2013 Can-Am Spyder Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2013 Can-Am RD Spyder. The contact stated that while his son was driving at approximately 35–40, the vehicle caught fire from the front of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries. There was no police report filed. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The contact called the local dealer, who informed him that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another dealer, Team Powersports222 US-70, Garner, NC 27529, who informed him there were no recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V095000 (Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

NHTSA ID

11551344

Incident

Jun 21, 2023

Mileage

6,000 mi

Left Handle Bar Control Switch, when turning the left flasher signal on its want work ,when turning the right flasher on to change lane, after change lane want cut off, it’s a safety problem to look down to see if it’s off, had the light bulbs check they all work, they tell me it’s could be a manufacturers defect in the left handle bar control switch

NHTSA ID

11458721

Incident

Mar 7, 2022

Brake cylinder get hot and may melt, high engine Compartment Temperature, engine cut off while driving on the highway, THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT WHETHER OR THE VEHICLE HAS A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11430961

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RT WITH 793 MILES, DROVE YESTERDAY 10-12-2020 IN THE EVENING, WENT ABOUT 1/2 MILE AND DARK BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DUAL TOP PORTS I BELIEVE ARE AIR INTAKES. STOPPED AS IT WAS THICK SMOKE. RODE IT HOME SMOKING. TEMP RANGE WAS IN NORMAL RANGE. THESE BIKES ON WEB RESEARCH, HAVE A HISTORY OF CATCHING FIRE. PUT AWAY IN GARAGE, CHECKED GAS, BRAKE, OIL LEVELS APPEARED NORMAL BUT I ONLY DROVE A TOTAL OF 1 MILE. CHECKED UNDER ENGINE THE NEXT DAY , NO STAINS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF THE BIKE, SERVICE WISE ALSO AND I ONLY DRIVE IT LOCALLY. I AM NOT RIDING THE BIKE TILL I GET IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID

11364201

Incident

Oct 12, 2020

Mileage

1 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RT S 991 SE5 CY 13. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE MOTORCYCLE AND PUSHED IT OFF THE ROADWAY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO AMERICA'S MOTOR SPORTS (930 8TH AVENUE S, NASHVILLE, TN 37203) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH EXPLODED AND DEBRIS ENTERED THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO STALL. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11141295

Incident

Oct 10, 2018

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 (NA) CAN-AM SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.

NHTSA ID

10882610

Incident

Jul 2, 2016

Mileage

400 mi

EXCESS HEAT BUILD UP, THE ENGINE DOES NO OVER HEAT HOW EVER THE EXTREME HEAT IS EXPERIENCED UNDER THE SEAT. THE GAS TANK GETS HOT TO THE POINT THAT THE GAS CAN BE HEARD BOILING, GAS CAP SO HOT ONE HAS TO USE GLOVES TO REMOVE FOR FILLING. STRONG GAS ODOR AFTER RIDING AND WHEN PARKING. MUST LEAVE THE UNIT OUTSIDE UNTIL IT COOLS OFF DUE FEAR OF FIRE IN THE GARAGE. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH A MAY 2015 FIX DATE, SO FAR NOTHING. BRP SAYS CONTACT THE DEALER, THE DEALER SAYS CONTACT BRP WITH A CONTINUED PASS THE BUCK ATTITUDE BY ALL. BRP SAYS IT DOES NOT KNOW OF A FIX FOR THE EXCESS HEAT ISSUE TO DATE. (MAY 6, 2015) AND NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. I BELIEVE THAT NHTSA HAS SOME LIABILITY IN THIS ISSUE FOR LETTING IT GO ON FOR SO LONG AND NOT FORCING A FIX AND ALLOWING THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION TO CONTINUE TO PLAGUE OWNERS OF THE 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RT LIMITED. IT IS TIME FOR BRP TO EITHER REPLACE THE UNIT OR FIX IT SO THAT IS SAFE TO RIDE, AND FOR NHTSA TO TAKE AGGRESSIVE ACTION, HAVE THE UNITS REMOVED FROM THE ROAD OR REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10714955

