2008 Can-Am Spyder RS Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Can-Am Spyder RS, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering2248.9%
- Fuel system715.6%
- Engine511.1%
- Driver assistance36.7%
- Electrical36.7%
- Powertrain (other)36.7%
- Suspension12.2%
- Brakes12.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING, WHICH CALLED FOR THE SOFTWARE CLUSTER CONSOLE TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE RECEIVED THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO STEER THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE TAMPA BAY POWER SPORTS DEALER (13521 N FLORIDA AVENUE, TAMPA, FL; 813-968-7888) AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V162000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL AND WARRANTY, THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED REPAIRED AND WOULD NOT RECEIVE A SECOND REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THEN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE POWER STEERING FUSE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION; HOWEVER, A CHECK DPS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. ON ONE OCCASION, THE DPS WAS RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ROTOR ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. IN 2010, THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V162000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE BODY PANEL AREA CAUSING THE FUEL IN THE GAS TANK TO BOIL. *JS
CAN AM SPYDER WAS BEING RIDDEN BY OWNERS WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE GAS TANK HAD EXPLODED AND BIKE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES . THE MOTORCYCLE HAD BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP LESS THAN A MONTH BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND NOTHING WAS MENTIONED OF PROBLEMS WITH THE EVAPORATION CANISTER WHICH WE HAVE SINCE HEARD THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THIS MAKE AND YEAR. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE BRP COMPANY AND THEY HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A PROBLEM UNTIL THEY ISSUED A RECALL IN DECEMBER 2012. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED VERY EASILY HAD SOMEONE NOT SPOTTED THE FIRE UNDERNEATH THE SPYDER CLOSE TO THE GAS TANK AND ALERTED US TO GET OFF THE BIKE. WITHIN MINUTES THE BIKE WAS CONSUMED IN FLAMES AND THE FIRE DEPT. HAD TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. WE HAD ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE BIKE AND ALL RECALLS PERFORMED. WE STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET BRP TO RESPOND TO OUR CORRESPONDENCE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING ON I 75 NORTHBOUND IN TROY, MI, THE MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATED, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY 78 DEGREES OUTSIDE. IT WENT INTO LIMP MODE, CAUSING RAPID DECELERATION, NEARLY CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION, WHICH THE DRIVER BEHIND JUST AVOIDED HITTING ME. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY OTHER CAN AM SPIDER ALSO. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS A NORMAL THING, AND BOMBARDIER SAYS IT IS SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN IN EXTREME HEAT. BUT 78 DEGREES IS NOT EXTREME HEAT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER RS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER DRIVING 5 MPH. WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP; HOWEVER AN INSPECTION WAS NOT CONDUCTED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER AND HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT. AS I INVESTIGATED MORE INTO IT, I DISCOVERED MULTIPLE RECALLS LISTED FOR THIS PARTICULAR BIKE. I TOOK THE BIKE TO A CERTIFIED CAN AM DEALER IN ST AUGUSTINE IN MAY 2013 FIRST COAST POWER SPORTS. THEY KEPT THE BIKE THE FIRST TIME 62 DAYS, WHEN IT WAS RETURNED TO ME, I WAS ABLE TO USE FOR 1 WEEK BEFORE I HAD TO RETURN TO THE SHOP. WHEN IT WAS RETURNED TO ME THE SECOND TIME, I WAS ABLE TO KEEP FOR ABOUT A MONTH WHEN THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, WHEN I RETURNED IT TO THE SHOP, I WAS ADVISED THE BIKE NEEDED THE BRAKES BLED AND IT WOULD COST $700. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE BIKE WAS UNREPAIRABLE AND I NEEDED TO GET A DIFFERENT BIKE BY THIS DEALER SHIP. THE BIKE WAS SUPPOSE TO RETURNED TO ME DURING THE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND BUT THE DELIVERY DRIVER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. I WAS ASSURED I WOULD RECEIVE THE BIKE WITHIN THE WEEK. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL A WEEK LATER FROM THE NEW SERVICE MANAGER AND WAS TOLD THEY USED PARTS OFF MY BIKE TO REPAIR SOMEONE ELSES BIKE INSTEAD OF DELIVERING MY BIKE TO ME. SIX WEEKS LATER, I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY BIKE AS THEY ARE WAITING FOR A REPLACEMENT PART. I WAS TOLD THE PERSON WHO ORIGINALLY WORKED ON MY BIKE WAS NOT CERTIFIED TO WORK ON CAN AM PRODUCTS AND CAUSED MORE HARM THEN GOOD. I ATTEMPTED TO TALK WITH THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY AND HE REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION WITH ME. BOB (THE SERVICE MANAGER) KEEPS ADVISING ME THERE IS NOT PART AND UNSURE HOW LONG THE DELAY IS GOING TO BE. THE SPYDER IS MY PRIMARY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE LOST SHIFT OF WORK BECAUSE OF THE REPAIR DELAYS. I AM UNSURE EXACTLY HOW MANY PARTS WERE REMOVED FROM MY BIKE OR HOW MANY USED PARTS WERE PLACED ON MY BIKE WHICH MAY LEAD TO THE REASON THE REPAIRS WERE NOT EFFECTIVE. