RoadVitals

2010 Can-Am Spyder RT Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
24
Latest Sep 19, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Can-Am Spyder RT, 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

  • Steering827.6%
  • Engine517.2%
  • Transmission413.8%
  • Brakes413.8%
  • Powertrain (other)26.9%
  • Fuel system26.9%
  • Exterior lighting13.4%
  • Driver assistance13.4%
  • Airbags13.4%
  • Suspension13.4%

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

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2010 Can-Am Spyder RT. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel became firm. The power steering and parking brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

NHTSA ID 11545404 · filed Sep 19, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CAN-AM ROADSTER SPYDER RTSM5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DYNAMIC POWER STEERING AND LIMP HOME MODE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V162000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ID 10722855 · filed Jun 2, 2015
All 8 reports naming steering

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

EXTREME HEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE NEAR MY FEET. INSTALLED FANCAN, WITH NO RESULT. ALSO, HEAT IS EXPERIENCED AROUND THE SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10626680 · filed Aug 20, 2014

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN GARAGE AFTER RIDE ON A HOT DAY. ASKED LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOT TO OVERFILL FUEL AS IT WOULD OVERFLOW INTO A CANISTER. SO I NEVER OVERFILL. BUT AFTER SEVERAL MORE INSTANCES RIDING ON HOT DAYS I ALWAYS SMELL GAS AND HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE FUEL IN THE TANK IS BOILING. YOU CAN OPEN THE CAP AND SEE IT. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE PURCHASE IN MAY2011. DEALER TOLD ME MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR NEW GAS CAP. BUT WE HAVE BEEN CONCERNED SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS BIKE, GAS FUMES IN THE SAME ROOM WITH A WATER HEATER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10625899 · filed Aug 18, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CA-AM / ROADSTER SPYDER 2010 RTS SE5 TRANSMISSION. SINCE PURCHASE THE ROADSTER HAS BEING HAVING ON GOING STALLING ISSUES WHILE OPERATING. THIS ROADSTER WITH THE SE5 TRANSMISSION REQUIRES THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE NEUTRAL GEAR CAN BE ENGAGED FOR A RESTART. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED WHILE OPERATING IN TRAFFIC AND PUTS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AT RISK FROM A REAR END COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10386930 · filed Mar 8, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CAN-AM SPYDER RT SE5 AUDIO ROADSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SQUEALLING SOUND WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V232000 (POWER TRAIN: CLUTCH ASSEMBLY). WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 900.

NHTSA ID 10346769 · filed Aug 2, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V159000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR CONTROL: FOOT CONTROLS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,626.

NHTSA ID 10461655 · filed Jun 13, 2012

RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS ON MY 2010 CAN-AM SPYDER RT SE5 CONCERNING POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE. HAVE CALLED THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THE REPAIR PARTS REQUIRED. THE DEALER STATED THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AT LEAST 4 WEEKS FOR PARTS TO MAKE REQUIRED REPAIRS BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY. THERE IS NO EXPECTED DATE WHEN THE DEALER WILL RECEIVE THE PARTS. THE RECALL LETTER STATES, "THIS CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH." BASED ON THIS WARNING I NO LONGER RIDE MY CAN-AM SPYDER AND THE DEALER CAN GIVE ME NO ASSISTANCE. WHAT CAN I DO TO FORCE BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS TO HONOR THEIR RECALL? *JS

NHTSA ID 10457183 · filed May 2, 2012

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAN-AM SPYDERS WITH THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC "SE5" TRANSMISSION CAN LURCH FORWARD AND RAPIDLY DECELERATE WHEN THE THROTTLE IS MOSTLY OPEN AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT BUTTON IS PRESSED TO SHIFT TO THE NEXT HIGHER GEAR. OPENING THE THROTTLE FOR QUICK ACCELERATION, WHEN MERGING INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, FOR INSTANCE, RESULTS IN FORCES THAT PUSH A RIDER'S BODY TOWARD THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE. WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE TRANSMISSION DROPS TO NEUTRAL SUDDENLY AND FOR MORE SEVERAL SECONDS RESULTING IN THE RIDERS' BODIES BEING ACCELERATED FORWARD RAPIDLY--OPPOSITE THE ACCELERATING FORCES--IN AN UNSAFE MANNER THAN CAN RESULT IN NEAR EJECTION FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. ALSO, WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, THE MOTORCYCLE DECELERATES RAPIDLY, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A REAR-END COLLISION, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT THE DRIVER WAS INTENTIONALLY ACCELERATING QUICKLY FOR A MANEUVER SUCH AS MERGING OR A LANE CHANGE INTO FASTER TRAFFIC. THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, USUALLY WHEN THE SPYDER IS COLD, I.E. WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF STARTUP. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN BETWEEN 27 AND 50 DEGREES, THOUGH I DO NOT KNOW IF THE ACTUAL AIR TEMPERATURE CONTRIBUTES TO THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID 10382068 · filed Feb 9, 2011

HAD TROUBLE PUTTING IT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY (DAILY). COMING TO A STOP IT ACTED LIKE THE CLUTCH WAS NOT ENGAGING AND THEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. COULD NOT GET IT STARTED UNTIL I JUST HELD THE STARTER SWITCH, LET THE BIKE JERK ALONG AND THEN START. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE CERAMIC CLUTCH BEARINGS, AND THEY WOULD CHANGE THEM OUT WITH STEEL BEARINGS. ARE THEY ALL LIKE THIS? COULD FIND NO RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10330359 · filed May 13, 2010

