RoadVitals

2011 Can-Am Spyder RT

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.
29
Latest Aug 9, 2023
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.
2
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.
5
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 29 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 29 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

  • Engine1331.0%
  • Powertrain (other)49.5%
  • Electrical37.1%
  • Body & structure24.8%
  • Exterior lighting24.8%
  • Brakes12.4%
  • Steering12.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns 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

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY

Feb 7, 2011
378 units potentially affected
The defect: BRP IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SPYDER RT SM5 ROADSTERS. WHILE DOWN SHIFTING IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO INADVERTENTLY ENGAGE REVERSE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE REVERSE BUTTON DUE TO A DEFECTIVE REVERSE ACTUATOR CABLE.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD, THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK AND THE ENGINE COULD STALL. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THE VEHICLE COULD BACK UP. A VEHICLE STALL WITHOUT WARNING OR AN EXPECTED MOVEMENT IN REVERSE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL VALIDATE PROPER OPERATION OF THE REVERSE ACTUATOR AND IF DEFECTIVE, THE REVERSE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALLBEGAN ON FEBRUARY 11, 2011. 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

EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 9, 2023

This vehicle emits raw fuel fumes under pressure while driving and after parked for up to 45 minutes. Sometimes can her the fuel boiling in the fuel tank. If parked n a garage and any spark is near the vehicle will blow up. If parked outside the fumes are overpowering and if someone drops a cigarette nearby there will be an explosion.. I have contacted the local BRP Can A, dealer and they refuse to look at or repair due to liability concerns. I contacted BRP AND RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER 2 months ago and they have and continue to address the dangerous problem. The vehicle is a time bomb and I can not use the vehicle at all due to safety concerns.

NHTSA ID
11537557
Incident
May 20, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 1, 2021

While driving vehicle it will randomly shift into reverse. It first happened 8/ 2021 Dealer replaced reverse actuator It was returned the following week for the same problem, We got it back and a month later and it has done it again BRP has acknowledged the problem because there was another vehicle that has had the same or similar problem. They have manufactured a new part to fix this issue. I cannot stress enough how dangerous it can be to have your vehicle to drop into reverse as you are driving at 30 to 40mph. I dont understand how BRP does not see this as an important issue to be addressed. It remains to be seen whether they are going to charge for this or not. As long as bike has been in the shop I feel it should be on them not me as I have already spent $1800 to fix this problem and still not fixed.

NHTSA ID
11442314
Incident
Aug 23, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 3, 2020

I COMPLETED THE FIRST OIL CHANGE ON MY 2011 RT TRIKE (MOTORCYLE) (I PURCHASED IT FROM A DEALER USED SO IT MAY BE THE FIRST OIL CHANGE EVER PERFORMED SINCE IT ONLY HAS 3500 MILES. I FOUND A SMALL SCREW( LIKE A HEX SCREW) PART INSIDE THE OIL PAN MAGNET. SEE THE ATTACHED PHOTO. NO AWARE THAT THE ENGINE IS SELF DESTROYING FROM THE INSIDE. IT IS A SMALL BLACK COLOR BOLT A BIT LARGER THAN A RICE GRAIN IT HAS THREADS ON THE OUTISIDE AND A HEX IMPRESSION ON ONE SIDE AND IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN DAMAGED SINCE IT WAS STUCK TO THE OIL PAN PLUG MAGNET ALL THIS TIME. AFTER FURTHER READING THE SPYDER OWNERS FORUM WE LEARNED THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER OWNERS. IN THE NEW ONES THE BRP COMPANY PAID FOR THE ENGINE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY. MINE HAS EXPIRED WARRANTY BUT ONLY HAS 3700 ORIGINAL MILES IN THE ODOMETER. THE SMALL SCREW IS A PART THAT REGULATES THE AMOUNT OF OIL FLOW INTO THE REAR CYLINDER HEAD. THIS IS A TWO CYLINDER ENGINE. A DEALER CONTACTED THE BRP COMPANY AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE ENGINE APPERAS TO STILL OPERATE CORRECTLY BUT SOME OF THE INFORMATION POSTED MENTIONS THAT THE ENGINE WILL EVENTUALLY START LEAKING OIL ALONG ONE OF THE CILINDER HEADS GASKETS.

NHTSA ID
11320128
Incident
Mar 10, 2020
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 7, 2019

I OWN A 2011 CANAM SPYDER RT SM5 AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE BIKE GOING INTO REVERSE WHILE SHIFTING. I FOUND A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING THIS ABOUT THE "REVERSE ACTUATOR CABLE", ON RECALL FOR THE 2011 MODELS, BUT WHEN I PUT MY VIN # IN IT COMES UP AS "NO RECALLS ". I'M CLEARLY HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER 6 MONTHS NOW AND NEED TO KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING THIS REPAIRED UNDER THAT RECALL?

