2014 Can-Am Spyder RT 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 2014 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
- Powertrain (other)318.8%
- Steering318.8%
- Electrical318.8%
- Brakes212.5%
- Body & structure16.3%
- Tires & wheels16.3%
- Engine16.3%
- Interior & seats16.3%
- Suspension16.3%
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
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE THE FIRST TIME 8 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. COMPLAINTS OF NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALONG WITH AIR SHOCKS LEAKING AND AN OIL LEAK ECT. I WAS RIDING ON BACK COUNTRY ROAD WHEN I COULDN'T DOWN SIFT THE BIKE BEFORE GOING INTO A CORNER. HAD TO POWER STIR THE BIKE AROUND THE CORNER AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MOTOR CYCLE WAS STORED IN GARAGE OVER WINTER IN CHICAGO AREA. STARTED IT UP ON FIRST DAY IN 80 DEGREES AND GETTING CODES P0552 AND P0551. THE BIKE DISPLAYS THE HANDEL BARS ON DISPLAY. RESEARCH SHOWS PROBLEM WITH DO'S WHICH IS A STEERING ASSIST UNIT. BRP (MANUFACTURE) OF THE MOTORCYCLE HAD HAD PRIOR RECALLS ON THE SAME UNIT IN PRIOR YEARS. MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET HAVING SAME ISSUE THAT RESULTS IN 2000.00 DOLLAR REPAIR. BIKE STILL RUNS BUT YOU CAN FEEL STEERING IS HARDER. ALTHOUGH THE BIKE IS A 2014 I ONLY PUT A FEW THOUSAND MILES EACH SUMMER DRIVING IT LOCAL. A BIKE WITH JUST OVER 10K MIES SHOULD NOT POP A TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR SITTING IN STORAGE. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT IMPACTS YOUR ABILITY TO STEER AND AVOID ROAD SIDE INCIDENTS AND DISTRACTED DRIVERS. I ALWAYS HAVE MY WIFE ON THE BIKE AND BOUGHT A THREE WHEEL UNIT TO GIVE BOTH OF US MORE OF A SAFE RIDE. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE.
I OWN A 2014 CAN AM RT-SM6 MOTORCYCLE. IN OCTOBER 2018 I HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING MECHANISM REALIGNED, IT WAS STEERING TO ONE SIDE. THIS WEEK THE PROBLEM IS BACK, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM IS LOOSE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT, IF IT COMES LOOSE WHEN TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF MY MOTORCYCLE. I FIRST NOTICED THIS WHEN TRAVELING AND WHEN I GOT HOME I DOUBLE CHECKED AND THE ALIGNMENT IS VISUAL AND MEASURABLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH MY MOTORCYCLE.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MALCOLM SMITH MOTORSPORTS (7599 INDIANA AVE, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504). THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE LIMP HOME MODE FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRANCE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE THE FIRST TIME 8 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. COMPLAINTS OF NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALONG WITH AIR SHOCKS LEAKING AND AN OIL LEAK ECT. I WAS RIDING ON BACK COUNTRY ROAD WHEN I COULDN'T DOWN SIFT THE BIKE BEFORE GOING INTO A CORNER. HAD TO POWER STIR THE BIKE AROUND THE CORNER AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
This is a Can-Am Spyder with a parking brake problem. On-line in the forum, there are many of these problems on the bikes with an automatic transmission. The brake will either not engage which causes the bike to roll which could cause an accident. Can-Am dealers cannot fix the problem and will just throw parts at the problem and charge $90 to $120 an hour just to look at it. No one knows how to fix the problem. Can-Am needs to recall these vehicles before someone gets killed or hurt because the parking brake does not work.
THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE THE FIRST TIME 8 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. COMPLAINTS OF NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALONG WITH AIR SHOCKS LEAKING AND AN OIL LEAK ECT. I WAS RIDING ON BACK COUNTRY ROAD WHEN I COULDN'T DOWN SIFT THE BIKE BEFORE GOING INTO A CORNER. HAD TO POWER STIR THE BIKE AROUND THE CORNER AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE CONTACT INDICATED THE HEAT FROM THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST SYSTEM WOULD MAKE THE SEAT VERY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CAN-AM SPYDER RT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE RIDING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR SHOCK SUSPENSION WAS DISABLED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE ACROSS BUMPS IN THE ROAD ROUGHLY WHEN RIDING WITH PASSENGERS. THE AIR SHOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 71 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT TENSION BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. ## VIN PASSED ## 2014 CAN AM SPIDER ##
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON MANY OCCASIONS MOSTLY DURING OUTSIDE AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OVER 75 DEGREES, AFTER THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE THE HEAT THAT COMES OUT FROM BETWEEN THE SEAT AREA AND THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IS AT TIMES UNBEARABLE. MANY TIMES I'VE HAD TO EITHER SIT BACK ALMOST TO PASSENGER SITTING AREA OR KEEP STANDING UP ENOUGH TO INCREASE AIR FLOW. TO DATE I HAVE NOT MODIFIED THE BIKE AND HAVE BEEN MONITORING FORUMS TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CAN-AM SPYDER RT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE RIDING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR SHOCK SUSPENSION WAS DISABLED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE ACROSS BUMPS IN THE ROAD ROUGHLY WHEN RIDING WITH PASSENGERS. THE AIR SHOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
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 .