THE SAME. WHEN I CHECKED UNDER THE ROADSTER I FOUND FUEL DRIPPING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ROADSTER. I CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO TOP OFF THE FUEL TANK BEFORE PUTTING VEHICLE IN GARAGE. DEALER SAID THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. 4600 MILE SERVICE AGAIN COMPLAINED OF EXTREME FUEL SMELL AFTER RIDES. ASKED DEALER ABOUT HOT HOT RIGHT FOOT WAS TOLD BY DEALER THIS WAS NORMAL AND THE ROADSTER WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. 9200 MILE SERVICE COMPLAINED OF EXTREME FUEL SMELL AND HEAT ON RIGHT FOOT, NO HEAT LEFT HAND GRIP, AND INTERMITTENT HEAT ON RIGHT HAND GRIP, WARPED RIGHT HAND CENTER BODY PANEL. WHEN SERVICE WAS COMPLETE I ASKED ABOUT NO HEAT ON HAND GRIPS. TECHNICIAN FOUND LOOSE CONNECTORS AT BOTH HAND GRIPS AND THAT THE CONNECTIONS COULD BE A PROBLEM IF THERE WERE GAS FUMES IN THE AREA. BODY PANEL ORDERED AND REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE PANEL WAS BENT FROM FACTORY NOT HEAT. TECHNICIAN AND SERVICE MANAGER DID NOT AGREE AND BOTH SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE HEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10651558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE UPON SHUT DOWN AFTER EXTENDED RIDES OF MORE THAN 10-15 MILES AT VARYING SPEEDS. APPEARS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHEN MULTIPLE STOPS (ENGINE SHUT DOWN OF SHORT DURATION) OCCUR DURING THE SAME RIDE. RIDING MORE THAN 10 - 15 MILES RESULTS IN VERY HIGH HEAT EMANATING FROM UNDER SEAT ON RIGHT SIDE AND EXTREME HEAT NEAR RIGHT ANKLE AND FOOT. PASSENGER ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT HEAT TO RIGHT ANKLE AND FOOT. WHEN PARKING SPYDER IN MY ENCLOSED ATTACHED GARAGE, GARAGE DOOR MUST BE LEFT OPEN TO DISSIPATE GASOLINE FUMES, OTHERWISE FUMES ENTER HOUSE LIVING AREAS. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT MY NATURAL GAS FIRED WATER HEATER (WITH PILOT LIGHT) IS IN THE SAME GARAGE AS MY PARKED SPYDER. SO FAR (KNOCK ON WOOD) THERE HAVE BEEN NO FIRES BUT I ATTRIBUTE THAT TO VENTILATING GARAGE COMPLETELY BEFORE CLOSING GARAGE DOOR. THE GASOLINE FUMES ARE A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND THE HIGH HEAT, WHILE A COMFORT PROBLEM, COULD ALSO BE A DISTRACTION SAFETY PROBLEM. IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT THESE CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
NHTSA complaint #10650747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE WINDSHIELD IS MOUNTED ON THREE STRUTS -- THE MIDDLE ONE CONTROLS THE UP AND DOWN POSITION OF THE SHIELD AND HOLDS IT IN POSITION; THE OUTER TWO MOVE FREELY UP AND DOWN WITH NO RESTRAINT. THE CENTER STRUT BROKE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO SUDDENLY FLY UP AND BACK AND THEN SETTLE IN AGAINST THE FRONT OF THE MOTORCYCLE. IN THAT POSITION, FULL WIND FORCE IS DIRECTED AGAINST THE RIDER AND PASSENGER. FURTHER, THE OUTER TWO STRUTS ARE FREE TO MOVE UP AND DOWN SO ANY PASSING TURBULENCE SUCH AS ANOTHER CAR OR TRUCK CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD TO LITERALLY FLAP IN THE