RoadVitals

2011 Can-Am Spyder RT Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints 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.
15
Latest Aug 9, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
52%
of 29 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
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
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 28, 2014
1 injury reported

1. AFTER RIDING THE 2011 CAN AM SPYDER RTS/SE5 AND PARKING IT IN THE GARAGE, A STRONG FUEL SMELL ODOR LINGERS FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS BEFORE IT DISSIPATES. 2. WHILE RIDING THE 2011 CAN AM SPYDER RTS/SE5 IN CITY OR HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, AN EXTREME HEAT CAN BE FELT FROM UNDER THE SEAT AREA. THE HEAT IS SO BAD THAT IT HAS LEFT FIRST DEGREE BURNS ON THE INNER THIGH AND KNEE AREAS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10650735
Incident
Aug 5, 2011
Mileage
1,100 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 28, 2014
1 injury reported

AFTER RIDING THE 2011 CAN AM SPYDER RTS/SE5 AND PARKING IT IN THE GARAGE, A STRONG FUEL SMELL ODOR LINGERS FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS BEFORE IT DISSIPATES. WHILE RIDING THE 2011 CAN AM SPYDER RTS/SE5 IN CITY OR HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, AN EXTREME HEAT CAN BE FELT FROM UNDER THE SEAT AREA. THE HEAT IS SO BAD THAT IT HAS LEFT FIRST DEGREE BURNS ON THE INNER THIGH AND KNEE AREAS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10650704
Incident
Aug 9, 2011
Mileage
1,100 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 28, 2014

FUEL IN TANK BOILS. SPYDER CONSTANTLY SMELLS OF LEAKING FUEL WHILE RIDDING. FUEL DRIPS, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WHEN PARKED. BOTH DURING AND AFTER A RIDE. THE COMPLETE EMISSIONS SYSTEM WAS REPLACED(UNDER WARRANTY) AND ALL OF THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED PROBLEMS RETURNED WITHIN A HUNDRED MILES OR SO. ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEAT IS SO HIGH IT CAUSED PREMATURE DEGRADING OF FUEL LINES. WHICH RESULTED IN MULTIPLE FUEL LEAKS WHERE FUEL LINE CLAMPS ARE USED. NOTE: THESE LEAKS WERE ALL IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF EXHAUST HEADERS. WHEN RIDDEN IN HIGHER AMBIENT TEMPS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEAT IS SO HIGH IT CAUSES BURNS TO YOUR THIGHS, WHEN WEARING PROPER RIDING APPAREL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10650686
Incident
May 11, 2012
Fuel system
Filed Aug 13, 2014

WHEN PARKED AFTER USE GASOLINE FUMES ARE EMITTED STRONGLY. THE ODOR IS SUCH THAT I DO NOT PARK IT IN THE GARAGE UNTIL IT HAS STOOD OUTSIDE FOR 2 HOURS TO ALLOW THE ODOR TO DISSIPATE. I AM AFRAID OF IT CAUSING A FIRE AND THAT IT WOULD SPREAD TO THE HOUSE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE MACHINE IN EARLY 2013. *TR

NHTSA ID
10621966
Incident
Mar 12, 2013
Mileage
53,610 mi
Body & structureEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 10, 2014

AFTER PURCHASING OUR 2011 CAN-AM SPYDER RTS WE NOTICED THAT AFTER RIDING THAT THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE GARAGE COMING FROM THE SPYDER. CAN-AM ISSUED A RECALL FOR FAULTY GAS CAPS VENTING GAS FUMES. WE RECEIVED THE NEW UPDATED GAS CAP BUT STILL HAVE FUEL SMELL AFTER RIDING WHILE THE SPYDER IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. WHILE RIDING, THE HEAT COMING UP FROM THE BODY PANELS IS SO HOT THAT IT CAUSES 1ST DEGREE BURNS ON MY WIFE'S THIGHS AND CALVES. HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH THAT, ITS NORMAL FOR THE SPYDER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10621271
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Mileage
500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 23, 2014
Fire reported

OFFICER WAS OPERATING VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET APPROACHING AND INTERSECTION. POSTED SPEED WAS 25 MPH AND OFFICER WAS DECELERATING AND FELT HEAT RISING FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE. OFFICER OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT OFF BEFORE BEING INJURED. WITHIN SECONDS THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY ENGULFED AND FLAMES CAUGHT A YARD AND TWO NEARBY TREES ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED CAUSE OF FIRE WAS FUEL RELATED. CITY MECHANIC EXAMINED THE REMAINS AND DETERMINED THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE AND ALSO FOUND A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AFTER CHECKING ONLINE. RECALL NOTICE WAS NOT RECEIVED BY CITY MAINTENANCE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, INCLUDING ALL POLICE EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10615679
Incident
Jul 20, 2014
Fuel system
Filed Sep 23, 2013

2011 BRP SPYDER MOTORCYCLES. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GAS FUMES, LEAKS AND FIRES ON MOTORCYCLES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE CAN'T PARK HER MOTORCYCLE IN THE GARAGE AFTER A TRIP OF ANY LENGTH.

NHTSA ID
10544745
Incident
Sep 2, 2013
Fuel system
Filed Jan 29, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM SPYDER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL CANISTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE CANISTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.

NHTSA ID
10495091
Incident
May 15, 2012
Mileage
800 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 10, 2012
1 injury reported

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VENT SYSTEM ON THE GAS TANK. THE CHARCOAL VAPOR CANISTER FILLS UP WITH LIQUID FUEL AND IT CAN'T VENT FUMES. WHICH CAUSE THE AIR BOX TO VENT RAW GAS FUMES INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND OUT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SADDLE (SEAT). THAN RIGHT IN TO THE DRIVERS FACE, WHICH CAUSES BURNING EYES AND CHEST PAINS. AND "I WOULD GUESS A FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD" THE LAST 3500 MILES I HAVE HAD THREE CHARCOAL CANISTERS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE ONE INSTALLED NOW HAS FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10454644
Incident
Mar 22, 2012
Mileage
12,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 16, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM SPIDER MOTORCYCLE . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND BOIL WHICH CAUSED FUMES TO IRRITATE THE CONTACTS EYES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAS NOT RECEIVED THE RESULTS YET, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 2,200 UPDATED 07/06/12 *BF

NHTSA ID
10451964
Incident
Jul 13, 2011
Mileage
900 mi
EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Oct 12, 2011

VEHICLE HAS ENTERED LIMP HOME MODE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65MPH) WHICH SUDDENLY REDUCES SPEED TO 35MPH. VEHICLES FROM REAR HAVE NEARLY IMPACTED DUE TO RAPID LOSS IN SPEED. ALSO ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS FAILED WHILE EXITING HIGHWAY WHICH MAKES MAINTAINING CONTROL VERY DIFFICULT. VEHICLE NEARLY LEFT PAVED SURFACE DUE TO HIGH STEERING EFFORTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL WHICH CONTINUES WHILE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING. FUEL VAPORS COULD CAUSE A FIRE DANGER. *KB

NHTSA ID
10429958
Incident
Apr 5, 2011
Mileage
100 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 29, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM ROADSTER SPYDER RT-S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HIM THAT HE MAY BE USING TOO MUCH GASOLINE WHICH ENDED UP SATURATING THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 650.

NHTSA ID
10422389
Incident
Jul 10, 2011
Mileage
650 mi

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .