Audi R8 Recall R/2018/255: Possible Oil Leakage May Occur At The Gearbox Breather, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 21 Sep 2018
- Launched
- 968
- vehicles in the UK
- 34J1
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Audi recalled R8 vehicles built between 1 October 2015 and 30 November 2017. Oil leakage may occur at the gearbox breather when the vehicle is being driven on a racetrack and extreme driving manoeuvres are being undertaken. The dealer will replace the single breather pipe for the gearbox breather system by a dual breather pipe. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
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.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: POSSIBLE OIL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR AT THE GEARBOX BREATHER Defect: 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. Remedy: On the vehicles affected the single breather pipe for the gearbox breather system must be replaced by a dual breather pipe.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: possible oil leakage may occur at the gearbox breather.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the single breather pipe for the gearbox breather system by a dual breather pipe.
Are You Affected?
R8 built between 1 October 2015 and 30 November 2017 may be included. Audi estimates 968 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Audi, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Audi.
- Book with any franchised Audi dealer, quoting the campaign code 34J1 or the DVSA reference R/2018/255. See how to get a Audi recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| R8, TT, TtrsReplacing Takata driver airbag | Urgent | R/2026/089 | |
| R8, TTIf 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 | Urgent | R/2023/054 | |
| R8The 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 | Urgent | R/2023/123 | |
| R8The level of oil in the gearbox may be insufficient | Low | R/2022/129 | |
| R8Fuel may leak | Urgent | R/2011/100 |
This is one of 158 Audi recalls in DVSA’s data. The Audi recall launched before it was R/2018/161 on 18 Jun 2018, for rear brake pistons coated incorrectly. The one launched after it was R/2018/149 on 1 Oct 2018, for brake piston may not have been coated correctly. You can also see every Audi recall, all recalls launched in 2018 and fire risk recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2018/255, launched 21 September 2018. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.