BREEZE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ONLY NOW BECAUSE ON 09/20/2014 I OBSERVED THAT THE NEW REPLACEMENT STRUT WAS CRACKED OVER HALF-WAY THROUGH. THERE ARE APPROX 8475 MILES ON THE NEW REPLACEMENT STRUT (TOTAL MILEAGE ON VEHICLE 37575). I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE UNEXPECTED TOTAL FAILURE OF THE STRUT AND THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY FLYING UP AND BACK COULD EASILY CAUSE THE RIDER TO SWERVE OR REACT IN SOME WAY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT IS APPARENT FROM MY HAVING TWO FAILURES THAT BRP (THE MANUFACTURER OF CAN AM MOTORCYCLES) HAS NOT IMPROVED THE DESIGN, MATERIAL OR MANUFACTURE OF THESE SIMPLE STRUTS. THIS CONCLUSION IS SUPPORTED BY THEIR NOT HAVING CHANGED THE PART NUMBER FOR THE 2011 AND 2012 MODEL YEARS NOR THE PART NUMBER OF THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR THOSE YEARS. THIS CONCLUSION IS FURTHER SUPPORTED BY THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER RIDERS OF THIS MOTORCYCLE WHO HAVE REPORTED FAILURES ON THE INTERNET FORUMS, IN SOME CASES HAVING FAILURE OF THE REPLACEMENT STRUT AS WELL AS THE ORIGINAL, JUST AS I HAVE. FURTHER SUPPORT IS EVIDENCED BY MY DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN WHO IS REPLACING THE CURRENT PARTIALLY CRACKED STRUT INFORMING ME THAT HE HAS REPLACED BROKEN STRUTS ON THIS MODEL MOTORCYCLE FOR OTHER CUSTOMERS. I DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER AND I DO NOT KNOW IF HE HAS HAD OTHER REPLACEMENT STRUTS FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10638483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE THE 2013 SPYDER RTL SINCE 11-23-2013. EVER SINCE GETTING IT THERE HAS BEEN EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE BIKE, ESPECIALLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHERE THE RADIATOR EXHAUST IS VENTED. THE BIKE GETS EXTREMELY HOT WHETHER SITTING STILL OR MOVING. VERY UNCOMFORTABLE ON THE RIGHT LEG AND ANKLE. UNDER THE SEAT AND THE CENTER STORAGE AREA GETS EXTREMELY HOT AFTER RIDING. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO THE RIDER.
NHTSA complaint #10631868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEAT BUILD UP UNDER BODY PANELS AND SEAT AT LOW AND HIGH SPEED, CAUSING BODILY DISCOMFORT, RYDER AND PASSENGER, TO THE POINT OF NEEDING MEDICATION TO THE AFFECTED AREAS COMING IN CONTACT WITH PANELS AND SEAT. GAS CAP HOT-TO-TOUCH, BUILDING UP PRESSURE IN TANK AND CAUSING GAS TO BLOW OUT OF FILLER WHEN REMOVING CAP. ERRATIC GAS FUMES AT ANY TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10628215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE IS EXCESSIVE HEAT ON THE RIGHT FOOT AND LOWER LEG AT ALL SPEEDS TO THE EXTENT THAT ONE HAS TO PUT THEIR FOOT ON THE PASSENGER FOOTBOARD TO KEEP THE DISCOMFORT AT A TOLERABLE LEVEL. THERE IS ALSO EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE FRONT AND SIDES OF THE SEAT ALSO TO THE POINT OF DISCOMFORT. AFTER RIDING FOR A SHORT TIME (WELL LESS THAN 30 MINUTES) IF THE SEAT IS RAISED, ONE CANNOT TOUCH ANY SURFACE UNDER THE SEAT FOR FEAR OF BEING BURNED.
