AI Damage2013 CAN-AM Spyder RS: common problems
Owners of the 2013 CAN-AM Spyder RS filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and fuel/propulsion system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 75% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 50% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 25% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 25% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 25% of all complaints
- Engine: 3 complaints (75% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Total and complete engine and transmission failure. I was doing 40 mph up a mountain road and the entire machine shutdown. It bucked me slightly from the seat. No power. No transmission. No warning. Complete shutdown of machine.
Secondly, the motorcycle is constantly going into 'limp mode' while riding. (vss fault). The motorcycle decreases in speed approximately to a maximum 70 mph. Lastly, the 'cruise control' will not set. These problems are very embarrassing to say the least and it poses a serious safety issue.
The vehicle emits a very strong gas smell for several hours after a drive and then being parked in the garage. This is very concerning as the vapors seem suffient to be a safety concern. Because of this I leave the garage door open to protect my family from an explosion.
After parking the bike there is a strong smell of gasoline. This occurs on even very short rides.
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 15,521 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Spyder RS has 9 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 4, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- 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 2013 CAN-AM Spyder RS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, fuel/propulsion system, electrical system. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (50%), loss of power / limp mode (25%), transmission slipping (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 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 2013 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 2013 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.