Incident

May 4, 2015

Mileage

9,500 mi

WE PURCHASED OUR BIKE AUGUST OF 2013. WHEN WE PICKED IT UP WE DROVE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AND STOPPED BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT, WE CALLED THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT BEING HOT. THEY ACTED AS IF IT WAS NORMAL. WE TOOK THE BIKE IN FOR THE RECALL THAT BRP HAD REQUESTED. THEY DID THE RECALL BUT THE HEAT ISSUE REMAINED. I ASKED THE DEALER TO CALL BRP AND SEE IF SOMETHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT THE HEAT. WE WERE TOLD THAT BRP SAID IT WAS ONLY A HEAT ISSUE IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. WE CHANGED DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE, THEY CONTACTED BRP AND I WAS GIVEN A CLAIM NUMBER. THEY INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIP TO WRAP THE EXHAUST AND TO PUT HEAT SHIELDS ON EACH SIDE OF THE BIKE. NO MORE WILL BE DONE FOR THE HEAT ISSUE TO MY SPYDER. A MECHANIC PUT A GUN TO THE BIKE AFTER I GOT OFF, HE LIFTED THE SEAT AND THE HEAT REGISTERED 174 DEGREES AND YOU CAN HEAR THE GAS BUBBLING IN THE TANK. I DON'T WANT MY BIKE TO CATCH ON FIRE. BUT IT GETS SO HOT IT'S SCARY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10628314

Incident

Aug 14, 2013

THERE IS A TERRIBLE GAS SMELL WHEN I STOP AND WHEN I GET HOME FROM A RIDE I HAVE TO PARK THE SPYDER OUTSIDE SO THAT THE ENTIRE GARAGE DOESN'T SMELL LIKE GAS. ALSO, WHEN I'M RIDING I HAVE TO POSITION MY FEET JUST RIGHT ON THE RIGHT SIDE FLOORBOARD TO KEEP FROM GETTING MY FOOT OR ANKLE BURNED FROM THE HEAT BEING PUT OUT ON THAT SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10628178

Incident

Mar 3, 2014

Mileage

15 mi

STRONG GAS SMELL AFTER RIDE AND BIKE IS HOT. ALSO HEAT AROUND SEAT AND LEFT LEG.CAN NOT PUT PHONE IN COMPARTMENT IN FRONT DUE TO HEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10627768

Incident

Jun 2, 2014

MY ISSUE IS WITH 2013 CANAM SPYDER. AFTER ENGINE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, THE AREA AROUND THE DRIVERS LEGS ARE EXPOSED TO 208 DEGREES F. THIS DATA WAS COLLECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP INJACKSONVILLE. THE CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO THIS DEFECT HAS CAUSED FIRST DEGREE BURNS ON MY WIFE'S LEGS. EVEN WHEN WARING THICK BLUE JEANS, EXTENDED RUN TIMES BURNT HER LEG TOO. THE COMPANY HAS APPARENTLY CORRECTED THIS ISSUE IN 2014. THEY HAVE RE ROUTED HOT AIR WITH DIFFERENT PANELS, REVERSING THE FAN AT SLOW SPEED AND STOP AND BETTER INSULATION. OBVIOUSLY, BRP KNOWS THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM. IT TOOK ME AND MY SERVICE TO BOTH FILE COMPLAINTS. HOWEVER, BRP AS OF TODAY WILL EXCHANGE OUT MY PANELS TO THE NEW REDESIGNED PANEL. A $600 PER SIDE MODIFICATION. ALSO, BE WARE, AFTER A LONG RUN ADDING GAS IS SCARY, IT'S A VERY HOT ENVIRONMENT AND THE DRIVER IS SPURTING GAS ON IT? *TR

NHTSA ID

10622101

Incident

Aug 10, 2014

Mileage

1,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER MOTORCYCLE. WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE IN VERY HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED IN A BRIGHT ORANGE COLOR, WHICH DISTRACTED THE DRIVER. IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE DISPLAY FROM THE SCREEN, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND THE KEY HAD TO BE REMOVED AND REPLACED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40.

NHTSA ID

10622081

Incident

May 1, 2014

Mileage

40 mi

AFTER I RIDE MY 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RS IN WARM/HOT OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME I HAVE SEVERE GAS FUMES. I NOTICE IT MORE WHEN I TURN THE SPYDER OFF AND PARK IT. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN I RIDE IN THESE TEMPERATURES I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME FILLING MY SPYDER WITH GAS. WHEN I PUT THE GAS NOZZLE IN THE FILLER HOLE IT CONTINUES TO SHUT THE PUMP OFF AS IF IT IS OVER FILLING. HOWEVER ONCE IT HAVE ADDED ABOUT A GALLON OF COOL GAS TO THE TANK (BY MANUALLY SQUEEZING THE HANDLE MULTIPLE TIMES) IT SEEMS TO PUMP AUTOMATICALLY FINE. TO ME IT SEEMS THAT THE GAS IN THE TANK IS OVERHEATING. I ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE BODYWORK ON THE SPYDER GETTING VERY HOT AROUND THE LEG/ENGINE AREA. I'VE HAD TO ADD HEAT RESISTANT INSULATION TO THE INSIDE OF THE PANELS TO BE ABLE TO RIDE THE SPYDER ON DAYS WITH HOT OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO MY CAN-AM DEALERS ATTENTION AND THEY HAVE REPLIED (1.) THAT THERE IS NOT AN ISSUE OR (2.) THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. I AM VERY CONCERNED DUE TO THE SPYDERS I HAVE SEEN THAT ARE CATCHING ON FIRE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP US HELPLESS/HOPELESS CAN-AM SPYDER OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10621062

