Model year

2016 Can-am Spyder RT

Motorcycle, gasoline, built in Canada. Owner complaints on file from Oct 18, 2016 to Mar 6, 2026.

Recall campaigns covering this model year130k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints94.5 times the median 2016 motorcycle
Severity index11.12016 motorcycles average 9.6
First 24 months2Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2016 Can-am Spyder RT peaked in 2018, with 3 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

0123201620172018320192020202120222023202420252026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

44% of complaints about the 2016 Can-am Spyder RT name steering

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Steering
4
Electrical system
2
Powertrain
2
Brakes
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

One recall campaign covers the 2016 Can-am Spyder RT

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2016 Can-am Spyder RT
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
22V-352May 18, 2022Front sprocket may be defective and prematurely wear, resulting in a loss of drive powerPowertrain30,389Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2016 Can-am Spyder RT

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

9 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Mar 6, 2026Failure Jan 1, 2026Lake Frederick, VASteering

    The power steering unit started to break up switching on and off making steering difficult.

    NHTSA complaint 11722608
  2. Filed Jun 9, 2025Failure May 22, 20256,000 milesSycamore, OHIgnition

    The contact owns a 2016 Can Am Spyder RT. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition failed to function as intended. The message DESS (Dynamically Enhanced Security System) was displayed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the programmed key chip had failed and needed to be replaced. The repair was pending. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance in covering the cost for the repair. The failure mileage was 6,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11665734
  3. Filed Sep 27, 2023Failure Jul 31, 2022Cumming, GAService brakesCrash1 injured1 killed

    Brake failure led to catastrophic collision

    NHTSA complaint 11546940
  4. Filed May 3, 2021Failure May 2, 20215,175 milesWoodbine, MDPower train

    2016 CAN-AM RT SPYDER: FRONT SPROCKET STRIPPED LEAVING ME WITH NO WAY TO ACCELERATE TO GET OUT OF WAY OF TRAFFIC THIS HAPPENED AT 1642 MILES (BRP REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY). AT 5175 (3 MAY 2021) FRONT SPROCKET AGAIN LEFT ME IN TRAFFIC AND STRANDED AGAIN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. BOTH TIMES I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND HAS HAPPENED AFTER SLOWING AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE. BOTH TIMES REQUIRED TOWING AND REPAIR A SERVICE CENTER.

    NHTSA complaint 11415023
  5. Filed Apr 11, 2018Failure Apr 12, 2017300 milesColumbus, OHSteering

    TAKATA RECALL IT HAS SO MUCH PLAY AND IT TURNS AT 65 MILES HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE 64 YOU CANNOT HOLD IT IN YOUR LANE [XXX] I HAD BOUGHT A CAN-AM SPYDER RT LIMITED SE6 2016 ON 4-12-2017 I HAD IT AROUND 15 DAYS AND FOUND OUT IT WAS UNSAFE TO RIDE I TAKING IT BACK TO THE SHOP ON 4-27-2017 THEY REPLACE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE STEERING I PICKED IT UP ON 5-11-2017. I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO CHECK IT OUT ON 5-17-2017 I HAD A OPERATION DOCTOR HAD ME IN BED UNTIL 9-17-2017 THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THE BIKE WASN'T FIX SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM ON 10-24-2017 THEY KEPT UNTIL 11-27-2017 THEY SAID THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT THEY ONLY DROVE IT 3 MILES I TOOK IT BACK ON THE SAME DAY 11-7-2017 THEY KEPT IT UNTIL 11-17-2017 NOW IT HAS SIX MILES ON IT. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A NEW BIKE I TOLD HER IT'S STILL NOT RIGHT I WAS GOING TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SHE SAID IF I DIDN'T CARE SHE WOULD COME OVER AND PICK IT UP AND TAKE CARE OF IT THAT WAS ON 11-28-2017 I GOT IT BACK ON 2-20-2018 I TOLD HER FROM THE DAY ONE THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH IT I WANTED ANOTHER BIKE SHE REFUSED SHE SAID WE'LL FIX THIS ONE IT WAS JUNK THE DAY I BOUGHT IT IS STILL JUNK ASK POWERSPORTS PH 614-759-9300 2450 PARK CRESCENT DR COLUMBUS OH 43232 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11084492
  6. Filed Jan 15, 2018Failure Apr 27, 2017300 milesColumbus, OHSteering

