Since Can-Am introduced the Defenders as its first line of true utility vehicles years ago, they’ve become known as some of the best UTVs for the money in the industry.
While some models don’t come flush with add-ons, many owners turn to the list of thirteen best Can-Am Defender accessories to transform these vehicles into the toughest and best-looking UTVs out there.
But a review of the Can Am Defender line shows that while these models are some of the highest quality you can find, they also have a number of drawbacks.
Many of these drawbacks relate to nine common Can-Am Defender problems known to occur in these models.
The nine most common problems you may run into with your Can Am Defender are:
- Power Steering Problems
- Steering Rack Problems
- Tie Rods Bending
- Belt Problems
- Squeaky Brakes
- Stock Battery Dies Quickly
- Cab Leaks
- Shifting Trouble
- Overheating
This guide will detail each issue, including likely causes and proven fixes.
Can-Am Defender Power Steering Problems
Can-Am Defender steering problems are one of the main sources of frustration with these utility vehicles.
Many owners will randomly experience their Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) suddenly going out, accompanied by the DPS alarm coming on.
When the DPS alarm signals, drivers generally tend to experience the steering gradually getting more difficult until they stop the vehicle.
Causes & Fixes
There can be a number of causes of this. Following the steps below should help you to get to the bottom of it.
- Check the F2 fuse box under the hood to ensure it is functional and not damaged or disconnected.
- Use a voltmeter to check the voltage of the Dynamic Power Steering to ensure it’s getting at least 12.6 volts when the engine is at idle and at least 14.6 volts at around 4,000 RPMs.
- Check that the ground wire is connected to the DPS properly.
- Turn on the ignition and try turning the steering wheel slowly to see if the power assist works. If not, this may signal that the Dynamic Power Steering needs to be replaced.
- Check the Vehicle Speed Sensor, located in the gearbox above the rear axles, to ensure the wiring is functional and it is connected properly.
If all of the above checks out, the likely cause of these steering issues is the DPS overheating. This can happen after driving for extended periods of time.
When the DPS overheats, the amount of steering assist the driver gets will drop until it finally quits altogether, or until the DPS cools down.
This is a normal occurrence, and the power steering should return once cooled down.
Can-Am Defender Steering Rack Problems
Staying on the subject of steering, Can-Am Defender steering rack problems are another common occurrence in these models.
Many times, owners find that their steering wheel has a lot of play in it, making it difficult for drivers to know the position of the front wheels.
Owners also experience steering wheel sloop, where the steering wheel will be misaligned and not centered correctly with the tires all facing directly forward.
This can leave the vehicle with less turning radius on one side than the other.
Causes & Fixes
The stock steering racks are generally to blame for this, as they have a tendency to crack from wear. The bushings on the end of the steering rack don’t hold up well either.
This can occur regardless of how owners drive or care for their vehicles, as the steering racks and their components are not of the highest quality.
If any of these issues arise, it is recommended that owners upgrade to a higher quality aftermarket steering rack, along with a steering rack brace.
TCR Performance makes a highly recommended steering rack for the Can-Am Defender, as does Super ATV.
Tie Rods Bending
The stock tie rods in the Can-Am Defenders are not known for their quality either, and are pretty frequently bent while riding.
A bent tie rod will contribute to the steering wheel sloop mentioned above.
Fix
It is recommended that the stock tie rods be replaced with stronger aftermarket tie rods to prevent this from happening.
Upgraded tie rods can be included with Super ATV’s upgraded steering rack and pinion, and will make a big difference.
Can-Am Defender Belt Problems
Can-Am Defender belt problems also seem to plague some models.
Belt slippage is common, which causes the vehicle to want to take off any time the brake is not engaged, even without any pressure applied to the gas.
Owners also experience a screaming or whining noise from the belt when idling or coasting downhill.
This is somewhat similar to the issues experienced in the very similar UForce 1000 model, with a review of the CFMoto UForce 1000 vs Can Am Defender showing how the two compare and contrast.
Causes & Fixes
These belt problems are usually the result of failing rollers or a faulty one-way bearing in the clutch system.
The rollers are known to wear down and break over time. When they fail, the clutch will not fully open and the belt will rub against one or both sides of the clutch.
If experiencing these symptoms, owners should inspect the rollers in their secondary clutch and replace them if necessary.
The one-way bearing in the clutch is prone to becoming damaged or worn rather easily as well, especially from a buildup of dust and grime in the clutch.
When it malfunctions, the result is usually excessive belt drag or slippage and the vehicle tending to take off when going into gear.
Owners should inspect this bearing and replace it if need be.
Preventative Belt And Clutch Care
Idling for extended periods is known to cause the one-way bearing to wear out over time and leads to failure.
To prevent this, a best practice is for owners to simply shut off their machine rather than letting it sit and idle for prolonged periods of time.
Additionally, it is recommended that owners clean their clutch system by blowing out both the primary and secondary clutches with a compressor around every 300 miles.
Grit and grime buildup in clutches will occur regardless of where or how owners drive their vehicle. This buildup will cause excessive wear on the clutch if not removed.
Multiple mechanics have confirmed that doing this will prolong the life of your clutch and belt, as well as ensure your Defender can reach its top speed.
Squeaky Brakes
The award for the most annoying problem with the Can-Am Defender goes to the issue of squeaky brakes.
The brakes tend to squeak loudly when applying and not applying them, which is noisy and embarrassing when out for a drive.