Incident

Jun 15, 2013

Mileage

150 mi

MOTORCYCLE RUNS HOT. WHEN REFILLING GAS, GAS REMAINING IN TANK IS BOILING. THIS CAUSES STEAM TO BLOW OUT IN MY FACE. IT ALSO CAUSES THE GAS ADDED TO THE TANK TO HEAT UP, SWELL, AND OVERFLOW. EXTREME HEAT CAN BE FELT ON MY LEGS AND FEET. HEAT IS WORSE WHEN DRIVING BELOW 5TH GEAR (ANYTHING BELOW ABOUT 60-65MPH). *TR

NHTSA ID

10620886

Incident

Jun 6, 2014

Mileage

4,400 mi

THE BIKE HAS EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DIRECTLY UNDER THE FUEL TANK, THE EXCESSIVE HEAT ACTUALLY BOILS THE FUEL IN THE GAS TANK, ONCE LIFTING THE SEAT, THE FUEL GAS CAP IS TOO HOT TO REMOVE, I'VE CONTACTED BRP CARE WITH NO SUCESS AND HAVE ORDERED THE REPLACENT SIDE PANELS AT MY OWN COST, THEY HAVE COVERED SOME UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOT ALL ARE GETTING THIS OPTION, THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEIR HANDS ARE TIED AND CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT BRP''S APPROVAL. PLEASE FORCE A RECALL OF THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM ON ALL 2013 AND 2014 ST'S AND RT'S, THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FIRES AS A RESULT OF THE DESIGN FLAW. THANK YOU. *JS

NHTSA ID

10616846

Incident

Jul 21, 2014

Mileage

2,600 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATED, WHICH BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT'S PANTS. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE DEALER STATED THAT A STUCK PURGE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,400.

NHTSA ID

10607045

Incident

Jun 28, 2014

Mileage

10,400 mi

VEHICLE HAS NO MEANS OF RELEASING HEAT TRAPPED UNDER PLASTIC PANELING WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. HAD TWO BREAKDOWNS AT STOP AND GO SITUATIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING ALLOWING HEAT TO ESCAPE. THIS AFFECTED OTHER COMPONENTS (EVAPORATOR CANISTER...ECT) WHICH CAUSE FAILURE AND RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH BRP I KNOW THEY ARE AWARE AND HAVE NO SOLUTION. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BRP NOW HAS COME OUT WITH THE 2014 MODEL AND CLEARLY STATES IN ITS ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN THAT "ON OUR NEW MODELS WE ADDRESS THE HEAT ISSUE" SO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE IT... AND YOU FIXED IT ON THE NEWER MODELS WHILE BEHIND YOU LIES CUSTOMERS WITH OLDER MODELS THAT ARE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE AND QUITE UNSAFE... *TR

NHTSA ID

10587401

Incident

Apr 16, 2014

Mileage

2,500 mi

THIS VEHICLE HAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HEAT PROBLEM. HEAT BUILDS UP UNDER THE FIBERGLASS PANELS WHICH RESULTS IN THE GAS CAP BECOMING TOO HOT TO TOUCH WITH YOUR BARE HAND, AND GASOLINE BOILING IN THE TANK. ALSO, THE RADIATOR FAN BLOWS VERY HOT AIR ON MY RIGHT FOOT WHICH IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. ADDITIONALLY, I CAN SMELL GAS FUMES WHEN RIDING, AND THE FUMES ARE OVERPOWERING WHEN PARKING THE BIKE AFTER RIDING. I LEAVE THE BIKE OUTSIDE MY GARAGE UNTIL THE FUMES DISSIPATE, AS I FEEL THAT IT DANGEROUS TO PARK IN THE GARAGE WITH THE OVERPOWERING GAS FUMES. BRP AND THE DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND CAN OFFER NO FIX FOR THEM. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE 2014 MODELS, SO OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A WAY TO REMEDY THEM. WHENEVER I AM ASKED HOW I LIKE THE BIKE, I TELL PEOPLE THAT THE GAS MILEAGE IS HORRENDOUS, THE HEAT PROBLEM IS UNCOMFORTABLE, AND THE GAS FUMES ARE UNBEARABLE AND DANGEROUS. I ADVISE THEM NOT TO BUY THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10587190

