RoadVitals

2021 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 Jun 18, 2026
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.
1
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

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Can-Am Spyder RT, most frequently naming the engine, exterior lighting and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 22 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

  • Engine222.2%
  • Exterior lighting222.2%
  • Electrical111.1%
  • Brakes111.1%
  • Fuel system111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%
  • Driver assistance111.1%

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

1 campaign 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

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Jun 18, 2026

While driving at multiple speeds a complete loss of power occurs from 15-30 seconds. Then will automatically re-engage at the speed when the power loss initiated. Bike does not code and does not have to be manually restarted. A huge safety issue when in traffic.

NHTSA ID
11744934
Incident
Aug 15, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 14, 2023

We were riding Utah when the bike lost power in the mountains. The throttle was dead. Turning it did nothing. All electrical was working. I had to stop on the road and when the bike downshifted automatically to 1st gear the bike was idling and the throttle would respond. It did this again about 10 miles later. I took it to a Can Am dealer and they checked the computer and there was no codes showing. I rode for about 400 miles and the bike lost power at 60 mph with the cruise control set. The throttle did not respond to turning it. After losing about 10 mph the power returned and the cruise was still active and the bike accelerated back to 60 mph. There were no codes stored of the incident. I rode 1000 miles home with out further problems. All three times I was on secondary rods with no shoulders to pull off. It is in the shop at this time but due to a lack of codes they are not sure what to do.

NHTSA ID
11544618
Incident
Sep 1, 2023
Brakes
Filed Jul 15, 2023

7/1/2022 The warning came on the dash as brake failure. Towed to the dealer, RideNow PowerSports of Daytona Beach Florida , stayed with them for almost 5 months, returned on 11/23/2022. I called CanAm customer service and was given a case#02973019. I was told the brake module was replaced. On 2/16/2023 there was another warning on the dash of brake failure. Towed to dealer. On 5/21/2023 another warning on dash of brake failure. Towed to different dealer, Seminole PowerSports Sanford Florida. Still at this dealership as of 7/15/2023. Called CanAm each time to notify them of brake issue. It was elevated to their safety department to investigate with a new case#03200749. The second dealer found that the brake line was epoxied at some point not repaired. If my brakes had failed on the road I could have been injured or injured others.

NHTSA ID
11532422
Incident
Jul 1, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 9, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11526266
Incident
Mar 16, 2023
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 12, 2022

One of the electrical fuse boxes on the vehicle (right side as viewed from front of vehicle) had water infiltration causing fuses to corrode; leading to an electrical failure at dark, where the vehicle had no headlight, tail light, brake light, turn signals or emergency flashers. Due to this failure I was almost rear ended when stopping for a traffic light. Also the cooling fans would not come on and the vehicle will overheat due to this issue. When I opened the fuse box trying to diagnose the problem it had more than a tablespoon of water which was green in color due to the corrosion created by the water infiltration. I was able to replace one of the fuses long enough to safely get the vehicle to my home and to the dealership for investigation. I had the dealership open a claim with BRP (the manufacturer) who has concluded this is not covered under warranty. This vehicle was purchased 1 year ago and has been garage kept since date of purchase, washed twice and driven in the rain one time. This vehicle has 2,020 miles and remains stock with no modifications. Having no lighting is a safety hazard with potential for great harm, this issue needs to be addressed by the manufacturer. It appears that BRP wants to make me pay for repairs when their manufacturing process is that cause and this is not acceptable.

NHTSA ID
11488996
Incident
Sep 14, 2022
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Sep 6, 2021

This is a safety issue with my 2021 CanAm RT Spyder. When riding up a grade in the mountains and the rpm's decrease, the motorcycle starts to buck, misfire and the the speed rapidly decreases. Downshifting to a lower gear does not alleviate the problem. My safety was jeopardized by the rapid reduction of speed in traffic putting me at risk of being hit from behind. I just completed a 3,800 mile journey and encountered the issue every time going up a grade that resulted in a drop of rpm's and speed. The vehicle has not been inspected, but I did discuss the issue with the dealership where I purchased the CanAm. They informed me it is a known issue and the motorcycle computer would resolve the problem as I continued to ride in the mountains. The issue was never eliminated. There were no warning messages.

NHTSA ID
11431855
Incident
Jul 27, 2021

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
2021Viewing610
2020620
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.