Fixes
Fortunately, this can usually be overcome with some dielectric grease. For the best results, take the brake calipers apart and remove the pins, applying grease to both.
Then apply the same grease to the clips that hold the brake pads in, as well as to the back side of the brake pads. This should help to alleviate the issue.
Additionally, squeaky brakes seem to be exasperated by dry weather and driving in dusty settings.
For folks in these settings, try hosing down your brake pads to clean them up a bit. You can also use soapy water or a brake cleaner to really wash them.
This has been known to cut down or alleviate brake noise that is happening due to accumulation of dust or dirt.
Stock Battery Dies Quickly
The stock battery in the Can-Am Defender is known to drain rather quickly if supporting added electronics, but also commonly dies out faster than you’d expect if not hooking it to a battery tender when not in use.
Additionally, the stock battery leads to some hesitation issues when starting the engine, with cold starting being especially problematic.
Fixes
For those installing accessories that will hook to the battery, or who want to avoid these issues altogether, it is recommended to upgrade your battery.
The Odyssey PC1200 battery will provide all the power you need for as many accessories as you can load onto your Defender, but it’s a little pricey.
A standard Group 51 battery will do just fine as well.
An upgraded battery will also eliminate any hesitation when starting the machine, with it turning over and firing up quicker.
Cab Leaks
For 2021 and newer Can-Am Defender models, cab leaks are another common headache.
Leaks usually occur in the areas of the front roof corners, windshield, and the weather stripping for the doors.
This leaking makes it hard to drive in the rain or give the exterior a good washing with the hose.
And not only water, but dust seems to find its way into the “sealed” cab as well under the bottom of the rear doors.
Fixes
To fix this, it is recommended that owners or their dealers caulk the top side bolts on the front corners of the hard top roof.
When it comes to the doors, remove the door panels to gain access to the lower hinges.
Ensure the doors are utilizing both the upper and lower hinges along with the door strike in order to seal each door up snuggly and center them properly.
This should align them perfectly with the weather stripping to prevent leaking.
Shifting Trouble
Trouble shifting gears is another recurring issue in the Can-Am Defenders.
Many owners find that when attempting to shift into any gear from a complete stop on any incline, the gear shift will stick.
You may also hear a grinding noise when attempting to shift gears, along with the gear indicator light not coming on.
These are all symptoms of an improperly adjusted shift linkage, which occurs in plenty of other big-name models like the Polaris Ranger 1000 and CFMoto UForce 1000 as well.
Causes & Fixes
The need for an adjustment to the shift linkage usually occurs due to one or both of the lock nuts that hold it in place vibrating loose, resulting in the shift linkage transferring to an incorrect position.
This may also be a result of an improperly set shift linkage during assembly. Either way, the shift linkage needs to be adjusted into the correct position.
To do this, locate the shift linkage cable and loosen the back nut about 1.5 to 2 turns to shift it to the right, and then tighten the front nut in the same direction to lock it in place at the newly adjusted location.
You can adjust the gear shift back and forth while making this adjustment to ensure it is set correctly.
Overheating
While Can-Am engines are looked at as some of the best in the industry, they’re not without their drawbacks.
Like many other UTV engines, they are prone to overheating. This is also a common problem in Polaris Rangers.
This overheating can occur for a few different reasons.
- Clogged Radiator
- Temperature Sensor
- Air Blockage in Coolant System
- Blown Head Gasket
Clogged Radiator
If you’re riding off-road like the Defenders are meant for, the radiators in these vehicles can become clogged with sand, mud, and grass over time which will result in overheating.
Be sure and clean your radiator fins with a water hose frequently, especially after rides through muddy areas.
If you’ve got a real bad clog on your hands, remove the radiator grill and soak it in something like Simple Green Cleaner.
Temperature Sensor
The fan in the Defender is programmed not to engage until the engine reaches temperatures of around 210 degrees.
A problem can arise when running in low gear for an extended period of time, especially in warmer climates or at higher elevations.
As the fan is not triggered until 210 degrees, sometimes in these conditions that is not enough time to keep the engine out of the overheating zone, which starts around 230 degrees.
Having your ECU tuned is the first way to combat this, as a tune will usually re-set the fan to engage at a lower temperature of around 190 degrees, which should solve the problem.
But you can also install a toggle switch on the dash to bypass the temperature sensor and allow you to turn on the fan as needed.
Airlock In Coolant System
If your fan is not engaging properly and your engine is coming close to overheating, you’re putting your Defender at risk of developing an air pocket in the coolant system.
This can result in airlock, where the air pocket blocks the proper flow of coolant to the engine leading to overheating.
When airlock occurs, the engine won’t stop overheating until the air is bled from the coolant system.
Blown Head Gasket
If your engine overheats, your head gaskets are at risk of blowing as well.
You can spot a blown head gasket if when bleeding the air from your coolant system, the bubbling from the coolant reservoir will not subside as it should.
You can also use a head gasket test kit to confirm a blown head gasket, and replace as needed.
Conclusion
As an owner of this model, the most likely Can-Am Defender problems you’ll encounter are steering problems, steering rack problems, the tie rods bending, belt problems, squeaky brakes, the stock battery dying quickly, cab leaks, shifting trouble, and overheating.
Fortunately, most of the issues can be overcome by some minor modifications or mechanical repairs.
For more on Can-Am side-by-sides, check out the following guides before you go:
