Audi R8 reliability
The Audi R8 fails its MOT less often than most cars over 10 years old: 12% of 1,963 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.
6 DVSA recalls for the Audi R8
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Replacing Takata driver airbag
The safety of our customers and the reliability and long-term service life of our models represent our top priority. For this reason Audi conducts programmes to constantly monitor the quality of its products.Extensive analyses have found that the gas generator housing for your vehicle’s front airbag may in extremely rare cases be overloaded and even burst when the front airbag is triggered. If this were to happen small metal parts could become dislodged from the housing and potentially cause life-threatening injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: As a precautionary safety measure it is necessary to replace the airbag unit. The work required will take approximately two hours and will of course be performed free of charge. Please note for organisational reasons the Audi Centre may require your vehicle for longer they will advise you of this at the point of booking.
Recalled models: R8 · 676 vehicles
If a front airbag is deployed it is possible that the gas generator housing in which the propellant is generated may burst on vehicles manufactured within a limited period.
If a front airbag is deployed it is possible that the gas generator housing in which the propellant is generated may burst on vehicles manufactured within a limited period.
Fix: As a precautionary safety measure it is necessary to replace the airbag unit on the driver side.
Recalled models: R8 · 1 vehicles
The airbag gas generator on the passenger side of an affected vehicle could burst in the event of an accident in which the airbag is triggered.
The airbag gas generator on the passenger side of an affected vehicle could burst in the event of an accident in which the airbag is triggered.
Fix: Replace the front passenger airbag unit.
Recalled models: R8 · 1 vehicles
The level of oil in the gearbox may be insufficient
The level of oil in the gearbox may be insufficient.
Fix: The gear oil level on the affected vehicles must be checked and topped up if necessary.
Recalled models: R8 · 1 vehicles
Possible oil leakage may occur at the gearbox breather
it is possible that oil leakage may occur at the gearbox breather when the vehicle is being driven on a racetrack and extreme driving manoeuvres are being undertaken. As a result smoke may be produced and a vehicle fire cannot be ruled out.
Fix: On the vehicles affected the single breather pipe for the gearbox breather system must be replaced by a dual breather pipe.
Recalled models: R8 · 968 vehicles
Fuel may leak
Fuel hose may come into contact with the heat shield. This could cause damage to the fuel hose in isolated cases can lead to fuel leaks.
Fix: Inspection of fuel hose and replace if necessary.
Recalled models: R8 · 483 vehicles
Checking a Audi R8 before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.