CAN-AM Spyder Complaints (2008)

72 consumer complaints on file.

#11747069June 28, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
While riding, the bike abruptly started decelerating , then it cut off. Then the DPS/VSS errors and limp mode showed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11210216May 27, 2019
SERVICE BRAKES
08 CAN AM SPYDER .PARK BRAKE WARNING ON .PARK BRAKE NOT HOLDING . BUT BRAKES LOCKED UP AFTER BACKING OUT OF GARAGE. WAITED ABOUT 20 MIN AND THEY RELEASED. BUT LOCKED UP AGAIN WHEN APPLIED FOOT BRAKE . EACH TIME I USED FOOT BRAKE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN.HAVE NOT RIDDEN SINCE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11209121May 21, 2019
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER GS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DPS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DPS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. *TR *AS *BF *AS 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11143560October 28, 2018
STEERING
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!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11141368October 18, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2008 CAN-AM SPYDER GS THIS BIKE IS WORTHLESS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BACK. MY BIKE WILL NOT GO OUT OF LIMP MODE EVER AGAIN. CAN'T BE FIXED. SPENT A LOT OF MONEY AND TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT ISSUE AT DEALER. NO TECHNICIAN THAT EVEN KNOW THE YEAR AND ANY PROBLEM ISSUES. RECALL THIS BIKE OR AT LEAST MAKE IT RIGHT!
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11030468September 29, 2017
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING, WHICH CALLED FOR THE SOFTWARE CLUSTER CONSOLE TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE RECEIVED THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO STEER THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE TAMPA BAY POWER SPORTS DEALER (13521 N FLORIDA AVENUE, TAMPA, FL; 813-968-7888) AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V162000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL AND WARRANTY, THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED REPAIRED AND WOULD NOT RECEIVE A SECOND REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11025222September 24, 2017
STEERING
I PURCHASED A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER GS IN 2008. VIN [XXX] VEHICLE PURCHASE DATE 03/06/2008 BRP ISSUED A RECALL ON SEPT 7, 2010 FOR A DYNAMIC POWER STEERING (DPS) UNIT REPLACEMENT HTTPS://CAN-AM.BRP.COM/SPYDER/OWNERS/SAFETY/SAFETY-RECALLS/DYNAMIC-POWER-STEERING--DPS--UNIT-REPLACEMENT.HTML THE RECALL WAS DUE TO A FAULTY POWER STEERING CONTROL UNIT, WHICH SEVERELY HAMPERED THE ABILITY TO TURN THE BIKE, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS FOR SHARPER TURNS. I HAD THE DPS REPLACED IN 2011. THE UNIT HAS AGAIN FAILED, AND THE REPAIR SHOP (DEL AMO MOTORSPORTS IN REDONDO BEACH, CA...WHO DID THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT) HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE IS THE EXACT SAME FAILURE AS THE RECALL. I FILED A CASE NUMBER WITH BRP, BRP CASE # 01010694, WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY COVER THE REPLACEMENT AGAIN, AS THIS HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED. UPON FILING THE REQUEST, CAN-AM DID REJECT THE CLAIM AND SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS AS A RECALL. THIS IS NOT SIMPLY A REPAIR TO A REPAIR. THIS IS ANOTHER FAILURE OF THE RECALL, WHICH MEANS THIS SHOULD FALL UNDER THE RECALL CONDITIONS AGAIN. I AM NOT ASKING FOR CAN-AM TO COVER ALL OF THE WORK, SIMPLY COVER THE PART (THE DPS UNIT), WHICH COSTS OVER $1200 USD. AS A RECALLED PART THEY SHOULD HONOR THE PART FOR AN ACCEPTABLE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. IN THIS CASE, THE REPLACED DPS UNIT HAS ONLY LASTED FOR 2-3000 MILES, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE. BRP SHOULD COVER ALL OF THE RECALL REPAIR, OR AT LEAST THE PART (THE NEW DPS UNIT), WHICH TOTALS OVER $1200 USD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10893331August 4, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
MY VSS,ABS, AND 4 OTHER CODES CONSTANTLY FLASH. THIS MACHINE LOSES POWER BEFORE I GET TO THIRD GEAR. I WAS TRAVELING ON A BUSY CITY STREET DURING LUNCH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE I LOSE POWER AND I GET A CHECK DPS ,VSS FAULT, HIGHTEMP, CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNINGS. ALMOST REAR ENDED BEFORE SWAYING OFF THE ONTO THE SHOULDER. ONE DAY ITS RUNNING FINE THE NEXT DAY EVERY WARNING LIGHT ON IT COMES ON THERE ARE SOME REAL ISSUES FOR A BIKE THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND WITH SUCH LOW MILES . THIS PURCHASE HAS CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT PURCHASING A NEW ONE . I LOVE THE WHOLE CONCEPT BUT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO GET A LOT OF THINGS CORRECTED TO WIN ME OVER AGAIN. I WILL NOT ALLOW MY SON OR WIFE TO RIDE BECAUSE I FEAR FOR THEM IF THIS THING MALFUNCTION IN TRAFFIC. PLEASE BPR DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS MADNESS. GREAT IDEA BUT IT HAS NOT LIVED UP TO EXPECTATIONS, TOO MUCH MONEY SPENT FIXING THIS BIKE. I HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 IN REPAIRS AND I STAY IN LIMP MODE. NOT FAIR ! BACK TO THE SHOP AGAIN ,THIS TIME IT WILL HAVE A FOR SALE SIGN ATTACHED !!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10875439June 20, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 CAN AM SPYDER ON CT-2 WEST BOUND IN CONNECTICUT AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30PM IN SLOW MOVING, STOP & GO TRAFFIC MY WIFE (WHO WAS THE PASSENGER) NOTICED BY HER RIGHT FOOD THERE WERE FIRE FLAMES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SIMULTANEOUSLY I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED THE BIKE IMMEDIATELY AND BOTH ME AND MY PASSENGER DISMOUNTED THE BIKE. WE QUICKLY MOVED AWAY FROM THE BIKE AS WE FEARED OUR SAFETY WAS IN JEOPARDY. WE COULD NOT RETRIEVE ANY OF OUR BELONGINGS. THE BIKE THEN BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FIRE/FLAMES. WE CALLED 911 EMERGENT. THE BIKE COMPLETELY BURNED TO THE FRAME BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND STATE TROOPER ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS. WE HAVE MORE PHOTOS IF NEEDED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10860731April 21, 2016
