2013 Can-Am Spyder RT Safety Recall - Elevated Temperature in Engine Compartment

[jetmech]

Hi everyone,

We'd like to bring to your attention a voluntary safety recall on 2013 Can-Am Spyder Roadster RT vehicles meant to address a risk of skin burn or vehicle fire.

Some of you might have already seen the announcement for the safety recall on the Transport Canada website; we're expecting that it should be posted on the NHTSA site shortly as well. [UPDATE: NHTSA has now posted the recall as well.] Owners of affected units will also be mailed a letter to this effect.

If you have any questions, please post them in this thread and we'll address them as best we can. Thank you all for your input, patience, support and cooperation in helping us identify and address this issue.

Does this recall effect ALL RT models?

 

[MRH]

Does this recall effect ALL RT models?

All 2013 RT models.

 

[mastertek2000]

Your Latitude is too high for your Attitude. You need to live further south where the temps are higher to get the gas smell and heat. Consider your self lucky. Ohio Is pretty much north of the real heat belt.

Jack

not so true jack i live in mas and get heat and fuel smell all the time if it above 80F

 

[DrewNJ]

Pretty sure it gets hot in OH during the summer.....lol.

 

[jaherbst]

THAT's your problem; Jack... You just live where it's too warm... :shocked:
Come try out New York in January and February; I guarantee that you won't feel excessively warm...
If you'd like; I'd even be happy to let you stay at my house, and I'll come take care of yours... :thumbup:

No deal Bob, but anytime you get a craving for Cactus, Warm weather and Cold Beer you can always stay with us!

Jack

 

[MRH]

THAT's your problem; Jack... You just live where it's too warm... :shocked:
Come try out New York in January and February; I guarantee that you won't feel excessively warm...
If you'd like; I'd even be happy to let you stay at my house, and I'll come take care of yours... :thumbup:

I wonder if that's what happened here in the first place. The tests may have simply been done in colder weather, so nobody caught the issue and since the engine that was intended for that frame had more power nobody figured that the older engine would actually create more heat?

The only thing I know is that I run a business and no matter what I do something I didn't even see as a potential problem jumps up and bites me in the ass.

 

[robmorg]

:agree: MRH, I think there is a good probability that your hypothesis concerning the extent of the problem with the 2013 RT is correct. Also, I've been watching posts on this topic for the past 16 months - as long as I've been on this forum. I have noticed that there is definitely a correlation between the severity of the heat complaint (and the related consequences), and how far south the poster is located (in North America). I believe that, with some exceptions, location probably has more to do than anything else about why some 2013 RT's seem to manifest the problem more than others.

__________________

yes it appears everyone else with heat issues other that 2013 RT are screwed.

I think it's probably way to early to assume that. The NHTSA investigation is not yet complete. I take this "interim news" simply to mean that since the 2013 RT has the worst problem, it gets some initial attention. After the instigation is over and the paperwork complete, I expect there will be other recalls - including possibly another for the 2013 RT.

 

[Roadster Renovations]

As of 3 days ago

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/730/2.../2013-Model-Year-Can-Am-Spyder-RT-Recall.aspx

I found this. It is dated 2/26/15. Also, one member of our group says hers has been done and here is the picture.

I'm thinking maybe they used hers for the prototype? From the article, this will not help much at idle or low speed above 85 degrees unless they have a fan pushing/pulling air into those vents. i know my '14 RT blows air out the front with fans to cool it down. Might end up doing that.

Also, several members have been told by the dealer that the upgrades have already been done. If one is available, I would like to get a parts list to them to give them some ammo with their dealers.

As it stands, I would do at least exactly what the article and BRP says about prolonged idling and cool down before going into an enclosed area. Makes a lot of sense to me...

 

[RBS66]

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/730/2.../2013-Model-Year-Can-Am-Spyder-RT-Recall.aspx

I found this. It is dated 2/26/15. Also, one member of our group says hers has been done and here is the picture.

I'm thinking maybe they used hers for the prototype? From the article, this will not help much at idle or low speed above 85 degrees unless they have a fan pushing/pulling air into those vents. i know my '14 RT blows air out the front with fans to cool it down. Might end up doing that.

Also, several members have been told by the dealer that the upgrades have already been done. If one is available, I would like to get a parts list to them to give them some ammo with their dealers.

As it stands, I would do at least exactly what the article and BRP says about prolonged idling and cool down before going into an enclosed area. Makes a lot of sense to me...

I just read the article you posted. I'm amazed there are so few units sold in 2013. Wow only
5165. You would think BRP would just do a buy back or return for a 2014.


(BRP estimates that 100% of the 5165 units included in the recall are affected by the issue.)

 

[robmorg]

Gee, I sure hope this interim recall for the 2013's involves more than just adding two side air scoops. Also I'd like to see a wider picture of that to see how it looks on the bike. :sour:

 

[mastertek2000]

that looks like a rs or st side photo the RT does not have quick release pins for the oil side panel

 

[Bob Denman]

If one assumes a buy-back, with an average price of $28,000; that's over 144 million dollars! :shocked:

 

[ARtraveler]

I wonder if that's what happened here in the first place. The tests may have simply been done in colder weather, so nobody caught the issue and since the engine that was intended for that frame had more power nobody figured that the older engine would actually create more heat?

The only thing I know is that I run a business and no matter what I do something I didn't even see as a potential problem jumps up and bites me in the ass.

I believe that the early test riders said they were test ridden in Canada. Not a great place to find heat issues.

 

[DJFaninTN]

If one assumes a buy-back, with an average price of $28,000; that's over 144 million dollars! :shocked:

so what if they were willing to give you .... let's say $5k plus your bike for a 14. Would that work?? Seems to me that would cost them a lot less plus every owner should expect some deprecation.

 

[jaherbst]

that looks like a rs or st side photo the RT does not have quick release pins for the oil side panel

Thats what it looks like to me also. Probably the new scoops that were developed 1-2 years ago for the rs and rt. Good catch.

Jack

 

[cuznjohn]

lets all sing

 

[RBS66]

If one assumes a buy-back, with an average price of $28,000; that's over 144 million dollars! :shocked:

SERIOUSLY

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

that looks like a rs or st side photo the RT does not have quick release pins for the oil side panel

Unless that's part of the new side panel. That's what it looks like to me.

 

[NautiBrit]

A friend of mine was part of a group recruited by BRP a couple of years ago to test ride Spyders on a race track just south of Phoenix in the summer heat. He didn't report any heat issues with bike, but got bored very quickly going round and round in circles. He could have been test riding a 2014 prototype, but I would guess that running the Spyder in hot conditions is part of the test procedure. They do, after all, make other vehicles that run winter and summer not just either/or.

 

[Roadster Renovations]

Gee, I sure hope this interim recall for the 2013's involves more than just adding two side air scoops. Also I'd like to see a wider picture of that to see how it looks on the bike. :sour:

I'll ask her for some more pix and an exact on the bike!
She says the bike is a '13 STS...