AI Damage2012 CAN-AM Spyder RS: common problems
Owners of the 2012 CAN-AM Spyder RS filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 17% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 17% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 17% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 17% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
5 miles into a test ride the motorcycle developed a shaking in the front end from side to side that was felt in the handle bars. Before motorcycle could be stopped front wheels turned on their own causing the motorcycle to go left of center into on coming traffic.
My 2012 spyder caught fire while riding it in west pembroke pines florida on a beautiful sunday afternoon at a traffic light I looked down to find flames coming up through the glove compartment cover and through the side panels thank god I was stopped and some people in cars helped me put it out now brp says it's not…
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.
Thankfully I noticed their disregard when reading about the investigations regarding the fire hazard. I have experience with the brp products because I owned a 2008 gs-se5 for three years that never had the heat issues that I am experiencing with the 2012.
While driving at 45 to 50 mph with the display showing that the bike was in 4th gear, the transmission went into a neutral state where I could not shift up or down, could only drift to the side of the road. This happened on a 2 lane road, during a sand storm and my life and others on the road could have been at stake.
Tl* 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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Spyder RS has 9 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 6, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2012 CAN-AM Spyder RS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (33%), headlights and tail lights (17%), vibration (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 CAN-AM Spyder RS?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2012 CAN-AM Spyder RS from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2012 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.