RoadVitals

2009 Can-Am Spyder RS

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Aug 8, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Dec 12, 2012
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Can-Am Spyder RS, most frequently naming the steering, fuel system and other / unspecified categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 7 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering1076.9%
  • Fuel system17.7%
  • Other / unspecified17.7%
  • Transmission17.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
12V582000

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

Dec 12, 2012
33,700 units potentially affected
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.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 13
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 8, 2019
Fire reported

I HAVE A 2009 CAN AM SPYDER RS AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN MAY 2014 . MY BIKE ONLY HAS 1900 MILES AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR SERVICE FOUR TIMES. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON MAY 12, 2014 AT MY WORK FABENSISD. I HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR 3 RECALLS AND GOT IT BK 3 MONTHS LATER FROM NOV. 2013 TO FEB 2014. DROVE IT TO WORK WHICH IS 5 MILES AWAY. THE SCHOOL HAS IT IN THEIR SURVEILLANCE CAMERA. SANTA TERESA WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR A PART THAT DOES NOT HAVE ANY WARRANTY. MY COMPLAIN IS WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR ANYTHING WHEN IT WAS THE MANUFACTURES FAULT? SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS *TR

NHTSA ID
11242598
Incident
May 12, 2014
Steering
Filed Mar 9, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 06/08/17*LJ *AS

NHTSA ID
10959806
Incident
Feb 21, 2017
Mileage
65,000 mi
Filed Jul 29, 2015
Fire reported

CPSC: X1460470A. 2009 CAN AM SPYDER RS. CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE BIKE SERVICED 4 TIMES AND RECALLED 3 IT CAUGHT FIRE. *LN

NHTSA ID
10745299
Steering
Filed Jul 23, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK DYNAMIC POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V162000 (STEERING) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SIMILAR STEERING DIFFICULTIES AS BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 799. UPDATED 12/06/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10735999
Incident
May 2, 2015
Mileage
799 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 19, 2013

STEERING LOCKED UP IN TURNS, 11 TIMES IN 6 MILES AT 45 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10525756
Incident
Jun 1, 2013
Mileage
2,000 mi
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Jun 30, 2011

RIDING ON A TWO LANE RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE STEERING PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT AND TOOK ME INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. HAD A ONCOMING CAR BEEN COMING IN MY DIRECTION I WOULD HAVE HIT IT HEAD ON AT APPROXIMATELY A 30 DEGREE ANGLE. THIS HAPPENED SO FAST AND I WAS TRYING TO COUNTER STEER BACK INTO MY LANE AND ALMOST FLIPPED WHEN THE STEERING RELEASED. I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH A 2008 CAN AM SPYDER. THIS PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED ACCORDING TO BRP, BUT IT IS STILL HAPPENING. THIS 2009 SPYDER WAS BOUGHT BAND NEW AND SHOWS THAT THE DPS WAS CHECK AND OR CHANGED BEFORE IT WAS SOLD TO ME. IT IS APPARENT THAT THE NEW UNIT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE NEW ONE. I ALSO WISH TO REPORT THE RANDOM SMELL OF FUEL WHICH CAUSES ME CONSIDERABLE WORRY SINCE MY 2008 CAN AM SPYDER WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED WHEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY BURST INTO FLAMES AS I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10411083
Incident
Jun 9, 2011
Mileage
4,879 mi
Steering
Filed May 10, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CAN-AM SPIDER ROADSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V162000 (STEERING) SEPTEMBER 2010 AND HAD BEEN TRYING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL SINCE THAT TIME. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND CONTINUALLY ADVISED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10399837
Incident
Sep 10, 2010
Steering
Filed Oct 26, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V162000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE RECALL PART WAS ON A MASSIVE BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REMEDY REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE SAFETY RECALL DEFECT. THERE WAS NO FAILURE MILEAGE.

NHTSA ID
10362478
Incident
Sep 17, 2010

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

REV87480

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Air scoop retrofit kits.

D109338

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Trailer module may fail.

Article 10-25

ENGINE

Technical Service Tip (TST) addressing that on some SE5 engines a high pitched or whining noise may be heard under specific RPM only. After investigation the cause of this noise is from a thrust washer vibrating and spinning in the HCM. Inspection of the HCM housing for wear is proposed; it may need to be replaced.

Article Radio 10

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

If a customer wants to change the radio pre-set channel number and is unable to do so, here is the reason this is happening.

Bulletin 2013-9

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Service bulletin informing dealers that a new procedure has been developed to improve the replacement of the tandem master cylinder (TMC) without the necessity of bleeding the whole brake system.

RC-2010-0015

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

BRP: ON THE CAN-AM ROADSTER, THE FUEL CAP FAILS TO SEAL PROPERLY, ON FUEL TANK FILLER NECK, CAUSING FUEL VAPORS AND IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MIGHT RESULT IN A FIRE AND NEEDS REPLACING. MODELS 2008-2012 CAN-AM SPYDER GS, RS, AND RT. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Can-Am Spyder RS by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016100—
2015000—
2014100—
2013400—
2012610—
2011510—
2010830—
2009Viewing131047.0
2008370042.6

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.