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2013 CAN-AM Spyder Rt

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

90 reports with mileage · 12 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports4 fire reports15 injury reports

Structure complaints

20 reports
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2,387 miles · Aug 21, 2014
EngineStructure

THE AREA AROUND THE FRONT OF THE SEAT AND BODYWORK GETS EXTREMELY HOT, HOT ENOUGH THAT LEGS/THIGHS BECOME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND HAVE TO RAISE OFF OF SEAT WHENEVER STOPPED TO GET SOME RELIEF FROM THE HEAT. THIS IS ESPECIALLY APPARENT WHEN RIDING IN WARMER WEATHER AND SITTING AT STOPLIGHTS AND STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE HOT AIR C…

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THE AREA AROUND THE FRONT OF THE SEAT AND BODYWORK GETS EXTREMELY HOT, HOT ENOUGH THAT LEGS/THIGHS BECOME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND HAVE TO RAISE OFF OF SEAT WHENEVER STOPPED TO GET SOME RELIEF FROM THE HEAT. THIS IS ESPECIALLY APPARENT WHEN RIDING IN WARMER WEATHER AND SITTING AT STOPLIGHTS AND STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE HOT AIR COMING OUT OF THE LOWER RIGHT SIDE DIRECTLY ONTO RIGHT LEG AND BOOT IS ALSO BECOMES VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. THE STORAGE BOX IN FRONT OF THE SEAT IS BASICALLY UNUSABLE DUE TO THE HEAT AND THE BODYWORK ALSO BECOMES EXTREMELY HOT AT TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627236

5,000 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

THERE IS EXCESSIVE HEAT ON THE RIGHT FOOT AND LOWER LEG AT ALL SPEEDS TO THE EXTENT THAT ONE HAS TO PUT THEIR FOOT ON THE PASSENGER FOOTBOARD TO KEEP THE DISCOMFORT AT A TOLERABLE LEVEL. THERE IS ALSO EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE FRONT AND SIDES OF THE SEAT ALSO TO THE POINT OF DISCOMFORT. AFTER RIDING FOR A SHORT TIME (WELL…

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THERE IS EXCESSIVE HEAT ON THE RIGHT FOOT AND LOWER LEG AT ALL SPEEDS TO THE EXTENT THAT ONE HAS TO PUT THEIR FOOT ON THE PASSENGER FOOTBOARD TO KEEP THE DISCOMFORT AT A TOLERABLE LEVEL. THERE IS ALSO EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE FRONT AND SIDES OF THE SEAT ALSO TO THE POINT OF DISCOMFORT. AFTER RIDING FOR A SHORT TIME (WELL LESS THAN 30 MINUTES) IF THE SEAT IS RAISED, ONE CANNOT TOUCH ANY SURFACE UNDER THE SEAT FOR FEAR OF BEING BURNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627017

3,000 miles · Aug 16, 2014
Structure

AS YOU CLEARLY CAN SEE CAN AM SPYDER 2013 HAS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEAT I OWN ONE AND THIS MACHINE IS QUITE DANGEROUS I HAVE INSTALLED TEMP GAUGES ON MY MACHINE AND HAVE STUDIED THIS ISSUE THOUROUGLY ... I WOULD INVITE AN INVESTIGATOR TO COME VISIT AND SPEND 30 MINUTES WITH ME AND MY MACHINE . YOU WILL SEE FOR YOURSELF THE PROO…

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AS YOU CLEARLY CAN SEE CAN AM SPYDER 2013 HAS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEAT I OWN ONE AND THIS MACHINE IS QUITE DANGEROUS I HAVE INSTALLED TEMP GAUGES ON MY MACHINE AND HAVE STUDIED THIS ISSUE THOUROUGLY ... I WOULD INVITE AN INVESTIGATOR TO COME VISIT AND SPEND 30 MINUTES WITH ME AND MY MACHINE . YOU WILL SEE FOR YOURSELF THE PROOF ... YOU CAN FEEL THE MACHINE AND MONITOR THE GAUGES I HAVE INSTALLED AND MAKE YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT. I THINK IT WILL SAVE A LIFE. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE BUT MY FEELING IS HAVING CONVERSATION.... THEY REALLY WON'T DO MUCH UNTIL FORCED. AS WE ALL KNOW ITS ABOUT THE MONEY, LIVES SEEM SECONDARY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10625787

