2012 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 2012 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
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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 .