The 2011 Can-Am Spyder Rt has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 34,078 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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 TRAIN11V0810002011-02-07378 affected
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
11
3fires3injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
10
2fires2injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
5
1injuries
POWER TRAIN
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
2fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
STRUCTURE:BODY
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1
1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
1
1fires
Total complaints42
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2011 Can-Am Spyder Rt as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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