Model year 2021 · Two Seaters

2021 Audi R8: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 Audi R8 at 16–17 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 0 owner complaints for this model year.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

16–17

NHTSA overall rating

—

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

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.

2021 Audi R8 recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2021 Audi R8, newest first.

Power train: Manual transmission: Lubricant

NHTSA 22V225000 Reported Apr 6, 2022
Filed by
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 37O1)
Units affected
8 (estimate)
Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 R8 Spyder and 2021-2022 R8 Coupe vehicles. The gearbox may have an insufficient amount of transmission oil, which can lead to clutch slippage, and in certain driving situations, a transmission oil leak.
Risk
Clutch slippage can cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash. A transmission oil leak in the presence of hot exhaust components can increase the risk of fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and correct the transmission oil level, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 37O1.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 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.

2021 Audi R8 EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
R85.2L 10-cylAutomatic 7-speedAll-Wheel DrivePremium13/20/16 mpg$5,150567
R8 2WD5.2L 10-cylAutomatic 7-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium14/23/17 mpg$4,850528
R8 Spyder5.2L 10-cylAutomatic 7-speedAll-Wheel DrivePremium13/20/16 mpg$5,150567
R8 Spyder 2WD5.2L 10-cylAutomatic 7-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium14/23/17 mpg$4,850528

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.

2021 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.

2021 Audi R8 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2021 Audi R8 2 DR AWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—No
2021 Audi R8 Coupe 2 DR RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—No
2021 Audi R8 Spyder C AWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—No
2021 Audi R8 Spyder C RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot 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.

2021 Audi R8 owner complaints

NHTSA's complaint files list no owner complaints for the 2021 Audi R8 received since January 1, 2015.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Audi R8 model years

Audi R8 by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2023 R815–17 mpg———
2022 R815–17 mpg10—
2020 R816 mpg01—
2018 R817–18 mpg11—
2017 R817 mpg———
2015 R814–17 mpg01—

All Audi R8 years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 Audi models

2021 Audi A42021 Audi A52021 Audi A62021 Audi A72021 Audi A82021 Audi e-tron2021 Audi Q32021 Audi Q52021 Audi Q72021 Audi Q82021 Audi RS2021 Audi RS Q82021 Audi S42021 Audi S52021 Audi S62021 Audi S7

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Audi.