AI Damage2013 CAN-AM Spyder ST: common problems
Owners of the 2013 CAN-AM Spyder ST filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 21
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 33% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 19% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 10% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 7 complaints (33% of all).
- Engine: 6 complaints (29% of all).
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (19% of all).
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (14% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (10% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 21 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
Consumer writes in regards to motorcycle brake light remains on after engine is off, cruise control will not set and motorcycle goes into "limp mode"(vss fault). The consumer stated the motorcycle would go into limp mode while riding.
After riding the spyder st, I started to notice excessive heat coming from the left side panel and heat on my right ankle. The panel is very hot to the touch and it was necessary for me to pull over and allow my spyder to cool off before I could ride it home.
This makes for a dangerous situation in that it directs much of your mind and driving attention toward attempts to relieve the problem for your legs, plus there have been issues on other model canam vehicles where the machine eventually caught fire.
I'm most concerned the hot gas tank, hot gasoline fuel, and heated fuel vapor fumes are unsafe or dangerous and could cause an explosion, fire, and injuries to life and property. I have also reported this concern complaint to brp / can-am and requested resolution but have not yet heard back from them.
Mile 1067 complained about excessive heat coming from right floorboard area and gas fumes to my dealer, told it's normal. Mile 4582 2nd service dealer installed heat shield at master cylinder per brp for heat issues, still excessive heat, fumes and now boiling gas in tank. Dealer consider all normal operation.
-when temperature under the parked vehicle reaches a threshold , and the vehicle is later driven off, the display screen changes to orange check engine. This distracts the rider and forces the eyes off the road, a very dangerous situation. -brp, the mfg, knows this defect and will noy fix it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 can-am spyder st motorcycle. The contact stated that the adjustable windshield distorted his vision. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the technician stated that the windshield was performing as designed. The manufacturer was notified.
I send photos of my burns to brp they send me new panels but the heat issues have not, I feel the motorcycle is unsafe and my wife ask me tot to ride with the boys or her, I do ride the bike but always afraid that it could blow or a fire can break at anytime please help.
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 8,077 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Spyder ST has 6 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 21, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 CAN-AM Spyder ST?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, engine, service brakes. Total complaints: 21. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (38%), unintended acceleration (10%), warning lights, check engine (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 CAN-AM Spyder ST?
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 ST 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.