Recall 18V639 affects 1,916 2017-2018 Audi R8 Spyder vehicles for transmission fluid leaks. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 1,916 2017-2018 R8 Spyder vehicles because transmission fluid can leak from the gearbox ventilation hose after certain high-speed driving and maneuvering. If that fluid reaches hot engine parts, it can increase the risk of fire, and Audi dealers will install the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The gearbox ventilation hose on the 2017-2018 Audi R8 Spyder gives the transmission a controlled path to breathe as fluid heats and expands. The transmission fluid lubricates gears and clutch parts inside the gearbox, and the vent system is supposed to hold the expanded fluid without letting it escape.
In affected cars, extreme racetrack driving can push the fluid beyond the expansion space in that vent system. High oil temperature, high transmission input speed, and hard side loading can make the fluid foam and expand. When that happens, transmission fluid can leak out through the gearbox ventilation hose instead of staying inside the gearbox.
If the issue is happening, an owner can notice a hot oil odor or smoke. Treat either sign as a warning that transmission fluid is leaving the gearbox ventilation system.
Who's affected?
Covers the R8 Spyder across the 2017 and 2018 model years, with the same automatic transmission component listed for both years.
| 2017 Audi R8 Spyder | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2018 Audi R8 Spyder | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 1,916 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Transmission fluid on hot engine parts increases fire risk. A hot oil odor or smoke is a warning sign that this issue is occurring. If you notice either, stop safely, shut the vehicle off, and call an Audi dealer before continuing. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Audi R8 Spyder is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free double ventilation hose replacement, which fixes the gearbox hose leak that lets transmission fluid reach hot engine parts.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. Reference recall number 18V639 when you call.
- Avoid high-speed driving and hard maneuvering until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician replaces the single gearbox ventilation hose with a double ventilation hose. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free. This repair addresses transmission fluid leaking from the gearbox ventilation hose after certain high speed and maneuvering situations. Volkswagen will not offer reimbursement for this campaign, so owners who already paid for a related repair do not have a separate recall reimbursement program under 18V639.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| September 17, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 18, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 31, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| October 31, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 31, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V639?
Recall 18V639 covers certain 2017-2018 Audi R8 Spyder vehicles with a gearbox ventilation hose that lets transmission fluid leak after high speed or maneuvering situations. If the fluid reaches hot engine parts, fire risk increases. Audi dealers replace the hose for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Audi R8 Spyder is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific R8 Spyder is included in recall 18V639. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer and ask for recall 34J1. The dealer will replace the single gearbox ventilation hose with a double ventilation hose for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Audi dealers will replace the single gearbox ventilation hose with a double ventilation hose free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. Transmission fluid leaking from the gearbox ventilation hose can contact hot engine parts, which increases the risk of a fire. The repair path is clear: confirm your VIN, then have an Audi dealer complete the hose replacement for free.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V639000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V639 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V639000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →