Upon cruising down the highway about 60 MPH,my powered windshield support arm broke and the windshield fell back toward me in between the handle bars. Upon inspection,arm broke in half leaving the windshield unsupported. Our safety was put at risk because windshield was laying flat instead of upright for protection from winds and bugs or debris as designed. We had to prop it up with a coat to finish our ride. Doing research on Spyder owners forum,we discovered it is an ongoing problems with this support arm and we are not the lone incident. BRP should recall this for safety reasons. BRP sells a replacement unit for $800, totally unexceptable as this is a part that should not fail.no warning lights could predict this. Parts are available for inspection.
The worst 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system22
- Engine11
- Electrical7
- Body4
- Brakes4
- Lights4
- Driver assistance3
- Steering2
- Transmission1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT
Recalls 1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the fuel cap does not seal properly, it may leak fuel vapors. Fuel vapors in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire and personal injury.
- Remedy
- BRP will notify owners and send them a replacement fuel cap, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in mid-January 2013. Owners may contact BRP AT 1‑888‑638‑5397.
Recall number 12V582000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT 33
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Electric Throttle Actuator Replacement The Electric Throttle Actuator (ETA) is now available for spare part
- Revision of TST 140875 P0730 Active Fault Fault code can be triggered if the unit has the wrong rear...
- Missing or damaged scavenge pump components could lead to poor engine performance on 1330 engines.
- The low fuel level light indicator stay always ON after cluster replacement on MY12 RT.
- Electric parking brake not holding when applied.
- Technical service tip (TST): customer may complain of excessive heat felt in the engine compartment in...
- Brp: possible consequences at low speed, engine compartment temperature will rise and increase burn skin...
- Trailer module may fail.
- Roadster: for some motorcycles, informational procedure is provided regarding the ECM software update,...
- Brp: some motorcycles experience damage to throttle body actuator, leading to limp home mode or fault...
What 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Smell fuel vapors.
I have a 2012 can am spyder rt limited with extreme heat on my right foot and around the seat. Also have overwhelming gasoline fumes after parking the bike. Making it unusable and no fun and dangerous to ride. Purchased july 14 2017. 7,200 miles. Had contact several times with local dealer absolutely no help!
Dynamic power steering failure at 5,900 miles. No power steering at slow speeds.
On 7/11/2019 my 2012 canam rt se5 started throwing out vss fault code, I took it home and contacted my local canam service company. They asked me to bring it in which I did the next day. Enroute to the shop it began showing ABS limp home mode but was not in limp home mode. Once connected to the shop computer I was advised the bike was throwing out numerous codes and false codes. Then I wasxadvised this bike has had numerous electrical problems since 2013 ip to and including replacing the entire instrument cluster at 15000+ miles. Since purchasing thw bike it constantly shorts the horn out and I have to replace the fuse. In addition to the vss/ABS codes the shock compressor had started coming on and off.
My wife and I were riding to hawks nest state park in west virginia, my can-am spider caught on fire around the fuel cap area we were coming to a stop going about 10 miles an hour to 0. I felt heat on my left leg looked down and saw flames and told my wife to get off the bike and we got off and the bike, it burned for a few minutes before someone put the fire out with an extinguisher. We had fueled up about 35 miles prior to this stop. There are recalls on this motorcycle but not my specific VIN #- why? I see this is the exact same problem with other 2008 to 2012 can-am spyders with vapor leak or fuel line leak recalls. I have only owned this can-am for three months I am grateful we are not hurt but this could've been really really bad these are known for catching fire as I am learning and reading I am fortunate yes- please stop these bikes from being sold!! The road was hilly 2 lane country road. Sunshine 85 degrees. Ruined our day and bike!
While stopping after 25 miles. The rear brakes emitted a burning odor and failed. The rear caliper and rotor have been replaced twice and rear brake pads replaced 4 times since new with only 6500 total miles on vehicle. Rotors become warped and discolored from excessive heat occasionally glowing orange at night. Theses brakes have failed several times with factory parts and certified mechanic repairs. Taken to authorized dealer several times requesting to open a case with brp that is quickly ignored after several attempts to resolve. This vehicle is unsafe to ride and obviously has a factory defective braking system. Serious accidents or death is likely to result.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 can-am spyder rt. While the vehicle was at an intersection, the contact noticed smoke in front of the motorcycle near the engine. The contact got off the motorcycle and it caught on fire seconds later. A police report was not filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The motorcycle was totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,600.
Just purchased my spyder rt ......noticed a strong smell of fuel after a drive about 30 minutes. I opened my fuel cap and noticed that the fuel was way hotter than it should be. Also rear brakes are very noisy, and found out this is a common problem.
While riding my spyder the heat from the engine gets so intense that it causes the gas to boil and the engine lets off gas vapor. This vapor is released until the bike cools. I have worries that this will ignite so I must leave the spyder outside of my garage until the smell dissipates. .
Compare the 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT
Other model years
200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242026
Questions about the 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT
Is the 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT reliable?
Owners have filed 41 complaints about the 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT, 5.9 times a typical Spyder RT model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 22 complaints, typically around 753 miles. Next is engine (11).
How many recalls does the 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT have?
1 recall, covering fuel system, gasoline.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 12V582000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Can-Am Spyder RT have the most fuel system problems?
The Can-Am Spyder RT model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2013 (62 complaints), 2012 (22 complaints) and 2011 (15 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history