2008 Can-AM Spyder RS Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 11%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,225miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Can-AM Spyder RS, 11% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,225 miles. 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.
“Driving on I 75 northbound in troy, mi, the motorcycle overheated, even though it was only 78 degrees outside. It went into limp mode, causing rapid deceleration, nearly causing a rear end collision, which the driver behind just avoided hitting me. This has happened to my other can am spider also. The dealer claims this is a normal thing, and bombardier says it is suppose to happen in extreme heat. But 78 degrees is not extreme heat. Someone is going to die because of this defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10604634, filed 2014-06, 17,000 miles“Clutch failed causing motorcycle to stall in gear. Back wheel locked up and bike could not be pushed out of the road. When the clutch failed it ruined the motor and transmission beyond repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10460508, filed 2012-06, 7,500 miles“The contact owned 2008 Can-Am Spyder Rs motorcycle. The contact stated that she came to a complete stop after driving 5 MPH. While stopped, the vehicle caught on fire. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop; however an inspection was not conducted. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileages were 12,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10465230, filed 2012-07, 12,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10129604Oct 25, 2013Technical Service Tip (TST) addressing that on some SE5 engines a high pitched or whining noise may be heard under specific RPM only. After investigation the cause of this noise…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Can-AM Spyder RS
22 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsElectrical system
3 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 29, 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