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Can-AM Spyder GSModel year report

2008 Can-AM Spyder GS Problems

Complaints
31filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
8,000miles, 29 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Can-AM Spyder GS (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2008 Can-AM Spyder GS. The part named most often is steering, with 20 complaints (65% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and fuel system (4). 29 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 8,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 20 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “Dynamic power steering (dps) unit failure on my 2008 can am spyder. Did not appear until the software update was installed as part of the manufacturer's recall when I took it in for the 12000 mile service just before the 2 year warranty expired. Up until then I had no symptoms. The dealer has ordered a replacement dps unit from brp.”

NHTSA complaint #10313660, filed 2010-02, 12,800 miles

Electrical system: “On multiple occasion due to the problems while traveling at highway speeds the vehicle lost power and I was nearly rear ended. As of 5/1/12 brp has failed to return my emails all repairs including towing has been paid out of pocket and the bike is under warranty until 2013.”

NHTSA complaint #10457437, filed 2012-05, 3,800 miles

Fuel system: “I ride a can am spyder which is a 3 wheeled motorcycle and on 8-8-10 it spontaneously caught on fire, thank goodness someone was able to get a fire ex. And put out the fire but none the less it melted a lot of parts. It is now at a dealer waiting for parts to come in the be replaced. I have read on several web sites that this has happened before, maybe a recall is in order. No one was hurt.”

NHTSA complaint #10354391, filed 2010-09, 5,500 miles

Engine: “My vss,ABS, and 4 other codes constantly flash. This machine loses power before I get to third gear. I was traveling on a busy city street during lunch hour traffic when out of no where I lose power and I get a check dps ,vss fault, hightemp, check engine and ABS warnings. Almost rear ended before swaying off the onto the shoulder. One day its running fine the next day every warning light on it comes on there are some real issues for a bike that has been well maintained and with such low miles . This purchase has changed my mind about purchasing a new one . …”

NHTSA complaint #10893331, filed 2016-08, 27,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 29 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 4,658 and 11,367 miles.

69%0–1021%10–2510%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (29 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 8,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2010112013201520172019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Can-AM Spyder GS → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 20 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 20 bulletins →

Other model years of the Can-AM Spyder GS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2009143,3922———Not enough data
2008318,0003——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable

All Can-AM Spyder GS model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Can-AM Spyder GS have?

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2008 Can-AM Spyder GS as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Can-AM Spyder GS is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 20 complaints (65% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.

Has the 2008 Can-AM Spyder GS been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Can-AM Spyder GS reported?

Among the 29 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 8,000 miles and the middle half falls between 4,658 and 11,367 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.