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Electrical systemPart report

2008 Can-AM Spyder RS Electrical system Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
8%of 37 total for the year
Median mileage
17,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Can-AM Spyder RS, 8% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was riding my 2005 canam spyder motorcycle to work and about 2 blocks away while I was stopped at a stoplight I heard a pop and saw a small amount of smoke come up from under the cowling. I immediately rushed to my work parking lot (because there were no trees or anything flammable around) and went into work to get some water to extinguish the small flames I saw. By the time I got back outside the bike was engulfed and melting. …”

NHTSA complaint #10430025, filed 2011-10, 17,500 miles

“I had ridden the can am spyder roadster for approximately 30 minutes before stopping at costco and filling it up. No overfill or gas spilled. I road approx. 2 miles home, parked, and went into the house for approx. 3 or 4 minutes. I returned to spyder started it & backed up approx. 10 feet, pulled forward, backed up again, started forward out of my driveway. When I turned & started forward there was a smell electrical wire burning. I saw smoke coming from the front of my seat & central plastic panel. Before I could react to that I had moved forward maybe 10 or 15 feet. …”

NHTSA complaint #10358300, filed 2010-09, 25,400 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Can-Am spyder roadster. The contact stated the motorcycle was included in an unknown recall regarding the steering, which called for the software cluster console to be replaced. The motorcycle received the repair. In addition, the contact stated that the power steering assist failed. The contact had to apply excessive force in order to steer the motorcycle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11030468, filed 2017-09, 10,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2012117%
2010225%
200838%

Other parts of the 2008 Can-AM Spyder RS

Steering
22 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Can-AM Spyder RS

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology