2009 Can-Am SPYDER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
15 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 2 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Steering behavior
2
100.0%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Steering
2
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Steering
2
Steering: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
2019
2
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2019
2
2019: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
I WAS RIDING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES WHEN I FELT MY STEERING STICK PULLING THE BIKE TO THE RIGHT, THEN I HAD TO FORCEFULLY PUSH THE HANDLEBARS BACK LEFT TO GET IT TO BREAK FREE. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE HANDLEBARS FOR OBSTRUCTION BUT THERE WERE NONE. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED BACK TOWARD HOME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON BUT THE LONGER I WAS ON THE BIKE THE WORSE IT GOT UNTIL IT SCARED ME TO THE POINT I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE. AFTER RETURNING I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMED LIKE THE ISSUE I HAD WAS THE SAME AS UNITS THAT HAD BEEN RE…
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO MY FIRST COMPLAINT TRACKING # 11291321 WHERE I NOTED MY STEERING LOCKING UP AND PULLING ME VERY ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT. I HAD MY BIKE DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC AND HE DEACTIVATED THE FAULTY DPS SYSTEM AND THE BIKE NO LONGER HAD THE STEERING ISSUE. I CONTACTED BRP DIRECTLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE DECLINED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE ALTHOUGH THIS WAS THE FAULTY PART THAT WAS RECALLED LAST YEAR. THE BIKE ONLY HAS 12000+ MILES ON IT AND NO MATTER THE AGE SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH A MAJOR MALFUNCTION WITH SUCH LITTLE MILES.
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V162000 · Steering
Reported: 2009-05-19 (May 19, 2009)
BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL IS RECALLING 9,932 MY 2008-2010 CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER GS MOTORCYCLES. A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE OPERATOR OF AN INVOLVED VEHICLE MAY NEED TO EXERT A FORCE GREATER THAN EXPECTED TO INITIATE THE TURNING OF THE STEERING HANDLEBAR OFF CENTER IN ORDER TO CORRECT VEHICLE DRIFT FROM A STRAIGHT LINE PATH. THIS HIGHER THAN EXPECTED STEERING CONTROL INPUT TORQUE MAY CAUSE A STEERING ANGLE OVERSHOOT AND AN UNEXPECTED DEVIATION OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE OPERATOR'S INTENDED PATH.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, IT CAN LEAD TO A TEMPORARY OUT OF LANE EXCURSION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH WITH OTHER TRAFFIC AND OR A DRIVE OFF THE ROAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE/REPAIR THE APPROPRIATE COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL AT 1-866-767-0707.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
50.0%Usable mileage1 / 2 records
100.0%Valid incident date2 / 2 records
100.0%Valid filing date2 / 2 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates2 / 2 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2008
2009
2010
2013
Engine
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
1453.8%ODI 10541929 · 800 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 BEIN…
After driving 30 miles with ambient temps near 70 degrees F, I was home stopped the vehicle, smelled gas and check under the bike. Raw fuel was running from the evap canister vent hose and dripping on the concrete. The temps under the poly housings are so high that fuel boils and over takes the canister causing and unsafe a possible catastrophic situation of fuel pooling u see the vehicle. The issue has been reported the BRP
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
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!
I WAS RIDING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES WHEN I FELT MY STEERING STICK PULLING THE BIKE TO THE RIGHT, THEN I HAD TO FORCEFULLY PUSH THE HANDLEBARS BACK LEFT TO GET IT TO BREAK FREE. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE HANDLEBARS FOR OBSTRUCTION BUT THERE WERE NONE. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED BACK TOWARD HOME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON BUT THE LONGER I WAS ON THE BIKE THE WORSE IT GOT UNTIL IT SCARED ME TO THE POINT I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE. AFTER RETURNING I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMED LIKE THE ISSUE I HAD WAS THE SAME AS UNITS THAT HAD BEEN RE…
The motorcycle has lost power steering. There was a recall on some of these machines, but mine was not recalled. The power steering failure was intermittent for a while and now it has failed completed. The dealer wants almost $2000 for this repair. The machine can be driven but without power steering it is dangerous. The machine only has 5700 miles on it. A $5000 machine is not worth putting $2000 into it for power steering that should never fail.
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.
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.
MY CAN AM SPYDER RTS-SM5 2013 CAUGHT FIRE TODAY AS I WAS TRAVELING ON A FREEWAY IN CALIFORNIA. I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE NEAR MY KNEE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. WITHIN 30-60 SECONDS THE ENTIRE ROADSTER WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR
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. OBVIOUS…
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.
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.
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Steering
Too few reports for a range
15 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 11292029 · 15 mi
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO MY FIRST COMPLAINT TRACKING # 11291321 WHERE I NOTED MY STEERING LOCKING UP AND PULLING ME VERY ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT. I HAD MY BIKE DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC AND HE DEACTIVATED THE FAULTY DPS SYSTEM AND THE BIKE NO LONGER HAD THE STEERING ISSUE. I CONTACTED BRP DIRECTLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE DECLINED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE ALTHOUGH THIS WAS THE FAULTY PART THAT WAS RECALLED LAST YEAR. THE BIKE ONLY HAS 12000+ MILES ON IT AND NO MATTER THE AGE SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH A MAJOR MALFUNCTION WITH SUCH LITTLE MILES.
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2010: 0 complaints · 2013: 20 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2010
0
0
0
2013
10
19
20
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2010
2
0
0
2013
26
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Steering
Steering
—
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.
Steering assistance concerns
1 mentions · 50.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 15 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 11292029 · 15 mi
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO MY FIRST COMPLAINT TRACKING # 11291321 WHERE I NOTED MY STEERING LOCKING UP AND PULLING ME VERY ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT. I HAD MY BIKE DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC AND HE DEACTIVATED THE FAULTY DPS SYSTEM AND THE BIKE NO LONGER HAD THE STEERING ISSUE. I CONTACTED BRP DIRECTLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE DECLINED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE ALTHOUGH THIS WAS THE FAULTY PART THAT WAS RECALLED LAST YEAR. THE BIKE ONLY HAS 12000+ MILES ON IT AND NO MATTER THE AGE SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH A MAJOR MALFUNCTION WITH SUCH LITTLE MILES.