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Research · Two Seaters

2018 Audi R8Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint for the 2018 Audi R8. Most complaints involve air bags (1). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
17–18mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
1
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2018 Audi R8 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2024 – Mar 2024
  1. Air bags1

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
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
1
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

Air bags

1 report1 crash
“The car was involved in a fatal crash where the side impact airbag (side of fatality) failed to deploy and the EDR failed to fully comply with Part 563 requirements. All other airbags and rollover system deployed but the EDR recorded only the deployment of the side impact airbag on the driver side. The EDR included 6 events and some of them have severity less than the threshold required by the regulation. There was a criminal investigation and trial as a result of the fatality and the state witnesses explained this failure due to the fact the airbag deployed so fast so the EDR could not record it. I believe the EDR failed to record the crash event correctly and also failed to deploy the side impact airbag on the passenger side, This is evident from the fact that there are 4 other airbags and a rollover protection system that were deployed and the EDR, contrary to Part 563, failed to record them.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11577929
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
5.2L 10-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S7)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 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 RWD
Auto (AM-S7), 10 cyl, 5.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142518$4,300497
R8 Spyder RWD
Auto (AM-S7), 10 cyl, 5.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142518$4,300497
R8 AWD
Auto (AM-S7), 10 cyl, 5.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
142217$4,550531
R8 Spyder AWD
Auto (AM-S7), 10 cyl, 5.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
142217$4,550531
  • R8 RWD
    Auto (AM-S7), 10 cyl, 5.2 L
    14 city · 25 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • R8 Spyder RWD
    Auto (AM-S7), 10 cyl, 5.2 L
    14 city · 25 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • R8 AWD
    Auto (AM-S7), 10 cyl, 5.2 L
    14 city · 22 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • R8 Spyder AWD
    Auto (AM-S7), 10 cyl, 5.2 L
    14 city · 22 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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 2018 Audi R8 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 12390
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

2018 R8 questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Audi R8 have?

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

What are the most common 2018 Audi R8 problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Audi R8 get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Audi R8 at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026