NHTSA complaint #10627017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE AREA AROUND THE FRONT OF THE SEAT AND BODYWORK GETS EXTREMELY HOT, HOT ENOUGH THAT LEGS/THIGHS BECOME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND HAVE TO RAISE OFF OF SEAT WHENEVER STOPPED TO GET SOME RELIEF FROM THE HEAT. THIS IS ESPECIALLY APPARENT WHEN RIDING IN WARMER WEATHER AND SITTING AT STOPLIGHTS AND STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE HOT AIR COMING OUT OF THE LOWER RIGHT SIDE DIRECTLY ONTO RIGHT LEG AND BOOT IS ALSO BECOMES VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. THE STORAGE BOX IN FRONT OF THE SEAT IS BASICALLY UNUSABLE DUE TO THE HEAT AND THE BODYWORK ALSO BECOMES EXTREMELY HOT AT TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10627236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE FOR AS LITTLE AS 15 MINUTES IN WEATHER ABOVE 70 DEGREES F. (IN WARMER WEATHER THE CONDITION OCCURS MORE QUICKLY AND MORE SEVERELY) THE LOCATION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BIKE WHERE YOUR LEG IS POSITIONED BECOMES UNBEARABLY HOT. IN WARMER WEATHER 80 DEGREES F. OR MORE IT ACTUALLY BECOMES PAINFUL TO BARE SKIN. IT BECOMES SO HOT YOU MUST MOVE YOUR LEG AWAY AND INTO THE WIND TO PROVIDE SOME RELIEF. THIS FORCES YOU TO TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF OF THE FOOTREST AND AWAY FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, AFTER RIDING THE BIKE AS STATED ABOVE AND STOPPING FOR TRAFFIC OR TO STOP AND GET OFF YOU CAN CLEARLY SMELL GASOLINE VAPORS. WITH THE PANELS REMOVED I OBSERVED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER THE FUEL TANK. THE HEAT FROM THIS COMPONENT APPEARS TO BE HEATING UP THE FUEL TANK AND CREATING THE FUEL VAPORS YOU SMELL NEAR THE BIKE. TO REFUEL THE BIKE YOU MUST LIFT THE SEAT TO ACCESS THE FUEL CAP, AFTER RIDING IN THE CONDITIONS STATED ABOVE THIS FUEL CAP ALSO BECOMES VERY, VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH. AGAIN, ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS ARE MORE PRONOUNCED THE WARMER THE WEATHER. I BELIEVE BOTH THESE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE ARE A DANGER TO THE CONSUMER. THE FIRST CONDITION COULD CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION OR POSSIBLY EVEN A SLIGHT BURN TO THE SKIN. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE A DELAY IN REACHING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH HEAT CAUSING YOU TO MOVE YOUR LEG FROM THE VICINITY OF THE BRAKE. THE SECOND CONDITION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FIRE. BOTH THESE CONDITIONS SEEM TO RELATE TO ONE ROOT CAUSE, TOO MUCH HEAT UNDER THE BODY PANELS AND NO PLACE FOR IT TO GO. THE PROXIMITY OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO THE FUEL TANK IS ALSO A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO THESE CONDITIONS. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE BODILY HARM AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10627336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I FOUND THAT AFTER DRIVING MY MOTORCYCLE THE SEAT IS VERY HOT AND THE GAS CAP IS TOO HOT TO TOUCH. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED EXCESSIVE HEAT ON MY RIGHT LEG THAT GETS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH PROPER RIDING GEAR. THE BIKE HAS HAD NO MODIFICATION DONE TO IT. I LOVE RIDING IT BUT IT MAKES VERY HARD ON HOT DAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10622664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS YOU CLEARLY CAN SEE CAN AM SPYDER 2013 HAS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEAT I OWN ONE AND THIS MACHINE IS QUITE DANGEROUS I HAVE INSTALLED TEMP GAUGES ON MY MACHINE AND HAVE STUDIED THIS ISSUE THOUROUGLY ... I WOULD INVITE AN INVESTIGATOR TO COME VISIT AND SPEND 30 MINUTES WITH ME AND MY MACHINE . YOU WILL SEE FOR YOURSELF THE PROOF ... YOU CAN FEEL THE MACHINE AND MONITOR THE GAUGES I HAVE INSTALLED AND MAKE YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT. I THINK IT WILL SAVE A LIFE. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE BUT MY FEELING IS HAVING CONVERSATION.... THEY REALLY WON'T DO MUCH UNTIL FORCED. AS WE ALL KNOW ITS ABOUT THE MONEY, LIVES SEEM SECONDARY.
NHTSA complaint #10625787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS MY 3RD SPYDER. ALTHOUGH I AM HAPPY WITH IT, IT DOES EMIT HEAT IN WHICH SOMETIMES ON HOT SUMMER AND HUMID DAYS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE FEELING. THIS MODEL YEAR EMITS MORE HEAT THAN PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10622523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.