2013 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 2013 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
- 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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
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
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
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.
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 .