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineSeatsStructure

I FOUND THAT AFTER DRIVING MY MOTORCYCLE THE SEAT IS VERY HOT AND THE GAS CAP IS TOO HOT TO TOUCH. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED EXCESSIVE HEAT ON MY RIGHT LEG THAT GETS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH PROPER RIDING GEAR. THE BIKE HAS HAD NO MODIFICATION DONE TO IT. I LOVE RIDING IT BUT IT MAKES VERY HARD ON HOT DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622664

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemStructure

THIS IS MY 3RD SPYDER. ALTHOUGH I AM HAPPY WITH IT, IT DOES EMIT HEAT IN WHICH SOMETIMES ON HOT SUMMER AND HUMID DAYS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE FEELING. THIS MODEL YEAR EMITS MORE HEAT THAN PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622523

5 miles · Aug 13, 2014
StructureInjury

WE PURCHASED A BRAND-NEW 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RT FROM A DEALER. FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD HEAT ISSUES. MY WIFE RECEIVED MINOR BURNS TO HER LEG AS A RESULT OF THE HEAT EMITTING FROM THE PLASTIC SIDE PANELS. WE HAVE RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED SOME ALUMINUM FOIL ON DOUBLE SIDED TAPE TO TRY T…

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WE PURCHASED A BRAND-NEW 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RT FROM A DEALER. FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD HEAT ISSUES. MY WIFE RECEIVED MINOR BURNS TO HER LEG AS A RESULT OF THE HEAT EMITTING FROM THE PLASTIC SIDE PANELS. WE HAVE RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED SOME ALUMINUM FOIL ON DOUBLE SIDED TAPE TO TRY TO CUT DOWN THE HEAT. THIS HAD LITTLE EFFECT. THE DEALER CONTACTED BRP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WHAT OTHERS HAD DONE TO MITIGATE IT AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE. THE BIKE IS BACK IN THE SHOP AND I'VE EMAILED BRP CUSTOMER CARE TO SEE WHAT THEY INTEND TO DO ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622114

75 miles · Aug 8, 2014
StructureInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BODY PANEL OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY DUE TO THE FAILURE BUT D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BODY PANEL OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY DUE TO THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75.

NHTSA ODI #10620985

220 miles · Jul 23, 2014
EngineSeatsStructureInjury

I WAS OUT FOR A RIDE AND NOTICED THE HEAT ON MY THIGH AND LEG I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS A RECALL ISSUE AND THEY APPLIED A THIN STRIP OF HEAT TAPE UNDER GLOVE BOX. SO ON JUNE 10TH I NOTICED IT WAS GETTING EVEN HOTTER SO I GOT A THERMOSTAT AND PUT IN GLOVE BOX AND RODE OVER TO THE DEALER, A 20 MINUTE RIDE…

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I WAS OUT FOR A RIDE AND NOTICED THE HEAT ON MY THIGH AND LEG I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS A RECALL ISSUE AND THEY APPLIED A THIN STRIP OF HEAT TAPE UNDER GLOVE BOX. SO ON JUNE 10TH I NOTICED IT WAS GETTING EVEN HOTTER SO I GOT A THERMOSTAT AND PUT IN GLOVE BOX AND RODE OVER TO THE DEALER, A 20 MINUTE RIDE, THE THERMOSTAT REGISTERED 155 THIS AREA WAS SO HOT IT MELTED MY SEAT AND BURN MY THIGH. SO ON JUNE 23RD I LEFT IT AT DEALERS AND BRP INFORMED THEM TO APPLY MORE HEAT TAPE AND REPLACE THE SEAT,WHICH WAS DONE. I PICKED IT UP ON JULY 9 THE AND RODE IT HOME AND GOT BURNED AND IT REGISTERED 150 AFTER A 20 MINUTE RIDE AND THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS MID 70'S. SEEMS LIKE HEAT LIKE THAT OVER A GAS TANK IS ASKING FOR TROUBLE BEFORE SOMEONE GET BLOWN UP. BRP HAS NO ANSWERS FOR US, PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHY NOT AND SAVE US FROM INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615793