Incident

May 1, 2013

Mileage

2,500 mi

HERE IS A LIST OF ISSUES WITH MY MOTORCYCLE, AND HUNDREDS OF CAN AM OWNERS 1- GAS SMELL 2- GAS BOILING AFTER RIDING 3- OVERHEATING, BURNING IF YOU TOUCH IT BOMBARDIER IS NOT FIXING IT, BUT THEY CHANGE THE DESIGN ON THE 2014 WITH NEW VENTS AND THEY ARE ASKING US TO PAY FOR THE FIX. MY BIKE IS SO HOT THAT MY WIFE HAVE ASK ME NOT TO RIDE ANYMORE, SHE ALSO ASK ME TO TO TAKE THE KIDS OR HER FOR RIDES BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES, IF YOU CHECK ON THE SPYDERLOVER.COM FORUM YOU WILL SEE THAT BRP IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO HELP THE HEAT ISSUES WE HAVE, MANY CALLS AND VISITS TO MY DEALER BAY HARBOR MOTORS IN NEW YORK, PLEASE HELP US BEFORE SOMETHING TRAGIC HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE RIDING A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *TT

NHTSA ID

10582942

Incident

Apr 15, 2014

STRONG ODOR OF RAW GAS WHEN CRUISING OR STANDING STILL. OVERPOWERING. DOES NOT MATTER HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN TANK. AT TIMES ACTS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF GAS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10574592

Incident

Mar 15, 2013

Mileage

3,745 mi

LETTER FROM SENATOR MANCHIN III ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, REGARDING A BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCT CALLED THE CANAM SPYDER; REPLY DIRECTLY TO CONSTITUENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ISSUED IN THE UNITED STATES, DUE TO CERTAIN MODELS CATCHING ON FIRE.

NHTSA ID

10549140

Incident

Oct 1, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE AND CONTINUED TO FLASH WHEN A TURN WAS COMPLETE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE DEACTIVATED MANUALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7.

NHTSA ID

10545028

Incident

Aug 20, 2013

Mileage

7 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR FLOW FROM THE ENGINE WOULD BLOW SEVERELY HOT AIR ONTO THE CONTACT'S CROTCH AREA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER DRIVER OF THE MOTORCYCLE SUSTAINED BURNS TO HER CROTCH AREA DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.

NHTSA ID

10542059

Incident

Sep 3, 2013

Mileage

5 mi

EXCESS HEAT FROM THE ENGINE COMES OUT AROUND THE SEAT CAUSING FIRST DEGREE BURNS ON THE THIGHS AND PASSENGERS RIGHT ANKLE. THERE IS ALSO CONCERN ABOUT THE WIRING INSULATION MELTING AND THE BREAK FLUID TANDEM MASTER CYLINDER MANIFOLD (RESERVOIR) TO MELT FROM EXCESS HEAT AND THIS CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK ON THE EXHAUST AND CAUSE A FIRE. THERE HAVE BEEN FIRES WITH THE UNIT BEING COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE TRANSPORT CANADA SAFETY HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS CONDITION. BRP HAS BEEN SILENT ON THIS ISSUE IN THE USA MARKET. LOCAL DEALERS ARE NOT BEING INFORMED. A CALL TO BRP CUSTOMER SERVICE RESULTED TO IN ADVICE TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN RIDING THE BRP SPYDER, RT WITH A SUGGESTION TO GET TO A AUTHORIZED DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ID

10541929

Incident

Sep 1, 2013

Mileage

800 mi

THE PANELS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE GET EXCESSIVELY HOT, TO THE POINT OF BURNING MY LEG. THE EXHAUST IS TOO CLOSE TO THE PANELS AND THE PANELS AND SCREWS GET HOT TO THE POINT YOU CANNOT TOUCH THEM WITHOUT BEING BURNED. AND CANNOT RIDE WITH YOUR LEGS AGAINST THE BODY. END UP SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME NOT TOUCHING THE PANELS AND NOT ENOUGH TIME ON THE ROAD. ALSO,THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF HEAT TRAPPED UNDER THE PANELS.*JB

NHTSA ID

10538604

Incident

Jul 8, 2013

Mileage

25 mi