2012 Can-AM Spyder RS Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 7,800miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Can-AM Spyder RS (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2012 Can-AM Spyder RS. The part named most often is electrical system, with 1 complaints (17% of the total), followed by engine (1) and engine cooling (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 7,800 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Electrical system1 17%
- Engine1 17%
- Engine cooling1 17%
- Exterior lighting1 17%
- Fuel system1 17%
- Steering1 17%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Have a problem with my spyder rt motorcycle headlights not working. I bought the mc 2/2012. Have had the headlight relay replaced 4 times since 7/23/13. In april 2015, I was riding in the west virginia mountains at night and my head lights went out. This is very dangerous. The spyder dealer called the home office and they said that they could not fix it because it was not under warranty. It was under warranty when I first had the problem. I called the home office today and they told me the same thing. After arguing with technician he hung up on me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10863498, filed 2016-05, 6,867 milesEngine: “The contact owns a 2012 Can-Am spider rs. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the limp home mode light illuminated. The vehicle then decelerated independently and failed to accelerate more than 10 MPH. The failure had recurred two times previously. A dealer was notified and advised the contact to bring the vehicle in to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 374. Updated 9/4/13”
NHTSA complaint #10508540, filed 2013-04, 374 milesEngine cooling: “I am filing a complaint regarding the ongoing heat problem with my 2012 rs-se5 and the lack of urgency with brp in assisting and fixing my motorcycle. I have provided written communication to brp since january of this year regarding the excessive heat problem since the purchase of this spyder in may of 2013 as a new vehicle from a dealer in springfield, missouri. I was finally able to obtain a case number from the brp rep and I have delivered the bike to a dealer in cuba, missouri and I still am waiting for any contact from brp regarding the written request sent to their representative. …”
NHTSA complaint #10628343, filed 2014-08, 9,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,867 and 9,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 12V582000Dec 12, 2012Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and capCovers: Can-AM Spyder RS 2009–2012, Spyder RT 2010–2012, Spyder GS 2008–2009
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.
Recall details for the 2012 Can-AM Spyder RS → · 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. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10200278Jan 5, 2016Engine cooling. Air scoop retrofit kits.
- 10058213Jun 17, 2015Engine. Brp: possible consequences at low speed, engine compartment temperature will rise and increase burn skin or vehicle fire during ambient hot conditions. Model 2013 roadster.
- 10186274Apr 12, 2014Electrical system. Trailer module may fail.
- 10055106Jan 23, 2014Electrical system. Brp: on some motorcycles, need to have the front fuse box covers replaced with an improved cover in production and also, update ecm software (p1614, hi temp lamps, limp home mode).
- 10107192Dec 20, 2013Fuel system, Other or unknown. Posting discussing the two recalls posted on transport canada and nhtsa concerning the fuel vapor canister vent hose to be replace or re-route and fuel cap replacement because the fuel cap may not…
- 10129604Oct 25, 2013Engine. Technical 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 is from a thrust…
- 10191376Oct 22, 2013Equipment. If a customer wants to change the radio pre-set channel number and is unable to do so, here is the reason this is happening.
- 10129608Oct 15, 2013Equipment. Technical service Tip (TST) informing the community that it has come to BRP's attention that water pump mechanical seal failures have risen in recent weeks. In the event that dealers have a Spyder…
- 10124113Aug 30, 2013Brakes. Service bulletin informing dealers that a new procedure has been developed to improve the replacement of the tandem master cylinder (TMC) without the necessity of bleeding the whole brake system.
- 10124112Aug 26, 2013Equipment. Posting informing the community that after investigation, the conclusion is that some 2012 units were produced with water pumps mechanical seals installed slightly crocked in the clutch cover. This…
Other model years of the Can-AM Spyder RS
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 6 | 7,800 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 5 | 6,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 8 | 5,075 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 13 | 2,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 37 | 9,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
All Can-AM Spyder RS model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Can-AM Spyder RS have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2012 Can-AM Spyder RS as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Can-AM Spyder RS is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 1 complaints (17% of the total), followed by engine with 1.
Has the 2012 Can-AM Spyder RS been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Can-AM Spyder RS reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 7,800 miles and the middle half falls between 6,867 and 9,000 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 29, 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.