500 miles · Jun 27, 2014
EngineService BrakesStructure

I ROAD MY RT FROM MARYLAND TO MYRTLE BEACH SC. ON THE WAY THERE THE BIKE WAS HEATING UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE BURNING MY PASSENGER AND MY LEG. ONCE I GOT THERE I TOOK THE BIKE TO A BRP DEALERSHIP TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND HAD TO PAY $335. I ASKED THEM TO DO A CHECK UP BECAUSE MY BREAKS WERE SQEAKING AND THERE WAS HOT AIR COMING FROM…

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I ROAD MY RT FROM MARYLAND TO MYRTLE BEACH SC. ON THE WAY THERE THE BIKE WAS HEATING UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE BURNING MY PASSENGER AND MY LEG. ONCE I GOT THERE I TOOK THE BIKE TO A BRP DEALERSHIP TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND HAD TO PAY $335. I ASKED THEM TO DO A CHECK UP BECAUSE MY BREAKS WERE SQEAKING AND THERE WAS HOT AIR COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE AND THAT THE CONTROLS FOR THE PASSENGER DO NOT WORK . WHEN I WENT TO PICK MY BIKE UP THEY TOLD ME I HAD SEVERAL RECALLS ON MY BIKE, AND THE SWITCH WAS BAD. I SAID I JUST GOT IT MAY 17, 2014 AND THEY SAID NONE OF THE RECALLS WERE DONE. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT TELL ME THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE RT. I THINK THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO TELL CUSTOMERS THAT THERE ARE RECALLS. I DID NOT RECEIVE AND RECALL NOTIFICATION IN THE MAIL EITHER. I DID CONTACT A BRP DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL HAVE TO KEEP MY BIKE FOR 1 - 2 WEEKS TO FIND OUT WHAT THE RECALLS ARE. E ARE 25 COMPLAINTS AND NO INVESTIGATIONS I THINK NHTSA NEED TO DO SOME INVESTIGATIONS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS BADLY INJURED. EVERYTHING I HAVE READ HAD BASICALLY HAPPENED TO ME TOO. PLEASE HELP US TO GET THIS PROBLEM SOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606604

2,598 miles · Sep 10, 2013
Electrical SystemStructure

I HAVE A REAL SAFETY CONCERN INVOLVING THE RT'S. THE BUTTON THAT OPERATES THE PARK/FRONT TRUNK OPENER CAN...AND HAS, RESULTED IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE BUTTON TO OPEN THE FRONT TRUNK FAILED TO UNLATCH THE TRUNK. IT WILL ONLY UNLATCH WHEN THE BIKE IS POWERED ON. YESTERDAY, 9/9/13, MY GRANDSON WANTED ME TO TAKE HIM FOR A …

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I HAVE A REAL SAFETY CONCERN INVOLVING THE RT'S. THE BUTTON THAT OPERATES THE PARK/FRONT TRUNK OPENER CAN...AND HAS, RESULTED IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE BUTTON TO OPEN THE FRONT TRUNK FAILED TO UNLATCH THE TRUNK. IT WILL ONLY UNLATCH WHEN THE BIKE IS POWERED ON. YESTERDAY, 9/9/13, MY GRANDSON WANTED ME TO TAKE HIM FOR A RIDE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I PUT ON HIS HELMET AND PLACED HIM ON THE BACK OF THE BIKE. I NEEDED TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE FRONT TRUNK, SO I PUSHED THE BUTTON DOWN TO OPEN IT...IT FAILED TO OPEN AFTER REPEATED TRIES. I GOT OFF THE BIKE AND AS I WAS PUSHING THE BUTTON I WAS LIFTING UP ON THE TRUNK TO SEE IF IT WAS OPENING. WHILE PUSHING THE BUTTON, IT TOGGLED TO THE PARK POSITION AND THE BIKE STARTED GOING BACK AND DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THANKFULLY I AM QUICK ON MY FEET I WAS ABLE TO RUN WITH AND JUMP ON THE BIKE TO STOP IT. WHY WHY WOULD THEY PUT THE TRUNK OPENER ON THE SAME SWITCH AS THE PARK??? I WAS SHAKING FOR A GOOD 1/2 HOUR OVER THAT, THINKING ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WEREN'T ABLE TO JUMP ON THAT BIKE AS FAST AS I DID TO STOP IT. BRP REALLY NEEDS TO RESTRUCTURE THIS PARK/TRUNK OPENER FEATURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543001

