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Model Year Map

Audi R8 years: every US model year on one map

Two generations, two bodies, and three gearbox types over 16 years. Tap a year to see what that car could have, and which recalls cover it.

Audi R8

NHTSA data as of Oct 31, 2026

Audi R8 US model years, 2008 to 2023Each track is a generation or version. Each year is a station. Hollow stations are years only NHTSA lists. Dotted gaps are years with no US model in our sources. Small ticks mark recall campaigns.2008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023Type 42 CoupeType 42 SpyderType 4S CoupeType 4S SpyderRear drive

  • Year in our sourcesIn sources
  • Listed by NHTSA onlyNHTSA only
  • No US model year in our sourcesNo US year
  • The engine or gearbox menu changesEngine or gearbox change
  • One tick per recall campaignRecall

US years come from Audi USA and NHTSA. A year that neither lists shows as a gap.

Read in your browser only. We do not send or store it.

Pick a year to see its card

Tap a station on the map, pick a year above, or paste a VIN. The card lists what that year could have and every recall that names it.

Recalls on this line

Audi R8 recalls, by cars not reported fixed

Campaigns that only cover this car come first, with the maker’s latest count. Campaigns shared with other models come last, because their counts are not Audi R8 counts.

  • 18V639

    Extreme track driving could let gearbox oil escape through a ventilation hose. Fix: Dealers fitted a double ventilation hose in place of the single one. NHTSA 18V639

    Model years named: 2017 and 2018

    Built Dec 7, 2015 to Nov 17, 2017 NHTSA 18V639

    121not reported fixed

    Latest maker report, Q1 2020: 1,795 of 1,916 reported fixed.

    Not reported fixed, by quarterly report

    The report also lists 3 as unreachable and 0 as removed.

  • 22V225

    The gearbox could have too little oil. Fix: Dealers checked and corrected the oil level. NHTSA 22V225

    Model years named: 2021 and 2022

    1not reported fixed

    Latest maker report, Q1 2024: 7 of 8 reported fixed.

    Not reported fixed, by quarterly report
  • 11V390

    The fuel supply line could rub against a heat shield and leak a small amount of fuel. Fix: Dealers changed the heat shield and checked the fuel line, then adjusted or replaced it. NHTSA 11V390

    Model years named: 2011 and 2012

    Built May 18, 2010 to Jun 22, 2011 NHTSA 11V390

    No maker fix count on file with NHTSA.

  • 19V014

    The driver air bag inflator could explode in a crash. Audi lists 1,075 Coupes and 99 Spyders. Fix: A new driver air bag. Treat an open recall as a reason to stop until a dealer does the work. NHTSA 19V014

    Model years named: 2017

    Built Nov 10, 2016 to Feb 3, 2017 NHTSA 19V014

    This campaign also covered other models, so its fix count is not an Audi R8 number.

  • 22V543Listed federally, not yet in our notes
    Federal part listed: air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.

    Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.

    NHTSA campaign record 22V543

    Model years named: 2016

    This campaign also covered other models, so its fix count is not an Audi R8 number.

Year by year

Every Audi R8 year in one list

  1. 2008 Audi R8

    Changed
    The R8 arrives in the US.
    Engine
    4.2-liter V8.
    Gearbox
    Gated six-speed manual or R tronic.
    Body
    Coupe.
    Versions
    Audi quattro all-wheel drive.
    VIN 10th character
    8

    No recall campaign names this year in NHTSA’s file.

  2. 2009 Audi R8

    Engine
    4.2-liter V8.
    Gearbox
    Gated six-speed manual or R tronic.
    Body
    Coupe.
    Versions
    Audi quattro all-wheel drive.
    VIN 10th character
    9

    No recall campaign names this year in NHTSA’s file.

  3. 2010 Audi R8

    Changed
    Audi USA dates the V10 to 2010.
    Engine
    4.2-liter V8 or 5.2-liter V10.
    Gearbox
    Gated six-speed manual or R tronic.
    Body
    Coupe.
    Versions
    Audi quattro all-wheel drive.
    VIN 10th character
    A

    No recall campaign names this year in NHTSA’s file.

  4. 2011 Audi R8

    Changed
    The Spyder arrives.
    Engine
    4.2-liter V8 or 5.2-liter V10.
    Gearbox
    Gated six-speed manual or R tronic.
    Body
    Coupe or Spyder.
    Versions
    Audi quattro all-wheel drive.
    VIN 10th character
    B
    • 11V390: The fuel supply line could rub against a heat shield and leak a small amount of fuel.

  5. 2012 Audi R8

    Engine
    4.2-liter V8 or 5.2-liter V10.
    Gearbox
    Gated six-speed manual or R tronic.
    Body
    Coupe or Spyder.
    Versions
    Audi quattro all-wheel drive. R8 GT: 90 Coupes and 75 Spyders came to the US.
    VIN 10th character
    C
    • 11V390: The fuel supply line could rub against a heat shield and leak a small amount of fuel.

  6. 2013 Audi R8

    No US model year in our sources. VIN 10th character for 2013: D.

  7. 2014 Audi R8

    Changed
    The seven-speed S tronic replaces R tronic. The gated manual stays.
    Engine
    4.2-liter V8 or 5.2-liter V10.
    Gearbox
    Gated six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch. No R tronic.
    Body
    Coupe or Spyder.
    Versions
    Audi quattro all-wheel drive.
    VIN 10th character
    E

    No recall campaign names this year in NHTSA’s file.