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

POSSIBLE DPS FUME CANISTER CONCERN ON RECALL. FUEL CAP SEEMS TO ALLOW WATER INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK? WHICH THEN CAUSES THE BIKE TO SPUTTER AND NOT WANT TO "BREATH." WHEN THE BIKE IS WARMING UP, IT'S SPITTING AND SPUTTERING, DOES NOT WANT TO IDLE PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID 11235018 · filed Jul 26, 2019

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN GARAGE AFTER RIDE ON A HOT DAY. ASKED LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOT TO OVERFILL FUEL AS IT WOULD OVERFLOW INTO A CANISTER. SO I NEVER OVERFILL. BUT AFTER SEVERAL MORE INSTANCES RIDING ON HOT DAYS I ALWAYS SMELL GAS AND HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE FUEL IN THE TANK IS BOILING. YOU CAN OPEN THE CAP AND SEE IT. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE PURCHASE IN MAY2011. DEALER TOLD ME MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR NEW GAS CAP. BUT WE HAVE BEEN CONCERNED SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS BIKE, GAS FUMES IN THE SAME ROOM WITH A WATER HEATER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10625899 · filed Aug 18, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CANCEL TURN SIGNALS (LEFT OR RIGHT), IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THE OPPOSITE TURN SIGNAL WILL BE ACTIVATED RATHER THAN CANCELING. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO CHECK THE DASH FOR TURN SIGNAL CANCELLATION. IT IS COMMON TO HAVE THIS OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES WITH EACH CANCELLATION ATTEMPT, CAUSING THE TURN SIGNALS TO ALTERNATE LEFT & THEN RIGHT MULTIPLE TIMES ALL WHILE TRYING TO CANCEL IT. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND SEVERAL SECONDS OF THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION IS OFTEN REQUIRED TO SUCCESSFULLY CANCEL TURN SIGNALS. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE DRIVER IS NOT WATCHING THE ROAD AND TRAFFIC AND ALSO BECAUSE THE DRIVER IS SENDING CONFUSING SIGNALS OF HIS/HER INTENT TO OTHER DRIVERS. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED OR WHILE STOPPED. THIS PROBLEM CAN OCCUR WITH EVERY ATTEMPT TO CANCEL THE TURN SIGNAL. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHILE WEARING GLOVES. *KB

NHTSA ID 10429271 · filed Oct 10, 2011

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS, CAN-AM ROADSTER DYNAMIC POWER STEERING UNIT WHEREIN A FORCE GREATER THAN EXPECTED TO INITIATE THE TURNING OF THE STEERING HANDLEBAR OF THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT ITS TRAJECTORY MAY STEER THE VEHICLE OUT OF LANE WHICH INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH WITH OTHER TRAFFIC OR OF A DRIVE OFF THE ROAD SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10355774 · filed Sep 15, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. UPON STARTING UP THE MOTORCYCLE, A FAILURE OCCURED IN WHICH THE THE AIR BAG FOR THE SUSPENSION OVER INFLATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POSITION SENSOR FAILED CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO FILL TO CAPACITY WITHOUT WARNING AND OTHER COMPONENTS FAILED ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUSPENSION. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT IF THE MANUFACTURER APPROVED THE MODIFICATION, THERE NEEDED TO BE AN INSTALLATION OF A RELEASE VALVE. THE MANUFACTURER'S TECHNICIAN STATED THAT A RELEASE VALVE WAS NOT PART OF THE DESIGN FOR THIS MODEL AND WAS AWARE THAT THE SENSOR FAILURE CAUSED THE AIR COMPRESSOR TO RECEIVE MORE AIR THAN NECESSARY WHICH CAUSED ADDITIONAL FAILURES. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SPRING STOPPER, NEW VALVES, NEW LEVELING ARMS, THE SHOCKS, A CAP, NEW SPRINGS, A GUIDE SPRING, URETHANE CUSHION, ONE SHOCK, A FLANGE HEX SCREW, 2 SPACERS, 1 SHOCK ABSORBER, SCREW HEX FLANGES, 2 NUTS, 2 HEX FLANGES AND THE POSITION SENSOR. A TECHNICIAN ALSO TEST DROVE THE MOTORCYCLE AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ID 10715177 · filed May 7, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. UPON STARTING UP THE MOTORCYCLE, A FAILURE OCCURED IN WHICH THE THE AIR BAG FOR THE SUSPENSION OVER INFLATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POSITION SENSOR FAILED CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO FILL TO CAPACITY WITHOUT WARNING AND OTHER COMPONENTS FAILED ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUSPENSION. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT IF THE MANUFACTURER APPROVED THE MODIFICATION, THERE NEEDED TO BE AN INSTALLATION OF A RELEASE VALVE. THE MANUFACTURER'S TECHNICIAN STATED THAT A RELEASE VALVE WAS NOT PART OF THE DESIGN FOR THIS MODEL AND WAS AWARE THAT THE SENSOR FAILURE CAUSED THE AIR COMPRESSOR TO RECEIVE MORE AIR THAN NECESSARY WHICH CAUSED ADDITIONAL FAILURES. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SPRING STOPPER, NEW VALVES, NEW LEVELING ARMS, THE SHOCKS, A CAP, NEW SPRINGS, A GUIDE SPRING, URETHANE CUSHION, ONE SHOCK, A FLANGE HEX SCREW, 2 SPACERS, 1 SHOCK ABSORBER, SCREW HEX FLANGES, 2 NUTS, 2 HEX FLANGES AND THE POSITION SENSOR. A TECHNICIAN ALSO TEST DROVE THE MOTORCYCLE AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ID 10715177 · filed May 7, 2015

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

Data on this page last refreshed .