RoadVitals

2008 Can-Am Spyder

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.
2
Latest Jun 28, 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 May 19, 2009
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Can-Am Spyder, most frequently naming the steering and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 2 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

  • Steering266.7%
  • Electrical133.3%

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

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
09V162000

STEERING

May 19, 2009
16,361 units potentially affected
The defect: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL IS RECALLING 9,932 MY 2008-2010 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER GS MOTORCYCLES. A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE OPERATOR OF AN INVOLVED VEHICLE MAY NEED TO EXERT A FORCE GREATER THAN EXPECTED TO INITIATE THE TURNING OF THE STEERING HANDLEBAR OFF CENTER IN ORDER TO CORRECT VEHICLE DRIFT FROM A STRAIGHT LINE PATH. THIS HIGHER THAN EXPECTED STEERING CONTROL INPUT TORQUE MAY CAUSE A STEERING ANGLE OVERSHOOT AND AN UNEXPECTED DEVIATION OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE OPERATOR'S INTENDED PATH.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, IT CAN LEAD TO A TEMPORARY OUT OF LANE EXCURSION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH WITH OTHER TRAFFIC AND OR A DRIVE OFF THE ROAD.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE/REPAIR THE APPROPRIATE COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL AT 1-866-767-0707.
BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 28, 2026

While riding, the bike abruptly started decelerating , then it cut off. Then the DPS/VSS errors and limp mode showed.

NHTSA ID
11747069
Incident
May 16, 2026
Steering
Filed Oct 28, 2018

WANTED ONE OF THESE FOR A LONG TIME, FOUND THIS ONE WITH 1520 MILES ON IT. JUST RODE IT HOME, 160 MILES, AND I WAS ABOUT KILLED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN UNLESS I EXERTED A LOT OF PRESSURE AND THEN IT WOULD "BREAK LOOSE" AND DART ANOTHER DIRECTION. JUST SPENT ALL MY SAVINGS ON THIS BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS LIKE BRAND NEW!

NHTSA ID
11143560
Incident
Oct 28, 2018
Mileage
1,550 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

D109338

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Trailer module may fail.

Article Radio 10

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

If a customer wants to change the radio pre-set channel number and is unable to do so, here is the reason this is happening.

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013260044.9
2010210—
2009210—
2008Viewing210—

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.