Research · Two Seaters

2009 Audi R8Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for the 2009 Audi R8. Most complaints involve structure (2) and suspension (2). The EPA rates it 15 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
15mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
6
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$5,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2009 Audi R8 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

6 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2015 – Jul 2019
  1. Structure2
  2. Suspension2
  3. Engine1
  4. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each R8 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20085
20096
20181
20201
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

2 reports
“FOR THE YEARS 2008-2010 AUDI R8 MODELS ARE PRONE TO EXPERIENCING STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE FRAME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO . I SAW THE PREVIOUS RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND IT HAS NEVER REPAIRED TO GET THE REENFORCED FRAME STRUCTURE. I HAVEN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOW I'M FINDING OUT THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOTED AS FRAME DAMAGE. SHOULDN'T AUDI/VOLKSWAGEN TAKE CARE OF THIS ESPECIALLY WITH THE HISTORY OF COMMON COMPLAINTS . I ONLY FOUND THIS OUT WHEN MY AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME OF THE CRACKED FRAME MEANWHILE DOING ROUTINE SERVICE OF THE BRAKE FLUID . THEY SENT ME A MESSAGE SAYING THAT THEY ENCOUNTERED A MAJOR ISSUE AND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR IS BREAKING OFF AND NEAR SEPARATION.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2019StructureODI 11231859

Suspension

2 reports
“THE MAGNETIC RIDE SHOCKS WILL PREMATURELY LEAK OIL WHICH LEADS TO SUSPENSION FAILURE. PART OF THE FUNCTION IS TO STIFFEN THE SUSPENSION IF SWITCHED INTO SPORT MODE BUT THE LACK OF OIL FLUID WILL PREVENT IT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. A SIMILAR ISSUE OCCURRED WITH AUDI RS4 AND RS4 LEAKING SHOCKS. OWNERS WERE OFFERED BY AUDI REPLACEMENT IMPROVED SHOCK OR REIMBURSE THEM IF THEY HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THEM EVEN IF OUT OF WARRANTY. THOSE OWNERS AND R8 OWNERS WERE WORRIED ABOUT SUSPENSION FAILURE AGAIN SINCE THE FAULTY SHOCKS ARE PRONE TO FAIL AGAIN SO THEY FELT BEST TO REPLACE THEM WITH OTHER NON MAGNETIC SHOCKS.PRIOR TO THE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM WAS ANNOUNCED. SOME OWNERS HAD LEAKING SHOCKS WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY BUT WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. MY R8 HAD 12,000 MILES WHEN ALL THE SHOCKS WERE DISCOVERED TO BE LEAKING. I ONLY DISCOVERED THIS ISSUE WHEN I READ ABOUT THE COMMON ISSUE ON A R8 FORUM. MANY MORE OWNERS THAT ARE NOT PART OF R8 FORUMS WILL NOT KNOW OF THIS COMMON ISSUE. DRIVERS DO NOT EXPECT PREMATURE SUSPENSION FAILURE AND IT IS SAFETY ISSUE. UNKNOWING OWNERS WOULD EXPECT THE SHOCKS TO NOT FAIL AND CAN SAFELY GO OVER BUMPS OR POT HOLES WITHOUT POSSIBLY LOSING CONTROL…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2016SuspensionODI 10818728

Engine

1 report
“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING A FAILURE ON SECONDARY AIR PORTS. TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT SECONDARY AIR PUMP MOTOR WAS FINE AS WELL AS ALL VACUUM LINES. IT WAS SUSPECTED AFTER INSPECTION OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND TOP CYLINDER HEADS WERE AT FAULT, DUE TO EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILD-UP. NO AIR CIRCULATING DUE TO THE DECREASE IN AIR FLOW FROM THE EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILD-UP. UPDATED 7/29/15*CN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2015EngineODI 10726127
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
4.2L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
R8
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131815$5,150592
R8
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121915$5,150592
  • R8
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • R8
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L
    12 city · 19 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Audi R8 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 5292
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 R8 questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Audi R8 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 8, 2026.

What are the most common 2009 Audi R8 problems?

Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (2), suspension (2), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Audi R8 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Audi R8 at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026