  8. 2015 Audi R8

    Engine
    4.2-liter V8 or 5.2-liter V10.
    Gearbox
    Gated six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch. No R tronic.
    Body
    Coupe or Spyder.
    Versions
    Audi quattro all-wheel drive.
    VIN 10th character
    F

    No recall campaign names this year in NHTSA’s file.

  9. 2016 Audi R8

    NHTSA's VIN catalog lists a 2016 Audi R8, and recall 22V543 names this year. Our model-year sources list no 2016 US car. Read the VIN's 10th character and the window sticker before you trust the year.

    • 22V543: listed federally, not yet in our notes.

  10. 2017 Audi R8

    Changed
    Second generation. V10 and S tronic only, so the V8 and the manual end.
    Engine
    5.2-liter V10 only. The second generation dropped the V8.
    Gearbox
    Seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch only. No manual.
    Body
    Coupe or Spyder.
    Versions
    Audi quattro all-wheel drive. R8 V10 plus exclusive edition: 25 cars for the US, the first with Audi laser light.
    VIN 10th character
    H
    • 18V639: Extreme track driving could let gearbox oil escape through a ventilation hose.
    • 19V014: The driver air bag inflator could explode in a crash. Audi lists 1,075 Coupes and 99 Spyders.

  11. 2018 Audi R8

    Engine
    5.2-liter V10 only. The second generation dropped the V8.
    Gearbox
    Seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch only. No manual.
    Body
    Coupe or Spyder.
    VIN 10th character
    J
    • 18V639: Extreme track driving could let gearbox oil escape through a ventilation hose.

  12. 2019 Audi R8

    No US model year in our sources. VIN 10th character for 2019: K.

  13. 2020 Audi R8

    Changed
    A significant refresh for model year 2020.
    Engine
    5.2-liter V10 only. The second generation dropped the V8.
    Gearbox
    Seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch only. No manual.
    Body
    Coupe or Spyder.
    Versions
    Limited R8 V10 Decennium edition, shown with the updated 2020 R8.
    VIN 10th character
    L

    No recall campaign names this year in NHTSA’s file.

  14. 2021 Audi R8

    Changed
    Rear-wheel drive joins the regular lineup.
    Engine
    5.2-liter V10 only. The second generation dropped the V8.
    Gearbox
    Seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch only. No manual.
    Body
    Coupe or Spyder.
    Versions
    Rear-wheel drive or V10 performance quattro.
    VIN 10th character
    M
    • 22V225: The gearbox could have too little oil.

  15. 2022 Audi R8

    Engine
    5.2-liter V10 only. The second generation dropped the V8.
    Gearbox
    Seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch only. No manual.
    Body
    Coupe or Spyder.
    Versions
    Rear-wheel drive or V10 performance quattro.
    VIN 10th character
    N
    • 22V225: The gearbox could have too little oil.

  16. 2023 Audi R8

    Changed
    The last US model year.
    Engine
    5.2-liter V10 only. The second generation dropped the V8.
    Gearbox
    Seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch only. No manual.
    Body
    Coupe or Spyder.
    Versions
    V10 performance with rear-wheel drive (562 hp) or quattro (602 hp).
    VIN 10th character
    P

    No recall campaign names this year in NHTSA’s file.

Questions

Quick answers

What are the Audi R8 generations and versions by year?
First generation (Type 42) Coupe: 2008 to 2012, 2014, and 2015. First generation (Type 42) Spyder: 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015. Second generation (Type 4S) Coupe: 2017, 2018, and 2020 to 2023. Second generation (Type 4S) Spyder: 2017, 2018, and 2020 to 2023. Rear-wheel drive: 2021 to 2023. These are US model years named by the maker or by NHTSA.
Which Audi R8 years are not in our sources?
No source we use lists a US Audi R8 for 2013 and 2019. That is not proof none exists. NHTSA lists 2016, but our maker sources do not. Check the VIN and window sticker on any car sold as one of those years.
What is the best Audi R8 year, and which years should you avoid?
No model year is reliable or unreliable on its own. Each year’s card lists what to verify. Pick the version you want, then the car with the best records and a clean inspection.
How do I read an Audi R8’s model year from the VIN?
Read the 10th character of the 17-character VIN. 2008 is 8, 2009 is 9, 2010 is A, 2011 is B, 2012 is C, 2014 is E, 2015 is F, 2017 is H, 2018 is J, 2020 is L, 2021 is M, 2022 is N, 2023 is P. If the listing and the VIN disagree, ask why before you go further.
How many recalled Audi R8s have been reported fixed?
It depends on the campaign. For 18V639, the maker’s latest report (Q1 2020) lists 1,795 of 1,916 cars reported fixed, so 121 are not reported fixed. Check any car’s VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Keep going

How this map works

Method and sources

  • Each track is a generation or version. Each station is a US model year that a maker page or NHTSA names.
  • A hollow station is a year that only NHTSA lists, in its VIN catalog or a recall. Our maker sources do not list it.
  • A dotted gap is a year with no US model in our sources. That is not proof that none exists.
  • Recall rows come from NHTSA’s recall file. The plain wording comes from our Market Notes. A campaign the notes have not reviewed says so.
  • Fix counts come from the maker’s quarterly reports to NHTSA. We show one only when every car in the campaign is this model. “Reported fixed” is what the maker reported. It does not prove any one car was repaired.
  • The VIN reader follows the federal VIN rule: the check digit, the year character, and the maker code. It runs in your browser and sends nothing.
  • No year is ranked or colored good or bad. Each card says what to check.

NHTSA data as of Oct 31, 2026. We refresh the federal files from NHTSA and show the date here.

Sources (19)

This page lists facts from maker and federal sources. It is not an inspection, a recall check for one car, or advice to buy or sell.

Tools

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