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THIS COMPANY IS DEALING IN STOLEN PARTS FOR PROFIT.A *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY CAN AM SPYDER SM5 ON THE FREEWAY ON 11/7/O9 IT PULL TO THE RIGHT INTO THE OTHER LANE IT FELT LIKE IT LOCK UP AND VERY HARD TO STRAIGHTENED WHEELS, IT HAPPEN ABOUT SIX TIMES IN FIVE MILE RADIUS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING, WHICH CALLED FOR THE SOFTWARE CLUSTER CONSOLE TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE RECEIVED THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO STEER THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE TAMPA BAY POWER SPORTS DEALER (13521 N FLORIDA AVENUE, TAMPA, FL; 813-968-7888) AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V162000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL AND WARRANTY, THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED REPAIRED AND WOULD NOT RECEIVE A SECOND REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
I WAS RIDING MY 2005 CANAM SPYDER MOTORCYCLE TO WORK AND ABOUT 2 BLOCKS AWAY WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT I HEARD A POP AND SAW A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE COME UP FROM UNDER THE COWLING. I IMMEDIATELY RUSHED TO MY WORK PARKING LOT (BECAUSE THERE WERE NO TREES OR ANYTHING FLAMMABLE AROUND) AND WENT INTO WORK TO GET SOME WATER TO EXTINGUISH THE SMALL FLAMES I SAW. BY THE TIME I GOT BACK OUTSIDE THE BIKE WAS ENGULFED AND MELTING. (THE OUTER SKIN IS MAINLY FIBERGLASS) I HAVE BEEN ON THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS POSTINGS OF FIRES ON THE MOTORCYCLES AND ALSO THE WATERCRAFT AND ATV'S THIS COMPANY MANUFACTURES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUTCH FAILED CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO STALL IN GEAR. BACK WHEEL LOCKED UP AND BIKE COULD NOT BE PUSHED OUT OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE CLUTCH FAILED IT RUINED THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION BEYOND REPAIR. *TR
BRP ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS SB-2009-01 IDENTIFYING FAILURE OF THE GEAR POSITION SENSORS ON SOME OF THEIR CAN AM SPYDER ROADSTERS. SYMPTOMS OF FAILURE INCLUDE "E" OR INCORRECT GEAR NUMBER INDICATED IN CLUSTER INDICATOR; INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING OPERATION; DIFFICULTY SHIFTING; "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING SCROLL IN CLUSTER INDICATOR. PRESENTED TO AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, UNSUCCESSFUL REMEDY WAS RESET OF GEAR POSITION SENSOR. PRESENTED TO SAME DEALER AFTER EXPIRATION OF WARRANTY, REMEDY WAS REPLACEMENT AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE IN EXCESS OF $200. BRP FACTORY TECH AT BRP EVENT INDICATED THAT REPLACEMENT WAS PROPER REMEDY. FAULTY ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER INSTALLED GEAR POSITION SENSORS ARE REPLACED WITH NEW DESIGNED PART FROM BRP ONLY AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING MY CAN AM SPYDER SM5 ON THE FREEWAY ON 11/7/O9 IT PULL TO THE RIGHT INTO THE OTHER LANE IT FELT LIKE IT LOCK UP AND VERY HARD TO STRAIGHTENED WHEELS, IT HAPPEN ABOUT SIX TIMES IN FIVE MILE RADIUS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER AND HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT. AS I INVESTIGATED MORE INTO IT, I DISCOVERED MULTIPLE RECALLS LISTED FOR THIS PARTICULAR BIKE. I TOOK THE BIKE TO A CERTIFIED CAN AM DEALER IN ST AUGUSTINE IN MAY 2013 FIRST COAST POWER SPORTS. THEY KEPT THE BIKE THE FIRST TIME 62 DAYS, WHEN IT WAS RETURNED TO ME, I WAS ABLE TO USE FOR 1 WEEK BEFORE I HAD TO RETURN TO THE SHOP. WHEN IT WAS RETURNED TO ME THE SECOND TIME, I WAS ABLE TO KEEP FOR ABOUT A MONTH WHEN THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, WHEN I RETURNED IT TO THE SHOP, I WAS ADVISED THE BIKE NEEDED THE BRAKES BLED AND IT WOULD COST $700. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE BIKE WAS UNREPAIRABLE AND I NEEDED TO GET A DIFFERENT BIKE BY THIS DEALER SHIP. THE BIKE WAS SUPPOSE TO RETURNED TO ME DURING THE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND BUT THE DELIVERY DRIVER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. I WAS ASSURED I WOULD RECEIVE THE BIKE WITHIN THE WEEK. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL A WEEK LATER FROM THE NEW SERVICE MANAGER AND WAS TOLD THEY USED PARTS OFF MY BIKE TO REPAIR SOMEONE ELSES BIKE INSTEAD OF DELIVERING MY BIKE TO ME. SIX WEEKS LATER, I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY BIKE AS THEY ARE WAITING FOR A REPLACEMENT PART. I WAS TOLD THE PERSON WHO ORIGINALLY WORKED ON MY BIKE WAS NOT CERTIFIED TO WORK ON CAN AM PRODUCTS AND CAUSED MORE HARM THEN GOOD. I ATTEMPTED TO TALK WITH THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY AND HE REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION WITH ME. BOB (THE SERVICE MANAGER) KEEPS ADVISING ME THERE IS NOT PART AND UNSURE HOW LONG THE DELAY IS GOING TO BE. THE SPYDER IS MY PRIMARY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE LOST SHIFT OF WORK BECAUSE OF THE REPAIR DELAYS. I AM UNSURE EXACTLY HOW MANY PARTS WERE REMOVED FROM MY BIKE OR HOW MANY USED PARTS WERE PLACED ON MY BIKE WHICH MAY LEAD TO THE REASON THE REPAIRS WERE NOT EFFECTIVE. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THIS COMPANY IS DEALING IN STOLEN PARTS FOR PROFIT.A *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .