About Can-Am
Can-Am VINs cover the Maverick / Defender / Commander side-by-sides, Outlander and Renegade ATVs, and the Spyder and Ryker three-wheelers — all built by BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products). CheckMyVIN decodes make, model year, and assembly plant from NHTSA VPIC and shows any open NHTSA recall.
Founded 1972 (Bombardier motorcycle brand; relaunched 2006 by BRP) and headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec, Canada (BRP), Can-Am vehicles register their VIN data with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When you enter a Can-Am VIN above, CheckMyVIN queries the NHTSA VPIC database directly — pulling the same federally certified specs that the manufacturer reported when the vehicle was sold.
Can-Am uses several WMI codes (3JB, 2BX) depending on plant and model line — see the full Can-Am VIN Decoder for the complete table and a per-position walkthrough.
Where to find your Can-Am VIN
- Frame on side-by-side / ATVOn Maverick / Defender / Commander, the 17-character VIN is stamped on the frame — commonly on a lower frame rail in the rear wheel-well area or under the cargo bed. Outlander and Renegade ATVs carry it on the frame near the footwell / steering stem. The exact spot varies by model — check the operator's guide.
- Frame at the front on Spyder / RykerCan-Am three-wheelers have the VIN on the frame at the front of the vehicle — visible near the front cargo area / steering column on Spyder, and on the frame under the body panels on Ryker. It also appears on the state registration sticker area.
- Title and registrationThe 17-character VIN is the legal identifier. Verify the VIN on the unit matches the title and registration before purchase — many off-road Can-Ams are sold without on-road titles, so the frame stamp and ownership paperwork are your cross-check.
What CheckMyVIN shows for Can-Am
Every Can-Am report includes the decoded specifications (engine, drive type, transmission, plant, body class), every open recall NHTSA has on file for the year/model/make combination, an AI-written plain-English summary, and the maintenance specs CheckMyVIN can confidently match by engine code. Tire sizes vary by trim and are always marked "Varies by trim — check door-jamb label" rather than guessed.
New to VIN reading? Start with what each of the 17 characters means, check a suspicious number with the check digit calculator, or look up a model year in the year code table.
Common Can-Am issues to check before buying
Brand-specific known issues — useful as a pre-purchase inspection checklist. CheckMyVIN does not flag these per VIN; verify against service history.
Ryker wheel-nut cracking recall
2019–2020 Can-Am Ryker (NHTSA 19V683000)
Wheel nuts on early Rykers could crack and let a wheel loosen while riding. BRP dealers replace the nuts free of charge regardless of current owner. On any used 2019–2020 Ryker, run the VIN through the recall check and confirm the campaign shows closed; also check wheel-nut torque as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Ryker high-pressure fuel-pump failure recall
2019–2023 Can-Am Ryker (NHTSA 23V855000)
The fuel-pump impeller can swell and seize the pump, stalling the engine mid-ride. Dealers inspect and replace the pump at no charge (BRP bulletin 2023-10, owner letters February 2024). Ask for dealer paperwork showing the inspection was done — a stall-while-riding history on a test ride is a red flag.
Maverick X3 CVT belt wear and clutch heat
2017+ Maverick X3 Turbo models
Like most turbocharged CVT side-by-sides, X3 drive belts are a consumable — hard dune or towing use can eat a belt in well under 2,000 miles. Verify recent belt service and look for belt dust in the CVT housing and heat discoloration on the clutch sheaves. A spare belt included in the sale is a green flag, not a warning sign.
Early Maverick X3 suspension / radius-rod bending
2017–2018 Maverick X3, owner-reported
Early X3 owners widely reported bent rear radius rods and suspension components after hard landings; BRP revised parts over the years and heavy-duty aftermarket rods are one of the most common X3 upgrades. On a used X3, sight down the radius rods and check for mismatched or aftermarket parts, and ask about jump use.
Outlander power-steering (DPS) faults
Older Outlander / Renegade ATVs with DPS, owner-reported
Owner forums report intermittent loss of electric power-steering assist on some higher-mileage Outlander and Renegade ATVs, usually preceded by a DPS fault code. Test at parking-lot speed: assist should be strong and consistent. A dealer can read BRP fault history from the ECU during a pre-purchase inspection.
Can-Am buyer's notes
Can-Am off-road values are condition- and hours-driven — ask to see the hour meter and service records, not just the odometer. Recall coverage is split by jurisdiction: NHTSA covers the on-road Spyder and Ryker (both have active campaigns worth verifying), while many Maverick / Defender / Outlander recalls run through the CPSC — check both, and have any BRP dealer run the VIN for open campaigns before you pay. On Maverick X3s, ask specifically about tunes and turbo modifications; a tuned unit may have a voided BRP warranty. Verify the frame-stamped VIN matches the title — many off-road units are sold on bill-of-sale only in some states, which complicates later titling. Spyder / Ryker licensing rules for three-wheelers vary by state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Can-Am the same as BRP / Bombardier?
Yes — Can-Am is a brand of BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec. VPIC decodes Can-Am VINs with Make = CAN-AM, but the manufacturer of record is BRP (2BX WMI) or BRP Mexico (3JB WMI).
How do I decode a Can-Am Maverick or Defender VIN?
Enter the 17-character VIN above. WMI 3JB identifies BRP's off-road lineup, digit 10 is the model year, and NHTSA VPIC supplies make, year, and plant. Model and engine detail is often thinner than for cars — typical for powersports filings.
Where is the VIN on a Can-Am side-by-side?
Stamped on the frame — usually a lower frame rail near the rear wheel well or under the cargo bed on Maverick / Defender / Commander. ATVs carry it on the frame near the footwell or steering stem.
Does this work for the Spyder and Ryker three-wheelers?
Yes — Spyder and Ryker are registered with NHTSA as motorcycles (three-wheeled) and decode normally. Spyder VINs start with 2BX (Valcourt, Quebec); Ryker VINs start with 3JB (BRP Mexico).
Are Ski-Doo snowmobiles or Sea-Doo watercraft supported?
No — Ski-Doo and Sea-Doo are sibling BRP brands, but snowmobiles and personal watercraft are not in NHTSA VPIC (watercraft use a 12-character hull identification number, not a VIN). Out of scope for this tool.
How do I check Can-Am recalls?
CheckMyVIN queries the NHTSA recall API, which covers on-road Can-Ams (Spyder / Ryker — e.g. the Ryker wheel-nut and fuel-pump campaigns). Many off-road Can-Am recalls are administered through the CPSC instead, so also check cpsc.gov and ask a BRP dealer to run the VIN.
What does the "off-road vehicle warning" in my decode mean?
NHTSA flags VINs of vehicles not certified for on-road use (ErrorCode 10). The decode is still valid — make, model year, and plant return normally — it just confirms the unit is an off-highway vehicle, not a road-legal one.