RoadVitals

2012 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.
6
Latest Jan 15, 2018
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Can-Am Spyder RS, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 17 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

  • Engine228.6%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Fuel system114.3%
  • Exterior lighting114.3%
  • Powertrain (other)114.3%
  • Steering114.3%

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

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

Fuel system
Filed Jan 15, 2018
Fire reported

MY 2012 SPYDER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE RIDING IT IN WEST PEMBROKE PINES FLORIDA ON A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT I LOOKED DOWN TO FIND FLAMES COMING UP THROUGH THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT COVER AND THROUGH THE SIDE PANELS THANK GOD I WAS STOPPED AND SOME PEOPLE IN CARS HELPED ME PUT IT OUT NOW BRP SAYS IT'S NOT THERE PROBLEM BUT AFTER THE GAS CAP WAS CHANGED UNDER THE RECALL I COULD STILL SMELL GAS FUMES WHEN I CAME TO A STOP I WONDER HOW THEY CAN SAY IT'S NOT THERE PROBLEM AND DID / WON'T EVEN LOOK AT THE BIKE THAT'S A LOAD OF CRAP

NHTSA ID
11062761
Incident
Aug 6, 2017
Mileage
14,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 5, 2016

HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY SPYDER RT MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING. I BOUGHT THE MC 2/2012. HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHT RELAY REPLACED 4 TIMES SINCE 7/23/13. IN APRIL 2015, I WAS RIDING IN THE WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS AT NIGHT AND MY HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE SPYDER DEALER CALLED THE HOME OFFICE AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I FIRST HAD THE PROBLEM. I CALLED THE HOME OFFICE TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. AFTER ARGUING WITH TECHNICIAN HE HUNG UP ON ME. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE.

NHTSA ID
10863498
Incident
Jul 23, 2013
Mileage
6,867 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 26, 2014

I AM FILING A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ONGOING HEAT PROBLEM WITH MY 2012 RS-SE5 AND THE LACK OF URGENCY WITH BRP IN ASSISTING AND FIXING MY MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE PROVIDED WRITTEN COMMUNICATION TO BRP SINCE JANUARY OF THIS YEAR REGARDING THE EXCESSIVE HEAT PROBLEM SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS SPYDER IN MAY OF 2013 AS A NEW VEHICLE FROM A DEALER IN SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO OBTAIN A CASE NUMBER FROM THE BRP REP AND I HAVE DELIVERED THE BIKE TO A DEALER IN CUBA, MISSOURI AND I STILL AM WAITING FOR ANY CONTACT FROM BRP REGARDING THE WRITTEN REQUEST SENT TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT IN TALKING WITH THEM THEY HAVE HAD NO CONTACT WITH ANYONE FROM BRP. I NOT ONLY HAVE EXCESSIVE HEAT PROBLEMS BUT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SOLD TO ME WITH THE FUEL CAP THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL NOTICE. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY THE SELLING DEALER OR BRP THAT I SHOULD HAVE THIS CAP REPLACED. THANKFULLY I NOTICED THEIR DISREGARD WHEN READING ABOUT THE INVESTIGATIONS REGARDING THE FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE BRP PRODUCTS BECAUSE I OWNED A 2008 GS-SE5 FOR THREE YEARS THAT NEVER HAD THE HEAT ISSUES THAT I AM EXPERIENCING WITH THE 2012. I KNOW ABOUT RIGHT LEG HEAT AND I WEAR FULL MOTORCYCLE GEAR AND WITH THE NEW 2012 AND EVEN THAT PROTECTION IS NOT ENOUGH IN 70 DEGREE TEMPERATURES. THE HEAT IS EXTREME ON THE LEFT UPPER, MIDDLE, AND CENTER PANELS. ON A DAY WITH TEMPERATURES AT 80 DEGREES EVEN THE SEAT BECOMES HOT AND I HAVE A PAD OVER THE BRP SEAT. THE HEAT IS ALSO EXTREME ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I HAVE WRAPPED PIPES, REMOVE LOWER PANELS, ETC. AND STILL NO RELIEF. I DID NOT FILE MY COMPLAINT UNTIL NOW BECAUSE I WANTED TO GIVE BRP SOME ROOM TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT BUT I AM TIRED OF BEING IGNORED. I ALSO KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY RS 2012 OWNER WITH THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10628343
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Mileage
9,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 4, 2014

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 TO 50 MPH WITH THE DISPLAY SHOWING THAT THE BIKE WAS IN 4TH GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO A NEUTRAL STATE WHERE I COULD NOT SHIFT UP OR DOWN, COULD ONLY DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED ON A 2 LANE ROAD, DURING A SAND STORM AND MY LIFE AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD COULD HAVE BEEN AT STAKE. THIS IS THE 3RD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I HAVE HAD. FIRST INCIDENT IN 2012 I COULDN'T GET IT INTO GEAR, SECOND INCIDENT IN SEPT 2013, COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10618723
Incident
Jun 17, 2014
Mileage
7,800 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 17, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CAN-AM SPIDER RS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE LIMP HOME MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE MORE THAN 10 MPH. THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED TWO TIMES PREVIOUSLY. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 374. UPDATED 9/4/13 *CN

NHTSA ID
10508540
Incident
Apr 5, 2013
Mileage
374 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 28, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

5 MILES INTO A TEST RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE DEVELOPED A SHAKING IN THE FRONT END FROM SIDE TO SIDE THAT WAS FELT IN THE HANDLE BARS. BEFORE MOTORCYCLE COULD BE STOPPED FRONT WHEELS TURNED ON THEIR OWN CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO GO LEFT OF CENTER INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10495008
Incident
Aug 8, 2012

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.

CR-000117416

ENGINE

BRP: POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES AT LOW SPEED, ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURE WILL RISE AND INCREASE BURN SKIN OR VEHICLE FIRE DURING AMBIENT HOT CONDITIONS. MODEL 2013 ROADSTER. *PE

D109338

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Trailer module may fail.

SB-2014-0001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

BRP: ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, NEED TO HAVE THE FRONT FUSE BOX COVERS REPLACED WITH AN IMPROVED COVER IN PRODUCTION AND ALSO, UPDATE ECM SOFTWARE (P1614, HI TEMP LAMPS, LIMP HOME MODE). *PE

POSTING 12-20

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

POSTING DISCUSSING THE TWO RECALLS POSTED ON TRANSPORT CANADA AND NHTSA CONCERNING THE FUEL VAPOR CANISTER VENT HOSE TO BE REPLACE OR RE-ROUTE AND FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE FUEL CAP MAY NOT FIT ONTO THE FUEL TANK FILTER NECK.

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.

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
2012Viewing610
2011510
2010830
2009131047.0
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.