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CAN-AM · NHTSA safety record

2011 CAN-AM Spyder RT

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

29

Complaints

0

Crashes

5

Fires

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2011 CAN-AM Spyder RT have filed 29 safety complaints with NHTSA between June 2011 and August 2023. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 11 of them (38%). The typical failure was reported at 2,935 miles, the median across the 22 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 2 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (2)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

12V582000 · December 12, 2012

The defect
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Can-Am Spyder GS, RS, and RT series vehicles. The fuel cap may not fit onto the fuel tank filler neck, preventing it from sealing properly.
The risk
If the fuel cap does not seal properly, it may leak fuel vapors. Fuel vapors in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire and personal injury.
The remedy
BRP will notify owners and send them a replacement fuel cap, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in mid-January 2013. Owners may contact BRP AT 1-888-638-5397.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. · up to 33,700 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY

11V081000 · February 7, 2011

The defect
BRP IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SPYDER RT SM5 ROADSTERS. WHILE DOWN SHIFTING IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO INADVERTENTLY ENGAGE REVERSE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE REVERSE BUTTON DUE TO A DEFECTIVE REVERSE ACTUATOR CABLE.
The risk
IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD, THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK AND THE ENGINE COULD STALL. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THE VEHICLE COULD BACK UP. A VEHICLE STALL WITHOUT WARNING OR AN EXPECTED MOVEMENT IN REVERSE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL VALIDATE PROPER OPERATION OF THE REVERSE ACTUATOR AND IF DEFECTIVE, THE REVERSE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALLBEGAN ON FEBRUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRP AT 1-888-638-5397.

BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC. · up to 378 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 29.

ENGINE 11 38%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10 34%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5 17%
POWER TRAIN 4 14%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3 10%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2 7%
STRUCTURE 2 7%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 3%
STEERING 1 3%
VISIBILITY 1 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 9.

2011 2014 2023
2011 to 2023

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

1 injured · fire · 16,500 miles

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

1 injured · 238 miles

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 injured · 12,000 miles

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VENT SYSTEM ON THE GAS TANK. THE CHARCOAL VAPOR CANISTER FILLS UP WITH LIQUID FUEL AND IT CAN'T VENT FUMES. WHICH CAUSE THE AIR BOX TO VENT RAW GAS FUMES INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND OUT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SADDLE (SEAT). THAN RIGHT IN TO THE DRIVERS FACE, WHICH CAUSES BURNING EYES AND CHEST PAINS. AND "I WOULD GUESS A FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD" THE LAST 3500 MILES I HAVE HAD THREE CHARCOAL CANISTERS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE ONE INSTALLED NOW HAS FAILED. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10454644. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

1 injured · 1,100 miles

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. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10650704. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
While driving vehicle it will randomly shift into reverse. It first happened 8/ 2021 Dealer replaced reverse actuator It was returned the following week for the same problem, We got it back and a month later and it has done it again BRP has acknowledged the problem because there was another vehicle that has had the same or similar problem. They have manufactured a new part to fix this issue. I cannot stress enough how dangerous it can be to have your vehicle to drop into reverse as you are driving at 30 to 40mph. I dont understand how BRP does not see this as an important issue to be addressed. It remains to be seen whether they are going to charge for this or not. As long as bike has been

NHTSA complaint 11442314, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
I COMPLETED THE FIRST OIL CHANGE ON MY 2011 RT TRIKE (MOTORCYLE) (I PURCHASED IT FROM A DEALER USED SO IT MAY BE THE FIRST OIL CHANGE EVER PERFORMED SINCE IT ONLY HAS 3500 MILES. I FOUND A SMALL SCREW( LIKE A HEX SCREW) PART INSIDE THE OIL PAN MAGNET. SEE THE ATTACHED PHOTO. NO AWARE THAT THE ENGINE IS SELF DESTROYING FROM THE INSIDE. IT IS A SMALL BLACK COLOR BOLT A BIT LARGER THAN A RICE GRAIN IT HAS THREADS ON THE OUTISIDE AND A HEX IMPRESSION ON ONE SIDE AND IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN DAMAGED SINCE IT WAS STUCK TO THE OIL PAN PLUG MAGNET ALL THIS TIME. AFTER FURTHER READING THE SPYDER OWNERS FORUM WE LEARNED THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER OWNERS. IN THE NEW ONES THE BRP

NHTSA complaint 11320128, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

18,000 miles

I OWN A 2011 CANAM SPYDER RT SM5 AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE BIKE GOING INTO REVERSE WHILE SHIFTING. I FOUND A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING THIS ABOUT THE "REVERSE ACTUATOR CABLE", ON RECALL FOR THE 2011 MODELS, BUT WHEN I PUT MY VIN # IN IT COMES UP AS "NO RECALLS ". I'M CLEARLY HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER 6 MONTHS NOW AND NEED TO KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING THIS REPAIRED UNDER THAT RECALL?

NHTSA complaint 11164894. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · 2,935 miles

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · 2,935 miles

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*JS

NHTSA complaint 11032072. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the CAN-AM Spyder RT

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2018 12 2 —
2016 9 1 1
2013 102 2 —
2012 41 1 —
2010 24 4 —

Every CAN-AM on this site — 13 vehicles, 25 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst