2019 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 2019 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
- Brakes342.9%
- Powertrain (other)228.6%
- Electrical114.3%
- Exterior lighting114.3%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Multiple failures of electronic parking brake release in which pressing release button results in the parking brake light flashing repeatedly (an error indicator) and parking brake does not release. Sometimes works again after turning cycle off and back on but this is second time that has not worked and I have had to crawl under with a wrench and manually remove the cable from the holder to drive to dealer. Once released that way, the button worked again for the dealer and they insisted they couldn’t replicate, wouldn’t replace switch or servo motor despite error fault codes. Suggested slightly low battery voltage might be to blame but I use a trickle charger. Replaced battery anyway. Happened again less than 2 weeks later, in a parking lot away from home. Dangerous because you cannot move cycle without undoing the parking brake cable and then you don’t have a parking brake, which it needs because it is an automatic transmission and will roll even if in gear if the engine isn’t running. I have seen numerous reports of this problem on Can-Am Spyder message boards. Either switch is faulty or servo motor is faulty. I can’t MOVE the bike to get it home or to the dealer without taking action that temporarily fixes the problem but they won’t fix it unless it is doing it for them. Despite numerous reports of this problem. I feel there needs to be a recall of 2018 and up Spyder RT Limited models to address this issue across all owners.
EMERGENCY BRAKE SOMETIMES DOES NOT RELEASE AND YOU HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE IT AT THE REAR HUB TO RELEASE IT.THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO ME, I KNOW OF SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE ALSO, DIFFERENT MODELS AND YEARS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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 2019 CAN-AM Spyder RT. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to shift as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift into neutral. The contact stated that the motorcycle was taken to the dealer and had been at the dealer since September 2023. The contact stated that the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V728000 (Power Train) was performed while the motorcycle was at the dealer. The contact stated that the motorcycle was picked up from the dealer and the failure reoccurred. In addition, the contact stated that the motorcycle was unsafe to ride. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact stated that several cases had been filed with the manufacturer regarding the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,700.
The contact owns a 2019 Can-Am Spyder RT. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V352000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and remained with the dealer awaiting the part for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
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
THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS AND FAILED TO EITHER ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE. FAILURE TO ENGAGE PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AFTER STARTING AND IN GEAR. FAILURE TO ENGAGE ALLOWS THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AFTER STOPPING, TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, AND RELEASING THE MANUAL FOOT BRAKE. IN ORDER TO STABILIZE THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING IF THE EBRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE, THE RIDER MUST RELEASE THE MANUAL FOOT BRAKE, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING, AND PLACE A CHOCK UNDER TIRE(S). IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE RIDER FROM BEING STRANDED IF THE EBRAKE FAILS TO DISENGAGE, THE RIDER MUST STABILIZE THE VEHICLE FIRST, MANUALLY REMOVE THE REAR BRAKE SPRING, AND LOOSEN THE BRAKE CABLE NUTS TO RELEASE BRAKE CABLE TENSION. THIS REQUIRES A SPRING TOOL AND TWO 12MM WRENCHES. WHILE THIS WILL ALLOW THE RIDER TO NOT BE STRANDED, IT CREATES A HAZARD WHEN THE RIDER ARRIVES AT THEIR DESTINATION AND MUST PARK THE VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ILLUMINATED, BUT WERE NOT VISIBLE TO ONCOMING VEHICLES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS FAILED TO TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.
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 .