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THEN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE POWER STEERING FUSE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION; HOWEVER, A CHECK DPS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. ON ONE OCCASION, THE DPS WAS RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ROTOR ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. IN 2010, THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V162000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10767422September 22, 2015
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER. ONCE THE CONTACT BEGAN RIDING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING FAILED AND A CHECK DPS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DPS UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10760438August 31, 2015
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT REQUIRED FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V162000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10721267May 24, 2015
STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE DYNAMIC POWER STEERING UNIT WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED ON 12-15-2010. WHEN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT IN TO RIDE NOW POWER SPORTS PHOENIX 17202 N. CAVE CREEK RD. PHOENIX, AZ. 85032. IT ALSO FLASHED ON THE DASH THAT THE DPS UNIT NEEDED CHECKED. ON 6-3-2014 THE MILEAGE ON THE UNIT WAS 12,000. THE DEALER NOTIFIED BRP THAT THIS HAD OCCURRED, CLAIM # 313909. BRP MANAGEMENT SAID THE CAN AM SPIDER WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE DEALER TO FIX IT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $ FOR PARTS PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL. AT $ PER HOUR FOR LABOR, THAT COULD AMOUNT TO A LARGE SUM. THE TECH TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING UNIT WAS WORKING FINE BUT THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BY ITSELF, DUE TO THE FACT IT WAS SEALED INSIDE THE DYNAMIC POWER STEERING UNIT. THE WHOLE UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF A COUPLE OF THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR A $ SENSOR. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT IF I CHOSE TO HAVE RIDE NOW SPORTS OF PHOENIX, AZ INSTALL THE NEW DPS UNIT, IT WOULD ONLY CARRY A 90 DAY WARRANTY. WHILE I WAS AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT A CUSTOMER WITH A 2014 CAN AM SPIDER CAME IN WITH THE SAME ISSUE ON A NEWER MODEL. THIS REALLY DISCOURAGED ME TO INVEST IN A NEW UNIT TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THAT HASN'T BEEN RECTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE WARRANTY ENDED ACCORDING TO BRP ON 11-25-2013. I FEEL THIS IS NEGLIGENT ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTURER TO NOT HANDLE THIS AT THEIR EXPENSE. PLEASE HELP ME, (THE CONSUMER), IN HOLDING THESE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAWS THAT AFFECT THE SAFE OPERATION OF THEIR VEHICLES ON AMERICAN ROADS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION THIS MATTER SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10694869March 17, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER GS 5S Y (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 09V162000 (STEERING), 12V581000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), AND 12V582000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10659966November 21, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PARKED, IT BEGAN SMOKING. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10658857November 18, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, SEATS
THE BACKREST, WHICH HOLDS THE PASSENGER FROM FALLING OFF THE REAR OF THIS 3 WHEELED MOTORCYCLE, IS MANUFACTURED FROM MATERIALS NOT SUBSTANTIAL ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE STRESS PLACED UPON IT, AND HAS BROKEN ON ONE SIDE. IF THE REMAINING SIDE FAILS THE PASSENGER CAN BE THROUGH FROM THE VEHICLE. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THIS PRODUCT IS ENGINEERED AND MANUFACTURED IN A MANOR IN WHICH SOMEONE WILL BE CATASTROPHICALLY INJURED OR THE END RESULT WILL BE DEATH IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT CORRECTED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN DETAIL WITH THE REPRESENTING DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS (BRP) BOTH PARTIES HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION, AND BOTH HAVE DECLINED STATING THE FAILING ASSEMBLY IS ?OUT OF WARRANTY? THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA. THE WRITER CAN PROVIDE PICTURES AND A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THIS FAILURE AT MY RESIDENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10650926October 29, 2014
ENGINE
MAIN SHAFT BEARINGS FAILED AT 24,000 MILES CAN AM TECHNICAL ADVISORIES HAVE DECREASED ATTENTION ON MAIN DRIVE BELT TWICE. MONTHS DELAY ON REPLACEMENT PARTS MAKES ME THINK A LOT OF THESE ARE FAILING. UNABLE TO GET ADEQUATE EXPLANATION FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE OUT OF CANADA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10627539August 22, 2014
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CAN-AM SPYDER GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10616635July 27, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE BODY PANEL AREA CAUSING THE FUEL IN THE GAS TANK TO BOIL. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10604634June 19, 2014
ENGINE
DRIVING ON I 75 NORTHBOUND IN TROY, MI, THE MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATED, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY 78 DEGREES OUTSIDE. IT WENT INTO LIMP MODE, CAUSING RAPID DECELERATION, NEARLY CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION, WHICH THE DRIVER BEHIND JUST AVOIDED HITTING ME. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY OTHER CAN AM SPIDER ALSO. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS A NORMAL THING, AND BOMBARDIER SAYS IT IS SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN IN EXTREME HEAT. BUT 78 DEGREES IS NOT EXTREME HEAT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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