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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

What owners actually said

102 reports
20 miles · Aug 8, 2014
Engine

VEHICLE GETS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE , BLOWS VERY HOT AIR ONTO RIGHT LEG. HEAT TRAVELS UP TO LEG AND UNDER SEAT RIGHT WHERE YOU SIT ON TOP OF TANK. MIDDLE CLOVE DEPARTMENT TO HOT TO TOUCH AS WELL TANK UNDERNEATH. DEALER TOOK COMPLAIN AND WRAPPED PIPES AND INSTALLED HEATSHIELD WHICH DID NOT TAKE CARE OF PROBL…

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VEHICLE GETS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE , BLOWS VERY HOT AIR ONTO RIGHT LEG. HEAT TRAVELS UP TO LEG AND UNDER SEAT RIGHT WHERE YOU SIT ON TOP OF TANK. MIDDLE CLOVE DEPARTMENT TO HOT TO TOUCH AS WELL TANK UNDERNEATH. DEALER TOOK COMPLAIN AND WRAPPED PIPES AND INSTALLED HEATSHIELD WHICH DID NOT TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM AND REDIRECTED THE HEAT COMING OUT ON A DIFFERENT ANGLE. BRP REFUSES TO COOPERATE ON ANY MORE SOLUTIONS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM CONCERND THAT THE MOTOR WILL OVER HEAT SINCE THE AIRFLOW AT THE ENGINE HAS REALY NO ESCAPE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10620957

2,000 miles · Aug 4, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION, I CAN SMELL GAS FUMES. I SUSPECT GAS BOILING IN GAS TANK, AS THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN PAST WITH THIS MOTORCYCLE. PLUS, WHENEVER PARKING IN THE GARAGE I HAVE TO LEAVE TO GARAGE DOOR OPEN FOR AT LEAST A HALF AN HOUR FOR THE GAS FUMES TO CLEAR OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618790

4,500 miles · Jul 31, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion SystemFire

FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT MY SPYDER, I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH EXTREME HEAT AT THE LOWER RIGHT AND IN THE AREA AHEAD OF THE SEAT. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF FUMES AFTER PARKING, DRIPPING FUEL, AND FUEL BOILING WITH THE GAS CAP HEATED TO THE POINT THAT I COULD ONLY OPEN IT WHILE WEARING GLOVES. DURING ONE OF MY FIRST TIMES REFUELI…

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FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT MY SPYDER, I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH EXTREME HEAT AT THE LOWER RIGHT AND IN THE AREA AHEAD OF THE SEAT. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF FUMES AFTER PARKING, DRIPPING FUEL, AND FUEL BOILING WITH THE GAS CAP HEATED TO THE POINT THAT I COULD ONLY OPEN IT WHILE WEARING GLOVES. DURING ONE OF MY FIRST TIMES REFUELING WHILE LOOSENING THE GAS CAP MY HANDS WERE WASHED WITH FUEL THAT WAS EXPELLED UNDER PRESSURE, SOAKING MY GLOVES. AFTERWARD I WAS CAREFUL TO OPEN THE CAP SLOWLY (LIKE A COKE CAN UNDER PRESSURE) TO RELIEVE THE BUILT UP PRESSURE IN THE GAS TANK. HEAT ON MY FOOT WAS SO BAD THAT I'VE GONE THROUGH MANY PAIRS OF BOOTS AND WORE FIRE/HEAT RESISTANT SOCKS TO MITIGATE DISCOMFORT. I HAD THE ECM SOFTWARE UPDATE/FUSE BOX SEALING WARRANTY CAMPAIGN [2013-9] DONE ON MY BIKE AT THE MALCOLM SMITH MOTORSPORTS DEALERSHIP. I CONTINUED TO HAVE HEAT ISSUES. AFTER IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THERE WASN'T A SOLUTION TO MY HEAT PROBLEM, I HAD THE EXHAUST WRAPPED AND INSULATION INSTALLED. THIS HAD LITTLE TO NO EFFECT ON REDUCING HEAT. ON SATURDAY (JULY 26, 2014) I LEFT MY HOME AT 5:50 PM TO RIDE. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 95 DEGREES. ONCE AGAIN, I NOTICED HEAT WHILE RIDING. AT ABOUT 6:20 PM, TRAVELING AT A CRUISE-CONTROLLED 60 MPH ON AMBOY ROAD IN THE MOJAVE DESERT, I SMELLED HOT OR BURNING PLASTIC AND THEN I OBSERVED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY SPYDER. AS I BEGAN TO SLOW, I ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA JUST AHEAD OF THE SEAT. THINKING IT WAS EITHER AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OR MELTING BODYWORK, I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOPPED AND HIT THE KILL ENGINE SWITCH. AFTER GETTING OFF THE BIKE, I OPENED THE SEAT. INSTANTLY THERE WAS A ?WHOOSHING? SOUND AND THE BIKE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I RAN ACROSS THE ROAD, CALLED 911, AND WHILE WAITING FOR THE FIRE CREW I TOOK PICTURES AND VIDEO OF MY BURNING SPYDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617819

