2011 Can-Am Spyder Rt problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (8) · Engine (6) · Power Train (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Can-Am Spyder Rt model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
22 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap 2012-12-12 · campaign 12V582000 · 33,700 vehicles
Defect: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Can-Am Spyder GS, RS, and RT series vehicles. The fuel cap may not fit onto the fuel tank filler neck, preventing it from sealing properly.
Risk: If the fuel cap does not seal properly, it may leak fuel vapors. Fuel vapors in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire and personal injury.
Fix: BRP will notify owners and send them a replacement fuel cap, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in mid-January 2013. Owners may contact BRP AT 1-888-638-5397.
Power Train:manual Transmission:column Shift Assembly 2011-02-07 · campaign 11V081000 · 378 vehicles
Defect: BRP IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SPYDER RT SM5 ROADSTERS. WHILE DOWN SHIFTING IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO INADVERTENTLY ENGAGE REVERSE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE REVERSE BUTTON DUE TO A DEFECTIVE REVERSE ACTUATOR CABLE.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD, THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK AND THE ENGINE COULD STALL. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THE VEHICLE COULD BACK UP. A VEHICLE STALL WITHOUT WARNING OR AN EXPECTED MOVEMENT IN REVERSE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL VALIDATE PROPER OPERATION OF THE REVERSE ACTUATOR AND IF DEFECTIVE, THE REVERSE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALLBEGAN ON FEBRUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRP AT 1-888-638-5397.
Service bulletins (29)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2025-05-15 · Service Bulletin 2016-7 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
electric throttle actuator replacement the electric throttle actuator (eta) is now available for spare part. in case of any eta defect, it is not necessary anymore to replace the complete throttle body assembly.
Power Train 2024-03-18 · TST 140875 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
revision of tst 140875 p0730 active fault fault code can be triggered if the unit has the wrong rear sprocket or a different wheel size. the cluster will stop displaying the gear indication and check engine light came on (limp home condition) and the gearbox won't shift.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2022-12-06 · TST 140654 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
missing or damaged scavenge pump components could lead to poor engine performance on 1330 engines.
Parking Brake 2015-07-14 · D-94530 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
electric parking brake not holding when applied.
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:radiator Assembly 2015-06-26 · 112333 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service tip (tst): customer may complain of excessive heat felt in the engine compartment in certain riding conditions. the solution is to install the air scoop kit. note that this will not reduce heat felt on the rh foot by the radiator fan.
Visibility:windshield 2014-09-05 · TST-219-800 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
brp mc: on certain motorcycles, when riding. the windshield will drop and a high windshield refurbish kit is now available to address this issue. *pe
Showing the 6 most recent of 29 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-08-09 · Fuel/Propulsion System“ this vehicle emits raw fuel fumes under pressure while driving and after parked for up to 45 minutes. sometimes can her the fuel boiling in the fuel tank. if parked n a garage and any spark is near the vehicle will blow up. if parked outside the fumes are overpowering and if someone drops a cigarette nearby there will be an explosion.. i have cont…”
2021-12-01 · Power Train“while driving vehicle it will randomly shift into reverse. it first happened 8/ 2021 dealer replaced reverse actuator it was returned the following week for the same problem, we got it back and a month later and it has done it again brp has acknowledged the problem because there was another vehicle that has had the same or similar problem. they h…”
2020-04-03 · Power Train“i completed the first oil change on my 2011 rt trike (motorcyle) (i purchased it from a dealer used so it may be the first oil change ever performed since it only has 3500 miles. i found a small screw( like a hex screw) part inside the oil pan magnet. see the attached photo. no aware that the engine is self destroying from the inside. it is a s…”
2019-01-07 · Power Train · 18,000 mi“i own a 2011 canam spyder rt sm5 and have been experiencing a problem with the bike going into reverse while shifting. i found a recall letter concerning this about the "reverse actuator cable", on recall for the 2011 models, but when i put my vin # in it comes up as "no recalls ". i'm clearly having this problem for over 6 months now and need to k…”
2017-10-29 · Engine · 2,935 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2011 can-am roadster spyder rt motorcycle. while driving 35 mph, the engine failed and flames appeared under the motorcycle near the engine area. the contact was able to move safely onto the road shoulder. the fire department assisted to contain the fire and a fire report was filed. the motorcycle was taken to a tow yard. t…”
2017-10-06 · Engine · 2,935 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2011 can-am roadster spyder rt motorcycle. while driving 35 mph, the engine failed and flames appeared under the motorcycle near the engine area. the contact was able to move safely onto the road shoulder. the fire department assisted to contain the fire and a fire report was filed. the motorcycle was taken to a tow yard. the…”
2015-07-20 · Service Brakes · 3,200 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2011 can-am spyder rt. while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed strong fuel fumes around the vehicle. in addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. the abs and the ebd default were displayed across the message board. the vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufact…”
2014-10-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 26,000 mi“spyder rt emits gasoline fumes from evaporative emission control system vent hose. fumes are evident when bike is shut down. in hot weather it is noticeable even when sitting still at a stop light or stuck in traffic. fumes often condense around the bottom lip of the vent hose when they hit the colder air. the condensate collects around the lip…”
2014-10-28 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel in tank boils. spyder constantly smells of leaking fuel while ridding. fuel drips, more often than not, when parked. both during and after a ride. the complete emissions system was replaced(under warranty) and all of the previously mentioned problems returned within a hundred miles or so. engine compartment heat is so high it caused premature…”
2014-10-28 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 1,100 mi“after riding the 2011 can am spyder rts/se5 and parking it in the garage, a strong fuel smell odor lingers for approximately 3 hours before it dissipates. while riding the 2011 can am spyder rts/se5 in city or highway traffic, an extreme heat can be felt from under the seat area. the heat is so bad that it has left first degree burns on the inn…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.