2008 Can-Am Spyder GS problems & reliability
31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Can-Am Spyder GS, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering → | 20 | 65% |
| Electrical System | 5 | 16% |
| Engine | 3 | 10% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 10% |
| Structure | 3 | 10% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 6% |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 6% |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 3% |
| Power Train | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 12 reported components →Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Among the 27 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 8,500 miles (middle 50% between 5,461 and 11,487 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 can-am spyder gs. While driving 55 mph, the steering seized. The contact pulled the vehicle over to gain control of the vehicle. The dps and check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the dps failed. The vehicle was…”
Steering · filed May 21, 2019
“2008 can-am spyder gs this bike is worthless and should be recalled back. My bike will not go out of limp mode ever again. Can't be fixed. Spent a lot of money and time trying to figure out issue at dealer. No technician that even know the year and any problem issues. Recall this bike or at least make it right!”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed Oct 18, 2018
“I purchased a 2008 can-am spyder gs in 2008. Vin [xxx] vehicle purchase date 03/06/2008 brp issued a recall on sept 7, 2010 for a dynamic power steering (dps) unit replacement https://can-am.brp.com/spyder/owners/safety/safety-recalls/dynamic-power-steering--dps--unit-replacement.html the recall was due to a faulty…”
Steering · filed Sep 24, 2017
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
20 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Can-Am Spyder GS. The 10 most recent:
Trailer module may fail.
D109338 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 12, 2014
Posting discussing the two recalls posted on transport canada and nhtsa concerning the fuel vapor canister vent hose to be replace or re-route and fuel cap replacement because the fuel cap may not fit onto the fuel tank…
POSTING 12-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 20, 2013
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.
Article Radio 10 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 22, 2013
Service bulletin informing dealers that a new procedure has been developed to improve the replacement of the tandem master cylinder (TMC) without the necessity of bleeding the whole brake system.
Bulletin 2013-9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 30, 2013
Technical service tip (tst) addressing the details of the recall fuel cap replacement, where the fuel cap may not seal properly onto the fuel tank filter neck. Fuel vapors in the presence of an ignition source could…
ARTICLE 01-17 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 17, 2013
Brp: on the can-am roadster, the fuel cap fails to seal properly, on fuel tank filler neck, causing fuel vapors and in presence of an ignition source, might result in a fire and needs replacing. Models 2008-2012 can-am…
RC-2010-0015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 17, 2013
Revision #1 of warranty bulletin 2009-4 about engine performance optimization, informing dealers that this bulletin has been superseded by safety campaign bulletin 2010-12.
Bulletin 2009-4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 21, 2012
Article informing dealers of Safety Campaign 2012-13 - Fuel Cap replacement. The fuel cap may not seal properly the fuel tank filler neck. Fuel vapors in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Article 2012-13 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 21, 2012
Article informing dealers that the bulletin 2009-4 (Engine performance optimization) has been superseded by safety Campaign bulletin 2012-12.
Article 2009-4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 21, 2012
Article discussing the safety campaign 2010-12 - Fuel Vapor Canister Vent hose inspection/replacement. In some circumstances, fuel vapors may exit the fuel vapor canister vent hose in the enclosed engine compartment…
Article 2010-12 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 21, 2012
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2008 Can-Am Spyder GS has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2008 Can-Am Spyder GS?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Among complaints with usable mileage, the median reported incident mileage was 8,500 miles. This does not predict when a particular vehicle will develop a problem.