33 of the
399 complaints filed about the Can-Am Spyder RT
are about the braking system —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2013.
The contact owns a 2017 Can-Am Spyder RT. The contact stated that while driving with a passenger at highway speeds, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floor. The contact was able to slow down and stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while avoiding a nearby crash. The contact stated that the failure almost caused a deadly crash. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure and agreed to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed control module. The contact was informed that the control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer had previously performed an unknown recall repair a month prior to the failure. The dealer where the vehicle was purchased was contacted, and the contact was informed that the braking system was serviced two months prior to the sale of the vehicle. The dealer contacted the manufacturer, and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The dealer was informed that the technical investigators confirmed that the failure was a known defect that occurred during manufacturing. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 16,531.
NHTSA complaint #11708862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX] at approximately [XXX] I was riding my 2024 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited on [XXX] . Upon approaching the intersection of [XXX] and [XXX] I began to slow down as the light was changing to red. At this time, people in vehicles in the the left lane began beeping their horn and pointing at me and the motorcycle. As I looked down I saw flames shooting up my left ankle and leg and rising up under the seat where the gas tank is located. I immediately pulled the motorcycle over to the shoulder of [XXX] and got off. A truck driver passing by gave me a fire extinguisher and I was able to put the fire out without any injuries. The fire went up under the seat and under the front cowling into the instrument panel. I had it towed to Maddie's Motor Sports on [XXX] in the Town of Spencerport, NY. They contacted Bombardier Recreational Products. Inc (BRP) who asked for photos from Maddie's as well as an accident/incident report to be completed by me. I did so and turned it in to Maddie's on August 5th. Shortly thereafter, the BRP representative - Bruno Bilodeau made a decision that it was an insurance issue and not a warranty issue despite the fact that he never physically inspected the motorcycle. This motorcycle had approximately 5100 miles on it at the time of the fire and was still under the manufacture's warranty (until July 2026). In addition I purchased multiple Extended Warranties to cover the motorcycle through the majority of the length of the loan. Calls and e-mails to BRP have gone unanswered. It is my position that BRP owes me a new motorcycle or they can fix mine. Mr. Bilodeau said the fire was caused by the filler cap not being secure and he could tell by a photo that was sent to him by Maddie's because he could see where fuel ran down the side of the gas tank. He's wrong - I made sure the cap was secure after fill up - it clicks when secure and I double check. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11682381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
7/1/2022 The warning came on the dash as brake failure. Towed to the dealer, RideNow PowerSports of Daytona Beach Florida , stayed with them for almost 5 months, returned on 11/23/2022. I called CanAm customer service and was given a case#02973019. I was told the brake module was replaced. On 2/16/2023 there was another warning on the dash of brake failure. Towed to dealer. On 5/21/2023 another warning on dash of brake failure. Towed to different dealer, Seminole PowerSports Sanford Florida. Still at this dealership as of 7/15/2023. Called CanAm each time to notify them of brake issue. It was elevated to their safety department to investigate with a new case#03200749. The second dealer found that the brake line was epoxied at some point not repaired. If my brakes had failed on the road I could have been injured or injured others.
NHTSA complaint #11532422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Multiple failures of electronic parking brake release in which pressing release button results in the parking brake light flashing repeatedly (an error indicator) and parking brake does not release. Sometimes works again after turning cycle off and back on but this is second time that has not worked and I have had to crawl under with a wrench and manually remove the cable from the holder to drive to dealer. Once released that way, the button worked again for the dealer and they insisted they couldn’t replicate, wouldn’t replace switch or servo motor despite error fault codes. Suggested slightly low battery voltage might be to blame but I use a trickle charger. Replaced battery anyway. Happened again less than 2 weeks later, in a parking lot away from home. Dangerous because you cannot move cycle without undoing the parking brake cable and then you don’t have a parking brake, which it needs because it is an automatic transmission and will roll even if in gear if the engine isn’t running. I have seen numerous reports of this problem on Can-Am Spyder message boards. Either switch is faulty or servo motor is faulty. I can’t MOVE the bike to get it home or to the dealer without taking action that temporarily fixes the problem but they won’t fix it unless it is doing it for them. Despite numerous reports of this problem. I feel there needs to be a recall of 2018 and up Spyder RT Limited models to address this issue across all owners.
