RoadVitals

2020 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.
6
Latest May 29, 2025
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.
2
Latest Mar 17, 2023
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.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Can-Am Spyder RT, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, brakes and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 31 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

  • Exterior lighting233.3%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Interior & seats116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%
  • Suspension116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns 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
23V175000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Mar 17, 2023
34,457 units potentially affected
The defect: Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. (BRP) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Spyder RT and 2022-2023 Ryker motorcycles. The brake lights may stay illuminated even if the brake pedal is not pressed. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and associated Equipment."
The risk: Brake lights that remain illuminated can fail to alert other motorists of the rider's intention and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Depending on the model, dealers will replace the brake light switch, adjust the brake light switch, and/or add a spring to the brake light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2023. Owners may contact BRP Customer Service at 1-888-272-9222. BRP's number for this recall is 2023-6.
Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc.Manufacturer number 2023-6View on NHTSA.gov
20V186000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Mar 27, 2020
1,424 units potentially affected
The defect: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) is recalling certain 2020 Can-Am Spyder RT motorcycles. During emergency braking situations, the support which holds the brake mechanism could break, causing a total loss of braking ability.
The risk: A loss of braking ability can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BRP will notify owners, and dealers will install a reinforcement bracket, free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2020. Owners may contact BRP customer service at 1-888-272-9222. BRP's number for this campaign is Bulletin 2020-5.
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Manufacturer number Bulletin 2020-5View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Exterior lighting
Filed May 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Can-Am Spyder RT. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V175000 (Exterior Lighting); 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 dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11663696
Incident
Mar 17, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Can-Am Spyder RT. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she attempted to activate the cruise control, however, the vehicle failed to operate as designed. The contact then stated that she noticed that the brake light remained illuminated although the brake pedal was not depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it remained. The contact then received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V175000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that parts were not available. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11519275
Incident
Feb 27, 2023
Mileage
3,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 8, 2022

The Spyder brake switch started failing with less than 14K miles on the vehicle. The driver my wife, did not know it was failing, only an engine code VSS would appear and the vehicle would go into limp home mode, until it could be restarted. Checking online forms, there were several post about the brake switch. I check in our garage and discovered I could push the brake pedal and sometimes there would be a two second delay before the lights would come on. Pressing harder on the brakes made them flicker on and off. At times only half the brake lights would come on. The brake switch is located four inches off the pavement and exposed to road grime. The piston only has an O-ring and lacks a rubber boot to keep debris from entering the switch. (Like my Harley Davidson motorcycle has.) The brake switch part # 710005480 is about $45 and an two hours labor to install. The new replacement switch is #710008326, but it looks just like the switch I took off the Can Am Spyder. Some of my research showed that this brake switch has been used on most if not all Spyders and Ryker motorcycles produced by Can Am in the last few years. I did post this issue on a Spyder Facebook group and within 24 hours eight people stated they had the same issue with their new Spyder, which was repaired under warranty. I just believe it's a bad design for an exposed part four inches off the pavement. Also my wife stepping on the brakes and the brake lights not working for two seconds put her in danger of being struck by another vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11483449
Incident
Aug 1, 2022
Suspension
Filed Oct 18, 2020
1 injury reported

THE REAR AIRBACK SUSPENSION HAS BEEN BROKEN SINCE I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE IN AUGUST 2020. A NEW SYSTEM HAS BEEN PUT IN BUT IT HAS ALSO FAILED. THIS MAKES THE MOTORCYCLE DANGEROUS TO RIDE. THE RIDE IS VERY HARD AND WHEN HITTING A BUMP, THE PASSENGER CAN FALL OFF.

NHTSA ID
11365010
Incident
Oct 17, 2020
Mileage
2,990 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 18, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CAN-AM SPYDER RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTOFF WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CC POWERSPORTS ? LOUISVILLE DEALER LOCATED AT 327 CENTRE DR, SHEPHERDSVILLE, KY 40165, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS LOOSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN BOLT WAS TOO TIGHT. THE CONTACT WANTED THE DEALER TO EXCHANGE THE VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER ONE HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HE HAD TO USE THE WARRANTY PROCESS TO DO SO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CALL HIM BACK. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114. *TR

NHTSA ID
11359763
Incident
Aug 7, 2020
Mileage
114 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 20, 2020

BACK REST BROKE FALL OFF ALL MOST LOST PASSENGER

NHTSA ID
11350371
Incident
Jun 24, 2020
Mileage
454 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

145277

ENGINE

Under some circonstances it is possible to hear a chirping noise coming from the right side of the engine The noise was identified as worn friction washers on the alternator shaft

TST 144649

STRUCTURE:BODY; SUSPENSION

Spyder seat and top case shock retrofit There is complaints that the seat and top case shocks are too weak A new seat and top case shock absorber we're introduced for MY2025, however claims keep coming in and the wrong replacement part is used

TST 143615

POWER TRAIN

The front sprocket might be stuck on the mainshaft upon disassembly

TST 134170

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine Oil Level reading Issue Impossible to read the oil level on the dipstick.

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 140875

POWER TRAIN

Spyder P0730 Active Fault - This 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.

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—
2020Viewing620—
2019620—
2018122037.2
2017730—
2016910—
2015410—
2014130033.6
20131022157.8
2012411038.4
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.