RoadVitals

2020 Can-Am Spyder RT Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
5
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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 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

  • 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.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 29, 2025

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 · filed Apr 27, 2023

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 8, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BACK REST BROKE FALL OFF ALL MOST LOST PASSENGER

NHTSA ID 11350371 · filed Aug 20, 2020

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 18, 2020

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 18, 2020

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

Data on this page last refreshed .