NHTSA complaint #11498878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Spyder brake switch started failing with less than 14K miles on the vehicle. The driver my wife, did not know it was failing, only an engine code VSS would appear and the vehicle would go into limp home mode, until it could be restarted. Checking online forms, there were several post about the brake switch. I check in our garage and discovered I could push the brake pedal and sometimes there would be a two second delay before the lights would come on. Pressing harder on the brakes made them flicker on and off. At times only half the brake lights would come on. The brake switch is located four inches off the pavement and exposed to road grime. The piston only has an O-ring and lacks a rubber boot to keep debris from entering the switch. (Like my Harley Davidson motorcycle has.) The brake switch part # 710005480 is about $45 and an two hours labor to install. The new replacement switch is #710008326, but it looks just like the switch I took off the Can Am Spyder. Some of my research showed that this brake switch has been used on most if not all Spyders and Ryker motorcycles produced by Can Am in the last few years. I did post this issue on a Spyder Facebook group and within 24 hours eight people stated they had the same issue with their new Spyder, which was repaired under warranty. I just believe it's a bad design for an exposed part four inches off the pavement. Also my wife stepping on the brakes and the brake lights not working for two seconds put her in danger of being struck by another vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11483449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
EMERGENCY BRAKE SOMETIMES DOES NOT RELEASE AND YOU HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE IT AT THE REAR HUB TO RELEASE IT.THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO ME, I KNOW OF SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE ALSO, DIFFERENT MODELS AND YEARS
NHTSA complaint #11344104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS AND FAILED TO EITHER ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE. FAILURE TO ENGAGE PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AFTER STARTING AND IN GEAR. FAILURE TO ENGAGE ALLOWS THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AFTER STOPPING, TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, AND RELEASING THE MANUAL FOOT BRAKE. IN ORDER TO STABILIZE THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING IF THE EBRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE, THE RIDER MUST RELEASE THE MANUAL FOOT BRAKE, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING, AND PLACE A CHOCK UNDER TIRE(S). IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE RIDER FROM BEING STRANDED IF THE EBRAKE FAILS TO DISENGAGE, THE RIDER MUST STABILIZE THE VEHICLE FIRST, MANUALLY REMOVE THE REAR BRAKE SPRING, AND LOOSEN THE BRAKE CABLE NUTS TO RELEASE BRAKE CABLE TENSION. THIS REQUIRES A SPRING TOOL AND TWO 12MM WRENCHES. WHILE THIS WILL ALLOW THE RIDER TO NOT BE STRANDED, IT CREATES A HAZARD WHEN THE RIDER ARRIVES AT THEIR DESTINATION AND MUST PARK THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11338776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON 7/11/2019 MY 2012 CANAM RT SE5 STARTED THROWING OUT VSS FAULT CODE, I TOOK IT HOME AND CONTACTED MY LOCAL CANAM SERVICE COMPANY. THEY ASKED ME TO BRING IT IN WHICH I DID THE NEXT DAY. ENROUTE TO THE SHOP IT BEGAN SHOWING ABS LIMP HOME MODE BUT WAS NOT IN LIMP HOME MODE. ONCE CONNECTED TO THE SHOP COMPUTER I WAS ADVISED THE BIKE WAS THROWING OUT NUMEROUS CODES AND FALSE CODES. THEN I WASXADVISED THIS BIKE HAS HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE 2013 IP TO AND INCLUDING REPLACING THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AT 15000+ MILES. SINCE PURCHASING THW BIKE IT CONSTANTLY SHORTS THE HORN OUT AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUSE. IN ADDITION TO THE VSS/ABS CODES THE SHOCK COMPRESSOR HAD STARTED COMING ON AND OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11232054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE STOPPING AFTER 25 MILES. THE REAR BRAKES EMITTED A BURNING ODOR AND FAILED. THE REAR CALIPER AND ROTOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED 4 TIMES SINCE NEW WITH ONLY 6500 TOTAL MILES ON VEHICLE. ROTORS BECOME WARPED AND DISCOLORED FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT OCCASIONALLY GLOWING ORANGE AT NIGHT. THESES BRAKES HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES WITH FACTORY PARTS AND CERTIFIED MECHANIC REPAIRS. TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES REQUESTING TO OPEN A CASE WITH BRP THAT IS QUICKLY IGNORED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO RIDE AND OBVIOUSLY HAS A FACTORY DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM. SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OR DEATH IS LIKELY TO RESULT.
NHTSA complaint #11219050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
08 CAN AM SPYDER .PARK BRAKE WARNING ON .PARK BRAKE NOT HOLDING . BUT BRAKES LOCKED UP AFTER BACKING OUT OF GARAGE. WAITED ABOUT 20 MIN AND THEY RELEASED. BUT LOCKED UP AGAIN WHEN APPLIED FOOT BRAKE . EACH TIME I USED FOOT BRAKE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN.HAVE NOT RIDDEN SINCE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11210216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
JUST PURCHASED MY SPYDER RT ......NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AFTER A DRIVE ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I OPENED MY FUEL CAP AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL WAS WAY HOTTER THAN IT SHOULD BE. ALSO REAR BRAKES ARE VERY NOISY, AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11144620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXCESS HEAT HAS MELTED THE BRAKE LINE TWICE, MASTER CYL. MELTED, BRAKS GET SOFT AND INHIBIT STOPPING POWER, ELECTRICAL WIRINGIS DEGRADING FROM EXCESS HEAT, GAS TANL GET SO HOT THE GAS STARTS TO BOIL, PANELS ARE MELTING AND WARPING FROM EXCESS HEAT. THE UNIT HAS BEEN DECLARED UN SAFE TO RIDE. BRP REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY ISSUES, ALL RECALLS AND UPGRADES HAVE BEEN DONE AND THE PROBLEM IS JUST GETTING WORST, BRP, WILL NOT FIX ONLY OFFERS TO HIDE THE COMETIC DAMAGE
NHTSA complaint #11114334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CAN-AM SPYDER RT LIMITED. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE BRAKES ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED OR DUPLICATED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE THE DEALER, THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FIVE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800.
NHTSA complaint #10990860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, A BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE REQUIRED A LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING BENEATH THE VEHICLE. FUMES OF SMOKE WERE SEEN BENEATH THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V386000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WERE MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10891582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL FUMES AROUND THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE ABS AND THE EBD DEFAULT WERE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10735184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.