11,000 miles · Jul 28, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System

THIS MOTORCYCLE CONTINUALLY HAS A VERY HEAVY FUEL SMELL AFTER RIDING. THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE ENGINE IS EXTREME AND CAUSES MY RIGHT FOOT TO BE VERY HOT. WHEN I ARRIVE AT HOME I HAVE TO USE A FAN IN THE GARAGE TO GET RID OF THE FUEL SMELL. BRP/DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. I AM AFRAID THAT THERE WILL BE A FIRE SIMILAR TO THE ON…

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THIS MOTORCYCLE CONTINUALLY HAS A VERY HEAVY FUEL SMELL AFTER RIDING. THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE ENGINE IS EXTREME AND CAUSES MY RIGHT FOOT TO BE VERY HOT. WHEN I ARRIVE AT HOME I HAVE TO USE A FAN IN THE GARAGE TO GET RID OF THE FUEL SMELL. BRP/DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. I AM AFRAID THAT THERE WILL BE A FIRE SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT HAPPENED THIS PAST SATURDAY, 26 JULY 2014 HERE IN CALIFORNIA. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10616893

3,825 miles · Jul 26, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

EVERY TIME I RIDE THE BIKE WHEN IT GETS TO OPERATING TEMPS AND I STOP ALL I SMELLS RAW FUEL VAPORS GOOD THING I DON'T SMOKE I AM AFRAID IT WILL BLOW UP I CANT PUT BIKE IN GARAGE WHEN I GET HOME BECAUSE OF THE SMELL AFRAID MY HOUSE WILL CATCH FIRE WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS DEAL SAYS ITS NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616468

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

2,000 miles · May 30, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPIDER RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT ACROSS THE FLOORBOARD AREA. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN BLEW HOT AIR FROM THE RIGHT SIDE, WHICH WAS BURNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL CAP WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPIDER RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT ACROSS THE FLOORBOARD AREA. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN BLEW HOT AIR FROM THE RIGHT SIDE, WHICH WAS BURNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL CAP WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 11/21/14*LJ UPDATED 8/30/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10595183

100 miles · May 24, 2014
Engine

HOT AIR FROM THE RADIATOR BLOWING ON THE RIGHT LEG REACHES 140 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AT THE ANKLE. THE TEMPERATURE WAS MONITORED USING A DIGITAL THERMOMETER WITH A REMOTE READOUT. THIS TEMPERATURE READING WAS REPEATED ON SUBSEQUENT TESTS. THE HEAT MAKES THE BIKE VIRTUALLY UNRIDEABLE DURING THE SUMMER WITHOUT TAKING THE RISK OF…

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HOT AIR FROM THE RADIATOR BLOWING ON THE RIGHT LEG REACHES 140 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AT THE ANKLE. THE TEMPERATURE WAS MONITORED USING A DIGITAL THERMOMETER WITH A REMOTE READOUT. THIS TEMPERATURE READING WAS REPEATED ON SUBSEQUENT TESTS. THE HEAT MAKES THE BIKE VIRTUALLY UNRIDEABLE DURING THE SUMMER WITHOUT TAKING THE RISK OF BURNS TO THE RIGHT LEG. THE MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO TALK WITH ME ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593913

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2014
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CAN-AM SPYDER RT. THE CONTACT RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V386000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10592382

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