    01/15/2018 I SENT THIS LETTER TO YOU ONCE ON JANUARY 8TH 2018 YOU HAD RECEIVED IT AND GIVE ME A CALL TO GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION I RETURNED YOUR CALL LEFT A MESSAGE NOBODY CALLED ME BACK THIS IS A NUMBER THAT YOU CAN GET A HOLD OF ME 614 - 314 - 0725 THE BIKES BRAND NEW I'VE HAD PROBLEMS THE DAY I BOUGHT IT THEY STILL HAVE IT IN THE SHOP I NEED HELP. I HAD BOUGHT A CAN-AM SPYDER RT LIMITED SE6 2016 ON 4-12-2017 I HAD IT AROUND 12 DAYS AND FOUND OUT IT WAS UNSAFE TO RIDE I TAKING IT BACK TO THE SHOP THEY HAD IT FOR 14 DAYS THEY REPLACE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE STEERING I PICKED IT UP ON 5-11-2017. I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO CHECK IT OUT ON 5-17-2017 I HAD A OPERATION DOCTOR HAD ME IN BED UNTIL 9-17-2017 THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THE BIKE WASN'T FIX SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM ON 10 / 24 / 2017 THEY KEPT UNTIL 11 / 7 / 2017 THEY SAID THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT THEY ONLY DROVE IT 3 MILES I TOOK IT BACK ON THE SAME DAY 11 / 7 / 2017 THEY KEPT IT UNTIL 11 / 17 / 2017 NOW IT HAS SIX MILES ON IT. AND ALL THEY'VE HAD IT FOR 30 DAYS THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A NEW BIKE I TOLD HER IT'S STILL NOT RIGHT I WAS GOING TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SHE SAID IF I DIDN'T CARE SHE WOULD COME OVER AND PICK IT UP AND TAKE CARE OF IT THAT WAS ON 11 27 2017 AS WE TALK SHE STILL HAVE THE BIKE I TOLD HER FROM THE DAY ONE THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH IT I WANTED ANOTHER BIKE SHE REFUSED SHE SAID WE'LL FIX THIS ONE IT WAS JUNK TODAY I BOUGHT IT IS STILL JUNK AND SHE STILL HAS THE BIKE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS BAD ALSO TRUNK CABLE IS BROKEN AND THEY FOUND THE KNUCKLE ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED NOW THIS IS A NEW BIKE I TOLD HER TO REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER ONE SHE REFUSE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

    NHTSA complaint 11062802
  7. Filed Jan 10, 2018Failure Apr 12, 2017300 milesColumbus, OHSteering

    I NEED HELP. I HAD BOUGHT A CAN-AM LIMITED 2016 ON 4-12-2017 I HAD IT AROUND 12 DAYS AND FOUND OUT IT WAS UNSAFE TO RIDE I TAKING IT BACK TO THE SHOP THEY HAD IT FOR 14 DAYS THEY REPLACE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE STEERING I PICKED IT UP ON 5-11-2017. I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO CHECK IT OUT ON 5-17-2017 I HAD A OPERATION DOCTOR HAD ME IN BED UNTIL 9-17-2017 THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THE BIKE WASN'T FIX SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM ON 10 / 24 / 2017 THEY KEPT UNTIL 11 / 7 / 2017 THEY SAID THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT THEY ONLY DROVE IT 3 MILES I TOOK IT BACK ON THE SAME DAY 11 / 7 / 2017 THEY KEPT IT UNTIL 11 / 17 / 2017 NOW IT HAS SIX MILES ON IT. AND ALL THEY'VE HAD IT FOR 30 DAYS THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A NEW BIKE I TOLD HER IT'S STILL NOT RIGHT I WAS GOING TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SHE SAID IF I DIDN'T CARE SHE WOULD COME OVER AND PICK IT UP AND TAKE CARE OF IT THAT WAS ON 11 27 2017 AS WE TALK SHE STILL HAVE THE BIKE I TOLD HER FROM THE DAY ONE THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH IT I WANTED ANOTHER BIKE SHE REFUSED SHE SAID WE'LL FIX THIS ONE IT WAS JUNK TODAY I BOUGHT IT IS STILL JUNK AND SHE STILL HAS THE BIKE.*BF * *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11062062
  8. Filed May 17, 2017Failure May 12, 20172,180 milesDade City, FLElectrical system, Power train

    AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK IN GEAR WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE MOVED FROM THE ROAD CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE TO BOTH MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY WITH MINIMAL SHOULDER AND IN THE MIDDLE OF A BLIND 45 MPH CORNER. IF THE VEHICLE HAD A NEUTRAL RELEASE SWITCH, THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN MOVED ONTO THE SHOULDER REMOVING THE OBSTACLE FROM THE PATH OF ONCOMING MOTORISTS. SINCE THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE MOVED, I HAD TO STAND IN THE ROAD TO WARN MOTORISTS TO STOP. THE CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE IS YET TO BE DETERMINED BUT IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE PATH OF OTHER MOTORISTS.

    NHTSA complaint 10986164
  9. Filed Oct 18, 2016Failure Jul 30, 201610 milesSimpsonville, SCUnknown or other

    THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A VIBRATION IN THE HANDLE BARS STARTING AT 79 MPH THROUGH 82 MPH. IT THEN GOES AWAY. IT COMES BACK AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE IS GOING OVER 90 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DEALERS AND AS OF YET NO ONE CAN FIX IT.

    NHTSA complaint 10917156
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

17 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • TST 143615 Mar 2, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The front sprocket might be stuck on the mainshaft upon disassembly
  • TST 140875 Rev Mar 18, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Revision of TST 140875 P0730 Active Fault Fault code can be triggered if the unit has the wrong rear sprocket or a different wheel size. The cluster will stop displaying the gear indication and check engine light came on (limp home condition) and th…
  • TST 134170 Mar 26, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Engine Oil Level reading Issue Impossible to read the oil level on the dipstick.
  • TST 140875 Jan 23, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Spyder P0730 Active Fault - This fault code can be triggered if the unit has the wrong rear sprocket or a different wheel size. The cluster will stop displaying the gear indication and check engine light came on (limp home condition) and the gearbox won't s…
  • TST 140654 Dec 6, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Missing or damaged scavenge pump components could lead to poor engine performance on 1330 engines.
  • Bulletin 2019-11 Jun 30, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Front Sprocket Wear- Interim Solution As covered in the SAFETY CAMPAIGN BULLETIN 2019-10, The front sprocket may be defective and may be subject to premature wear.
  • Bulletin 2019-10 May 26, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Safety Campaign- Front Sprocket Wear- Potential Loss of Propulsion The front sprocket may be defective and may be subject to premature wear. Over time, the vehicle could lose propulsion. If the vehicle loses propulsion, there is an increased risk of a crash.
  • WCN61Y016 May 6, 2016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Relay terminals could be damaged at fuse boxes.
  • D2-8316 Aug 3, 2016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Sticking throttle.
  • A123653-3 Sep 3, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Product reference article.
  • 129289-1 Jun 4, 2016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Brake fluid reservoir locking tube.
  • Article Radio 10 Oct 22, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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.
  • D109338 Apr 12, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Trailer module may fail.
  • D-94530 Jul 14, 2015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Electric parking brake not holding when applied.
  • PRE-02-27-2012 Feb 27, 2012 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Centrifungal clutch vibration.
  • 2016-3 Jun 7, 2016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    POSTING ABOUT NEW BULLETIN 2016-3 -SOME THROTTLE GRIPS ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE TIGHTER MATERIALS TOLERANCES THAT MAY INCREASE RETURN TIME TO ORIGINAL POSITION
  • 115 Oct 27, 2011 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    STICKING THROTTLE ON 2016 RT AND F3S. THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO CLOSED POSITION. 1. MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH HOUSING MAY INTERFERE WITH THROTTLE LUBE. 2. THROLTTLE SECONDARY SPRING MAY BIND WITH BUSHING.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.