RoadVitals

2012 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.
41
Latest Jun 15, 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.
1
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.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 41 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 33 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

  • Fuel system2237.9%
  • Engine1119.0%
  • Electrical712.1%
  • Body & structure46.9%
  • Brakes46.9%
  • Exterior lighting46.9%
  • Driver assistance35.2%
  • Steering23.4%

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

1 campaign 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
12V582000

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 41
Body & structure
Filed Jun 15, 2023

Upon cruising down the highway about 60 MPH,my powered windshield support arm broke and the windshield fell back toward me in between the handle bars. Upon inspection,arm broke in half leaving the windshield unsupported. Our safety was put at risk because windshield was laying flat instead of upright for protection from winds and bugs or debris as designed. We had to prop it up with a coat to finish our ride. Doing research on Spyder owners forum,we discovered it is an ongoing problems with this support arm and we are not the lone incident. BRP should recall this for safety reasons. BRP sells a replacement unit for $800, totally unexceptable as this is a part that should not fail.no warning lights could predict this. Parts are available for inspection.

NHTSA ID
11527282
Incident
Feb 28, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Feb 14, 2021

SMELL FUEL VAPORS.

NHTSA ID
11396160
Incident
Feb 10, 2021
Mileage
27,880 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed May 25, 2020

I HAVE A 2012 CAN AM SPYDER RT LIMITED WITH EXTREME HEAT ON MY RIGHT FOOT AND AROUND THE SEAT. ALSO HAVE OVERWHELMING GASOLINE FUMES AFTER PARKING THE BIKE. MAKING IT UNUSABLE AND NO FUN AND DANGEROUS TO RIDE. PURCHASED JULY 14 2017. 7,200 MILES. HAD CONTACT SEVERAL TIMES WITH LOCAL DEALER ABSOLUTELY NO HELP!

NHTSA ID
11325830
Incident
Jul 14, 2017
Mileage
7,200 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 22, 2020

DYNAMIC POWER STEERING FAILURE AT 5,900 MILES. NO POWER STEERING AT SLOW SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID
11310775
Incident
Feb 17, 2020
Mileage
5,895 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 15, 2019

ON 7/11/2019 MY 2012 CANAM RT SE5 STARTED THROWING OUT VSS FAULT CODE, I TOOK IT HOME AND CONTACTED MY LOCAL CANAM SERVICE COMPANY. THEY ASKED ME TO BRING IT IN WHICH I DID THE NEXT DAY. ENROUTE TO THE SHOP IT BEGAN SHOWING ABS LIMP HOME MODE BUT WAS NOT IN LIMP HOME MODE. ONCE CONNECTED TO THE SHOP COMPUTER I WAS ADVISED THE BIKE WAS THROWING OUT NUMEROUS CODES AND FALSE CODES. THEN I WASXADVISED THIS BIKE HAS HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE 2013 IP TO AND INCLUDING REPLACING THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AT 15000+ MILES. SINCE PURCHASING THW BIKE IT CONSTANTLY SHORTS THE HORN OUT AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUSE. IN ADDITION TO THE VSS/ABS CODES THE SHOCK COMPRESSOR HAD STARTED COMING ON AND OFF.

NHTSA ID
11232054
Incident
Jul 11, 2019
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 14, 2019
Fire reported

MY WIFE AND I WERE RIDING TO HAWKS NEST STATE PARK IN WEST VIRGINIA, MY CAN-AM SPIDER CAUGHT ON FIRE AROUND THE FUEL CAP AREA WE WERE COMING TO A STOP GOING ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR TO 0. I FELT HEAT ON MY LEFT LEG LOOKED DOWN AND SAW FLAMES AND TOLD MY WIFE TO GET OFF THE BIKE AND WE GOT OFF AND THE BIKE, IT BURNED FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE SOMEONE PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. WE HAD FUELED UP ABOUT 35 MILES PRIOR TO THIS STOP. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THIS MOTORCYCLE BUT NOT MY SPECIFIC VIN #- WHY? I SEE THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER 2008 TO 2012 CAN-AM SPYDERS WITH VAPOR LEAK OR FUEL LINE LEAK RECALLS. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAN-AM FOR THREE MONTHS I AM GRATEFUL WE ARE NOT HURT BUT THIS COULD'VE BEEN REALLY REALLY BAD THESE ARE KNOWN FOR CATCHING FIRE AS I AM LEARNING AND READING I AM FORTUNATE YES- PLEASE STOP THESE BIKES FROM BEING SOLD!! THE ROAD WAS HILLY 2 LANE COUNTRY ROAD. SUNSHINE 85 DEGREES. RUINED OUR DAY AND BIKE!

NHTSA ID
11231750
Incident
Jun 30, 2019
Mileage
5,600 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 10, 2019

WHILE STOPPING AFTER 25 MILES. THE REAR BRAKES EMITTED A BURNING ODOR AND FAILED. THE REAR CALIPER AND ROTOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED 4 TIMES SINCE NEW WITH ONLY 6500 TOTAL MILES ON VEHICLE. ROTORS BECOME WARPED AND DISCOLORED FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT OCCASIONALLY GLOWING ORANGE AT NIGHT. THESES BRAKES HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES WITH FACTORY PARTS AND CERTIFIED MECHANIC REPAIRS. TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES REQUESTING TO OPEN A CASE WITH BRP THAT IS QUICKLY IGNORED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO RIDE AND OBVIOUSLY HAS A FACTORY DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM. SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OR DEATH IS LIKELY TO RESULT.

NHTSA ID
11219050
Incident
Mar 15, 2015
Mileage
6,015 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 10, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE IN FRONT OF THE MOTORCYCLE NEAR THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT GOT OFF THE MOTORCYCLE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE SECONDS LATER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,600.

NHTSA ID
11157300
Incident
Dec 9, 2018
Mileage
1,600 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.

TST 138572

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

The low fuel level light indicator stay always ON after cluster replacement on MY12 RT.

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.

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
2012Viewing411038.4
2011292055.7
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.