2018 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 2018 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)640.0%
- Brakes213.3%
- Engine213.3%
- Fuel system213.3%
- Steering213.3%
- Interior & seats16.7%
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 contact owns a 2018 Can-Am Spyder RT. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH and attempting to upshift into the next gear, the shifter seized and failed to operate as designed. The contact pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the left shifting switch on the handlebar was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,200.
After receiving the safety recall notice from the manufacturer, BRP, in January 2025, I attempted to have the safety recall completed at a dealership in the Pittsburgh PA area. I was initially told by the MOSITES Dealership that they were not able to complete the safety recall because of the time it takes to perform the recall, which ties up their service lifts and mechanic's time. I contacted BRP, who contacted MOSITES WEST in Pittsburgh, PA, and they made a service appointment to complete the safety recall on April 3rd. I dropped the bike off for service on April 3rd. Weeks later, I was told by Gabe in the MOSITES Service Dept. they were waiting for parts and had not started the repair. I contacted BRP who verfied MOSITES West had received the parts and that MOSITES would start the repair soon. That was April 24th. I called and left message for Gabe at the MOSITES West Service Dept. in May for an update but got no return phone call. I contacted BRP and asked for an update and a possible loaner vehicle if it would take much longer, since MOSITES had my bike for more than 30 days. On May 7th, BRP advised MOSITES had not started the safety recall yet, a loaner vehicle was not possible, and MOSITES could not say when they would be able to start the recall repair.
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
HEATED SEAT CEASES TO OPERATE AFTER 40 MINS. PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT RELEASE.
THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT RELEASE INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENS 3-5 TIMES A WEEK.
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
My wife RODE our 2018 Can Am Spyder 70 miles to have recall 24V728 completed on 4/23/25. Today is 6/24/25 and we still do not have vehicle back. Dealership pulled engine replaced output shaft put it back together and it will now not shift correctly. Dealership has been trying to figure out the problem and in contact with BRP. At first it was something about it not accepting updated programming, then it was something about an oil pressure sensor creating the issue, and now they say it is the HCM which I believe is hydraulic control module in the transmission. On May 7th in an email from BRP Customer Service this statement below was made by the customer service representative. "I have spoken with the dealership, and they have reassured me that the new issues you've mentioned are indeed linked to the recall. They are working diligently to resolve these matters and expect your unit to be repaired by the end of this week." It is now 6/24/25 and BRP is trying to walk back the statement made above by saying it is not related to recall simply because what they think the problem is, is not an inexpensive part. Fact of the matter is it was fully functional when my wife rode it down to dealership the work was done and now the transmission will not shift properly and what they think will fix the issue just happens to be inside the transmission the dealership just had torn apart. Based on other comments from other owners of this type of vehicle I am not the first one to have problems with this recall and I don't believe BRP has a dealer network entirely capable of doing the recall, and the BRP Customer Service rep has been of little help. I do have all the emails between myself and the BRP customer service rep if needed.
After receiving the safety recall notice from the manufacturer, BRP, in January 2025, I attempted to have the safety recall completed at a dealership in the Pittsburgh PA area. I was initially told by the MOSITES Dealership that they were not able to complete the safety recall because of the time it takes to perform the recall, which ties up their service lifts and mechanic's time. I contacted BRP, who contacted MOSITES WEST in Pittsburgh, PA, and they made a service appointment to complete the safety recall on April 3rd. I dropped the bike off for service on April 3rd. Weeks later, I was told by Gabe in the MOSITES Service Dept. they were waiting for parts and had not started the repair. I contacted BRP who verfied MOSITES West had received the parts and that MOSITES would start the repair soon. That was April 24th. I called and left message for Gabe at the MOSITES West Service Dept. in May for an update but got no return phone call. I contacted BRP and asked for an update and a possible loaner vehicle if it would take much longer, since MOSITES had my bike for more than 30 days. On May 7th, BRP advised MOSITES had not started the safety recall yet, a loaner vehicle was not possible, and MOSITES could not say when they would be able to start the recall repair.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
My wife RODE our 2018 Can Am Spyder 70 miles to have recall 24V728 completed on 4/23/25. Today is 6/24/25 and we still do not have vehicle back. Dealership pulled engine replaced output shaft put it back together and it will now not shift correctly. Dealership has been trying to figure out the problem and in contact with BRP. At first it was something about it not accepting updated programming, then it was something about an oil pressure sensor creating the issue, and now they say it is the HCM which I believe is hydraulic control module in the transmission. On May 7th in an email from BRP Customer Service this statement below was made by the customer service representative. "I have spoken with the dealership, and they have reassured me that the new issues you've mentioned are indeed linked to the recall. They are working diligently to resolve these matters and expect your unit to be repaired by the end of this week." It is now 6/24/25 and BRP is trying to walk back the statement made above by saying it is not related to recall simply because what they think the problem is, is not an inexpensive part. Fact of the matter is it was fully functional when my wife rode it down to dealership the work was done and now the transmission will not shift properly and what they think will fix the issue just happens to be inside the transmission the dealership just had torn apart. Based on other comments from other owners of this type of vehicle I am not the first one to have problems with this recall and I don't believe BRP has a dealer network entirely capable of doing the recall, and the BRP Customer Service rep has been of little help. I do have all the emails between myself and the BRP customer service rep if needed.
While driving the vehicle a clunking sound was heard and at the same time I experienced a loss of propulsion. The vehicle is currently in the process of being repaired as it was determined that the front drive sprocket main drive shaft had sheared. Fortunately I was able to pull off the highway at an intersection onto a much less congested street. There were not warning lights or indications that forewarned me of this event. The vehicle was towed as it was unable to proceed under its own power to the residence of the owner. After further evaluation the vehicle was taken to a dealership for diagnosis and repair. The VIN provided has no displayable records on Carfax.
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
DRIVING MY SPYDER ON THE INTERSTATE IT WOULD SHOW A CODE DPS ON MY DISPLAY AND AS LONG AS IT DISPLAYED YOU COULD NOT STEER MOTORCYCLE. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST SIX TIMES IN ONE WEEK. YOU COULD STOP AND SHUT UNIT OFF THEN RESTART AND GO 50 TO 100 MILES THEN FLASH CODE DPS AGAIN. THE FAULT CODE P0550 WAS STORED AS LONG AS BIKE WAS RUNNING.
DPS FAILED GOING AROUND A TURN CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO GO INTO THE OPPOSING LANE OF TRAFFIC. P1F00 CODE FIRST CODE P1F05 ONLY HAPPENED IN DRIVE WAY, DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE ON 9/18/18, 9/23/18 DPS WENT OUT IN A TURN AND CODE P1F00 EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER HAD BOTH CODES IN MEMORY YET BRP WOULD NOT REPAIR WITHOUT DUPLICATION OF ERRORS. EVN HAVE A VIDEO OF THE P1F05 CODE COMING UP IN MY DRIVEWAY.
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
HEATED SEAT CEASES TO OPERATE AFTER 40 MINS. PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT RELEASE.
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 .