According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) is issuing a recall on the 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT with the SM5 manual transmission option.
The safety notice posted on the NHTSA website states that the manual transmission Can-Am Spyder RT may inadvertently switch into reverse while downshifting.
Normally, a Can-Am Spyder RT can switch to reverse by pressing a button on the left handlebar with the clutch pulled in and the transmission in first gear.
According to BRP, a defective reverse actuator cable may cause the reverse mode to engage while downshifting without the button being pressed. If this happens while the vehicle is moving forward, the rear wheel may lock and the engine could stall. If the problem occurred while the Spyder isn’t moving, it may begin to move backwards.
“A vehicle stall without warning or an unexpected movement in reverse may increase the risk of a crash possibly resulting in injury or death,” the recall notice warns owners of affected models.
The problem was identified on January 20, during regular testing on the assembly line. BRP dealers will test the reverse actuators on 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT models and replace defective units with a new reverse actuator assembly. As expected, this will be conducted free of charge for the consumer.
The recall campaign affects 160 units of the 2011 Can Am Spyder RT with the SM5 manual transmission. Customers should know the Spyder RS and Spyder RT models with the SE5 automatic transmission are not included in the recall.
The safety notice posted on the NHTSA website states that the manual transmission Can-Am Spyder RT may inadvertently switch into reverse while downshifting.
Normally, a Can-Am Spyder RT can switch to reverse by pressing a button on the left handlebar with the clutch pulled in and the transmission in first gear.
According to BRP, a defective reverse actuator cable may cause the reverse mode to engage while downshifting without the button being pressed. If this happens while the vehicle is moving forward, the rear wheel may lock and the engine could stall. If the problem occurred while the Spyder isn’t moving, it may begin to move backwards.
“A vehicle stall without warning or an unexpected movement in reverse may increase the risk of a crash possibly resulting in injury or death,” the recall notice warns owners of affected models.
The problem was identified on January 20, during regular testing on the assembly line. BRP dealers will test the reverse actuators on 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT models and replace defective units with a new reverse actuator assembly. As expected, this will be conducted free of charge for the consumer.
The recall campaign affects 160 units of the 2011 Can Am Spyder RT with the SM5 manual transmission. Customers should know the Spyder RS and Spyder RT models with the SE5 automatic transmission are not included in the recall.