RoadVitals

2013 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.
4
Latest Jun 14, 2017
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.
0
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.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Can-Am Spyder RS, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and driver assistance categories. 42 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

  • Engine330.0%
  • Fuel system220.0%
  • Driver assistance110.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Body & structure110.0%
  • Exterior lighting110.0%
  • Powertrain (other)110.0%

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

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

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

EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 14, 2017

TOTAL AND COMPLETE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I WAS DOING 40 MPH UP A MOUNTAIN ROAD AND THE ENTIRE MACHINE SHUTDOWN. IT BUCKED ME SLIGHTLY FROM THE SEAT. NO POWER. NO TRANSMISSION. NO WARNING. COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF MACHINE. IF I HAD BEEN DOING INTERSTATE SPEEDS OR ON A MUCH BUSIER HIGHWAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED AND MOST LIKELY EJECTED OVER THE HANDLEBARS AND QUITE POSSIBLY EVEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THE VERY ABRUPT STOP CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. FORTUNATELY, I HAD SOMEONE BEHIND ME ON ANOTHER SPYDER WHO RECOGNIZED THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKEN INTO PIECES. MY 2013 IS NOT THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BRP AND WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR RESPONSE. THERE ARE STILL 2013 HEAT ISSUE RECALL BIKES WHICH ARE BEING SOLD, THAT HAVE NOT HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED. MY BIKE WAS JUST SERVICED AT 14,000 MILES. THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED AND LOOKED AT SO OTHERS DO NOT GET INTO A LIFE-ENDING INCIDENT BECAUSE OF TOTAL MACHINE SHUTDOWN WHILE THE BIKE IS OPERATIONAL.

NHTSA ID
10995209
Incident
Apr 10, 2017
Mileage
16,100 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 20, 2016

I AM WRITING THIS LETTER IN REGARDS TO ISSUES OCCURRING WITH MY 2013 CAN AM SPYDER ST-S. I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE BRAND NEW IN 2013 FROM HOUMA, LA PERFORMANCE POWER SPORTS. FOR THE LAST YEAR OR BETTER, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINING ON ONCE THE CYCLE ENGINE IS OFF. SECONDLY, THE MOTORCYCLE IS CONSTANTLY GOING INTO 'LIMP MODE' WHILE RIDING. (VSS FAULT). THE MOTORCYCLE DECREASES IN SPEED APPROXIMATELY TO A MAXIMUM 70 MPH. LASTLY, THE 'CRUISE CONTROL' WILL NOT SET. THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY EMBARRASSING TO SAY THE LEAST AND IT POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IN PROCEEDING TO DO MY OWN RESEARCH, IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ROUGHLY NINETY-SEVEN (97) FORMAL COMPLAINTS MADE IN REGARDS TO 2013 CAN AM SPYDER, MOST INCLUDED THE SAME ISSUES LISTED HERE. THAT WAS QUITE ASTONISHING TO ME. IN ALL OF MY FRUSTRATION, I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS CALLS AND VISITS TO NEW ORLEANS POWER SPORTS LOCATION. THE RESULTS HAVE ALL BEEN MET WITH UNCONVINCING DETAILS. TELEPHONE CALLS HAVE GONE UNANSWERED, SPECULATIONS WERE MADE, ACCUSATIONS MADE WITHOUT PROPER DIAGNOSES. I AM UNAWARE IF THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN THROUGH A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AT NEW ORLEANS POWER SPORT. IN ADDITION, IT WAS LEARNED THERE WERE TWO RECALLS MADE: (1) 15V095000 FOR ENGINE; (2) 13V38600 FOR BRAKES AND HYDRAULICS. RECALL (1) WAS DONE SUCCESSFULLY THE HEATING SHIELDS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, RECALL (2) WAS NOT MADE KNOWN UNTIL RECENTLY. AFTER HAVING GONE THROUGH ALL OF THIS, IT APPEARS THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS UNAWARE OF CURRENT UPDATES ABOUT THE PRODUCTS THEY SERVICE. NEVERTHELESS, I AM AT THE END OF THE ROAD! AT THIS POINT, I AM NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER! THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 08/04/16. *JB

NHTSA ID
10850629
Incident
Feb 26, 2016
Body & structureEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 30, 2014
1 injury reported

1. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE UPPER CALF AREAS OF THE RIDER IS EXCESVIE AND HAS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT BURN TO MY LEFT CALF. WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC THE HEAT EMITTED IS UNBEARABLE AND I HAVE TO MOVE MY FEET FROM THE FOOT PEGS TO AVOID BEING BURNED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DESIGNED TO DO THIS SO I AM FORCED INTO AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION NO MATTER WHAT WHEN STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. 2. THE VEHICLE EMITS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER A DRIVE AND THEN BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AS THE VAPORS SEEM SUFFIENT TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. BECAUSE OF THIS I LEAVE THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN TO PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM AN EXPLOSION. *JS

NHTSA ID
10669196
Incident
Jul 22, 2014
Mileage
800 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 24, 2014

WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS UP OVER 80 DEGREES THE HOT AIR COMING BACK ON YOUR FEET AND LEGS WILL GIVE YOU OR YOUR PASSENGER FIRST DEGREE BURNS EVEN WITH HEAVY LEVI'S ON. AFTER PARKING THE BIKE THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. THIS OCCURS ON EVEN VERY SHORT RIDES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627913
Incident
Aug 24, 2014
Mileage
1,800 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

Service Bulletin 2016-7

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Electric Throttle Actuator Replacement The Electric Throttle Actuator (ETA) is now available for spare part. In case of any ETA defect, it is not necessary anymore to replace the complete throttle body assembly.

A2013-SE5

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; POWER TRAIN

Not shifting when engine gets warm.

REV87480

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Air scoop retrofit kits.

40182

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Technical Service Tip (TST): A very limited quantity of vehicles may have been produced with incorrectly routed electrical wires and brake lines. Dealerships has received the specific instructions concerning the inspection, repair and warranty procedures for this situation. Letter to dealers sent on December 3, 2012 is attached.

87480REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Technical Service Tip (TST) (revision): Customer may complain of excessive heat felt on the lateral panels in certain riding conditions. Steps to install panels. Make sure the unit has the 2013-9 Warranty Campaign ECM update perform prior to the installation of these panels.

87480

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL SERVICE TIP (TST): CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF EXCESSIVE HEAT FELT ON THE LATERAL PANELS IN CERTAIN RIDING CONDITIONS. SOLUTION IS TO INSTALL THE AIR SCOOP PANEL KIT. MAKE SURE THE UNIT HAS THE 2013-9 WARRANTY CAMPAIGN ECM UPDATE PERFORM PRIOR TO THE INSTALLATION OF THESE PANELS.

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
2013Viewing400
2012610
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.