Official recalls

2

15V095000 · Engine

Feb 19, 2015

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) is recalling all model year 2013 Can-Am Spyder RT motorcycles. Prolonged idling or slow speed riding in warmer temperatures may result very high temperatures in the engine compartment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Very high temperatures in the engine compartment may increase the risk of skin burns or a vehicle fire.

Remedy: BRP has notified owners. Dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact BRP customer service at 1-888-272-9222.

13V386000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Aug 28, 2013

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) is recalling certain model year 2013 Can-Am Spyder RT series and ST series motorcycles. The tandem brake master cylinder manifold inlet may melt allowing the brake fluid to leak out.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Brake fluid may leak onto a heat source, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BRP will notify owners and dealers will install heat shields and a heat deflector, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early September 2013. Owners may contact BRP at 1-888-638-5397.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE14025 · Motorcycle Fires

Opened Aug 4, 2014 · Closed May 22, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline

This Preliminary Evaluation was opened after NHTSA became aware of two fires involving a MY 2011 and a MY 2013 Can-Am Spyder RT manufactured by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP).Both occurred within days of each other in July, 2014.The first report (VOQ 10615679) involved a 2011 Spyder RT, converted for police work and operated by the Morgantown, WV police department burned while being operated on July 20, 2014.The second report (VOQ10617819) involved a 2013 Spyder RT that burned while being operated near the 29 Palms Marine base in the Mojave desert.After a comprehensive review of all information and test data collected during the investigation NHTSA staff met with BRP to discuss its findings.After careful consideration BRP decided to conduct a safety recall (15V095) to address operator burns from elevated vehicle surface temperatures, fuel boiling due to inadequate management of engine compartment heat, and excessive fuel vapor emissions due to the inability of the bikes evaporative emissions system to capture those vapors. We received the company's defect information report on February 13, 2015 and owners began receiving an interim recall notice on February 26th.The interim notice told owners that the recall remedy was in development and would be available in May, 2015.In addition, BRP agreed to, and has undertaken, the following actions:1.Re-notified owners subject to recalls 12V581 and 582 to increase the number who have the recall remedies installed; and 2.Improved its internal system (BossWeb) so that dealers may accurately determine whether a BRP street-legal product has had all relevant recalls completed.With BRP's recall, and its other actions, this PE is closed.For additional detailed information on this investigation, see the attached closing report.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following (ODI) numbers:10422389,10441182,10451964,10454644,10464103,10488563,10495091, 10499920,10534185,10538604,10542236,10544661,10544745,10545679, 10545719,10547665,10547672,10547761,10549949,10551480,10574592, 10576999,10579466,10582917,10587190,10587196,10587659,10593913, 10595183,10606604,10607045,10615679,10615793,10616468,10616523, 10616893,10617819,10618790,10620886,10620985,10621062,10621082, 10621271,10621881,10621966,10622101,10622114,10622350,10622356, 10622523,10622664,10625899,10626242,10626248,10626578,10626680, 10626861,10627017,10627095,10627236,10627336,10627768,10627778, 10628178,10628215,10628314,10629231,10629665,10630345,10630901, 10631241,10631265,10631290,10631419,10631703,10631868,10632763, 10638824,10649988,10650058,10650065,10650128,10650131,10650531, 10650634,10650686,10650717,10650745,10650747,10650802,10650812, 10650899,10651070,10651083,10651134,10651139,10651343,10651478, 10651558,10651858,10651917,10659906,10664024