2008 Can-Am Spyder GS Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Spyder GS years
- Not enough data 1st of 2 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Can-Am Spyder GS. That is the most of any Spyder GS model year in the database (2 years). The most reported problem area is steering (20 complaints, 65%), typically at around 8,500 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injury. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 31owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 Can-Am Spyder GS problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 20 | 65% | 8,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 16% | 5,500 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 10% | 10,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 10% | 4,050 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 10% | 8,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 6% | 3,411 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 6% | 15,600 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 3% | 29,767 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 3% | 5,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 3% | 4,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 3% | 4,658 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 3% | 4,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 Can-Am Spyder GS recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline
Problem: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Can-Am Spyder GS and model year 2010 Can-AM Spyder RS vehicles. Fuel vapors may exit the fuel vapor canister vent hose in the enclosed engine compartment.
Risk: Fuel vapors in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire and personal injury.
Fix: BRP will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel vapor canister vent hose and replace and re-route it, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 26, 2012. Owners may contact BRP AT 1-888-638-5397.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, there is a presence of an abnormal quantity of air in the hydraulic circuit of the front brake. Also some vehicles may have one or two brake fluid reservoir caps that are sealed and this could create a vacuum which could lead to adsorption of air into the brake circuits. The brake pedal may go almost to the floor when depressing.
Risk: A driver may be unable to stop the vehicle as expected increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Brp has notified each owner informing them of this problem and scheduling a pick-up time to retrieve the vehicle. Dealers will inspect and perform a bleeding of the brake system is needed. The brake fluid reservoir caps will be replaced and the brake system pressure will be validated. The recall began on november 21, 2007. Owners may contact brp at 1-888-864-2002.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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…
My vss,abs, and 4 other codes constantly flash. This machine loses power before i get to third gear. I was traveling on a busy city street during lunch hour traffic when out of no where i lose power and i get a check dps ,vss fault, hightemp, check engine and abs warnings. Almost rear ended before…
While driving my 2008 can am spyder on ct-2 west bound in connecticut at approximately 6:30pm in slow moving, stop & go traffic my wife (who was the passenger) noticed by her right food there were fire flames coming from the vehicle. Simultaneously i noticed white smoke coming from the front of the…
Other Can-Am Spyder GS years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Spyder GS | 14 | 2 |
| 2008 | 31 | 3 |
See all Can-Am Spyder GS problems by year, every Can-Am model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Can-Am models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Can-Am Spyder GS?
Owners most often report steering, electrical system, engine problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 20 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Can-Am Spyder GS?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 Can-Am Spyder GS a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Spyder GS model years, the 2008 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.