NHTSA ID
11164894
Incident
Mar 1, 2018
Mileage
18,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 29, 2017
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM ROADSTER SPYDER RT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE MOTORCYCLE NEAR THE ENGINE AREA. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE SAFELY ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSISTED TO CONTAIN THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO A TOW YARD. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,935.

NHTSA ID
11040912
Incident
Oct 6, 2017
Mileage
2,935 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 6, 2017
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM ROADSTER SPYDER RT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE MOTORCYCLE NEAR THE ENGINE AREA. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE SAFELY ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSISTED TO CONTAIN THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO A TOW YARD. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,935...UPDATED 11/06/17 *BF UPDATED 11/13/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
11032072
Incident
Oct 5, 2017
Mileage
2,935 mi
BrakesElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 20, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL FUMES AROUND THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE ABS AND THE EBD DEFAULT WERE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10735184
Incident
Jun 21, 2015
Mileage
3,200 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 29, 2014

SPYDER RT EMITS GASOLINE FUMES FROM EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM VENT HOSE. FUMES ARE EVIDENT WHEN BIKE IS SHUT DOWN. IN HOT WEATHER IT IS NOTICEABLE EVEN WHEN SITTING STILL AT A STOP LIGHT OR STUCK IN TRAFFIC. FUMES OFTEN CONDENSE AROUND THE BOTTOM LIP OF THE VENT HOSE WHEN THEY HIT THE COLDER AIR. THE CONDENSATE COLLECTS AROUND THE LIP AND EVENTUALLY DRIPS OFF. THE MILEAGE AND DATE NOTED ABOVE ARE APPROXIMATELY WHEN I FIRST REQUESTED THE DEALER TO CHECK THE SYSTEM. PRIOR TO THIS TIME THE FUMES WERE A MINOR ANNOYANCE BUT HAD NOW GOTTEN CONSISTENTLY WORSE. THE PURGE VALVE WAS FOUND TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. A MONTH LATER AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES I AGAIN HAD THE DEALER CHECK THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AND IT WAS FOUND WORKING PROPERLY IN SPITE OF THE FUMES. I PAID TO REPLACE THE CANISTER AND PURGE VALVE AS I HAD TO TRY SOMETHING. AS EXPECTED, REPLACEMENT HAD NO EFFECT ON THE PROBLEM. IN DECEMBER OF 2013 AT ABOUT 31,000 MILES I AGAIN HAD DEALER CHECK ENTIRE SYSTEM. I UNDERSTAND THEY EVEN HAD BRP CONSULTATION ON THE PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW. ONCE AGAIN, ALL ELEMENTS OF THE SYSTEM WERE FOUND WORKING PROPERLY AND THE CONCLUSION FROM BRP WAS "THAT'S THE WAY IT IS". THE FUMES CONTINUE TO THIS DAY, NOW OCTOBER 2014 AND OVER 38,000 MILES. I DISSECTED THE REMOVED CANISTER TO SEE HOW IT WORKS AND THE CONDITION IT WAS IN. AFTER 30K MILES IT WAS SEEMINGLY PERFECT. THE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL WAS TOTALLY DRY AND IN GOOD APPEARANCE, CONFIRMING TO ME THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT CAUSED BY LIQUID FUEL "SLOSHING" THROUGH THE HOSE FROM THE TANK TO THE CANISTER AND CONTAMINATING THE CHARCOAL. THE WAY THE HOSE ON MY 2011 RT IS ROUTED, I CONSIDERED LIQUID FUEL GETTING INTO THE CANISTER TO BE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE AND MY DISSECTION OF THE CANISTER CONFIRMED THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. PHOTOS OF THE INSIDE OF THE CANISTER AND CHARCOAL ARE AVAILABLE SHOWING THE GOOD CONDITION AFTER 30K MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10651139
Incident
Sep 13, 2013
Mileage
26,000 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.

TST 140875 Rev

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

Revision of TST 140875 P0730 Active Fault Fault code can be triggered if the unit has the wrong rear sprocket or a different wheel size. The cluster will stop displaying the gear indication and check engine light came on (limp home condition) and the gearbox won't shift.

TST 140654

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Missing or damaged scavenge pump components could lead to poor engine performance on 1330 engines.

D-94530

PARKING BRAKE

Electric parking brake not holding when applied.

112333

ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL SERVICE TIP (TST): CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF EXCESSIVE HEAT FELT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN CERTAIN RIDING CONDITIONS. THE SOLUTION IS TO INSTALL THE AIR SCOOP KIT. NOTE THAT THIS WILL NOT REDUCE HEAT FELT ON THE RH FOOT BY THE RADIATOR FAN.

TST-219-800

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

BRP MC: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, WHEN RIDING. THE WINDSHIELD WILL DROP AND A HIGH WINDSHIELD REFURBISH KIT IS NOW AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *PE

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 RT by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026100
2025000
2024400
2023110
2022110
2021610
2020620
2019620
2018122037.2
2017730
2016910
2015410
2014130033.6
20131022157.8
2012411038.4
2011Viewing292055.7
2010244041.2
2009100
2008200

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.