2021 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 2021 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
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 .