2018 Audi R8: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2018 Audi R8 at 17–18 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 1 owner complaint for this model year.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
17–18
NHTSA overall rating
—
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as R8 SPYDER.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Audi dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2018 Audi R8 recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2018 Audi R8, newest first.
Power train: Automatic transmission
NHTSA 18V639000Reported Sep 17, 2018
Filed by
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 34J1)
Units affected
1,916 (estimate)
Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi R8 Spyder and R8 Coupe vehicles. Transmission fluid may leak from the gearbox ventilation hose after certain high speed and maneuvering situations.
Risk
If leaked transmission fluid contacts hot engine parts, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the single gearbox ventilation hose with a double ventilation hose, free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 34J1.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2018 Audi R8 fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2018 Audi R8 crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2018 Audi R8 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2018 Audi R8 2 DR AWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
No
2018 Audi R8 Spyder C AWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
No
2018 Audi R8 Spyder C AWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
No
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2018 Audi R8 owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2018 Audi R8, most recently on Mar 18, 2024. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injured people and 1 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2018 Audi R8 complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Air bags
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
