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Aston Martin V8 Vantage problems & complaints

What Aston Martin V8 Vantage owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Aston Martin V8 Vantage safety recalls or check your VIN.

Owner complaints
12
Service bulletins (TSBs)
68+
Crashes / fires reported
3 / 0
Defect investigations
0

Complaints by model year

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.

  • 20164
  • 20153
  • 20121
  • 20112
  • 20102
YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuredDeathsTSBs
20190000068
20170000030
20164303027
20153000030
20140000030
20130000030
20121000029
20112000029
20102000030

Most reported problems

The vehicle systems named most often in Aston Martin V8 Vantage complaints (one complaint can name several).

  • Exterior Lighting5
  • Vehicle Speed Control4
  • Engine3
  • Power Train3
  • Air Bags1
  • Electrical System1
  • Service Brakes1
  • Structure1

Latest owner complaints

In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

  • 2010 V8 VantageJan 13, 2025Power TrainNHTSA #11635645
    The contact owns a 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage. The contact stated that while the vehicle was connected to a battery refresher, the vehicle started independently and the parking brake released independently, causing the vehicle to rollaway before coming to a complete stop at the edge of the driveway. The low battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
  • 2015 V8 VantageApr 28, 2024Power TrainNHTSA #11585661
    Hydraulic hoses connected to the shifting mechanism on the sportshift 2 (automated transmission) ruptured or prematurely corroded at connection of fittings, causing hydraulic oil to be spilled onto the undercarriage of the vehicle and onto transaxle and rear tires. This causes the potential hazard of catastrophic lockup of the transmission while vehicle is in movement and/or the potential loss of traction at the rear wheels of the vehicle possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control. This is a known issue/defect that needs to be addressed on all Vantages equipped with this transmission. This is similar to Sportshift recall C19054 / RA-07-0024 issued July 2017
  • 2011 V8 VantageFeb 14, 2024Exterior LightingNHTSA #11571870
    The tail light on my car leaks and condensates - this is a problem with ALL Aston Martin Vantages and DB9's made from 2005 through 2017. The problem is that Aston Martin never had a fix and instead sells defective lights as a replacement when they fail from the condensation only to be assured they will eventually fail again.
  • 2015 V8 VantageJun 15, 2022Exterior LightingNHTSA #11469381
    Tailights allow water into them, a very common problem from factory causing them to malfunction. Brake lights will stop working this is a serious safety issue and one Aston Martin knows about. A recall should be issued on these lights.
  • 2012 V8 VantageOct 9, 2020Exterior LightingNHTSA #11363599
    ASTON MARTINS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING CONDENSATION BOTH IN THE HEADLIGHT AND TAIL LIGHTS. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM DUE TO BAD DESIGN AND BUILD YET THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CONDENSATION CAN CAUSE THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT CAUSING POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS ON THE ROAD.
  • 2011 V8 Vantage SSep 11, 2020Exterior LightingNHTSA #11354401
    CONDENSATION BUILDING UP IN THE REAR TAIL LIGHT THAT COULD CAUSE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. ISSUE IS HOW THEY ARE INSTALLED PER REP AT COMPANY. CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME THE CAR GETS WET.
  • 2015 V8 VantageJul 8, 2019Exterior LightingNHTSA #11230035
    BRAKE LIGHTS HAD WATER CONDENSATION INSIDE, CAUSING THE LEDS INSIDE TO SHORT OUT. THIS PREVENTS OTHER DRIVERS FROM BEING AWARE OF BRAKING, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO COLLISIONS.
  • 2016 V8 Vantage SApr 13, 2019Structure, Engine, Vehicle Speed Controlcrash1 injuredNHTSA #11195962
    IN ONCE INCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY, WHICH HAPPENED TO BE THE SECOND DAY I LEASED THE CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP AND I HAD TO TOW IT OFF THE FREEWAY TO THE CLOSEST CORNER STORE. I THEN CALLED THE DEALER I LEASED THE CAR FROM AND WENT THROUGH A NUMBER OF OPTIONS, NONE OF WHICH WORKED. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO LEAVE MY $160,000 CAR OVERNIGHT IN A VERY BAD NEIGHBORHOOD AND ASTON MARTIN WOULD PICK IT UP THE NEXT DAY. I WAS TOLD OVER A WEEK LATER THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. LESS THAN 30 DAYS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED EXCEPT THIS TIME I WAS SIDE-SWIPED/REAR-ENDED BY A CAR GOING 70 MPH AND MY CAR AT A NEAR STOP. MY CAR WAS TOTALED COMPLETELY WITH ALL THE RIGHT SIDE AIR BAGS GOING OFF. MY INSURANC…

Technical service bulletins (TSBs)

Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.

  • QN-01-1735
    Mar 1, 2023Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsEquipment

    Workshop procedure to install the correct sill plaques.

  • SPL-30-1545
    Oct 17, 2022Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsEquipment

    Phased Launch of Bosch MTS 6531 VCI Unit

  • SB-03-1640
    Aug 2, 2022Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsVisibility

    EVAP Diagnostic and Repair Process

  • SPL-10-1520
    May 20, 2021Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFuel System, Diesel

    Compliance with E10 Fuel

  • SB-03-1476
    Apr 23, 2021Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsEngine And Engine Cooling

    Engine Cover Modification

  • SB-07-1473
    Apr 21, 2021Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsElectrical System

    Active Differential Wiring Loom Inspection

  • SB-03-1481
    Jan 12, 2021Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsEngine And Engine Cooling, Electrical System

    Process to Update the V8 ECM Software

  • SB-30-1282V2
    Dec 3, 2020Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsEquipment

    Set up Guide for Data Loggers

  • SPL-06-1449
    Oct 30, 2020Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsService Brakes, Hydraulic

    Conditioned Carbon Brakes

  • OTH-30-1440
    Oct 22, 2020Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsEquipment

    Vantage Roadster Vehicle Information Sheet

  • SPL-04-1273V2
    Oct 21, 2020Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsTires

    Tyre Data for Vehicles From 17MY Onward

  • OTH-19-1368
    Feb 10, 2020Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsEngine And Engine Cooling

    Crankshaft Sensor - High RPM Test

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.

Questions

What are the most common Aston Martin V8 Vantage problems?

In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2019, owners most often name: exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, engine. 12 complaints are on record.

Is a complaint or a TSB the same as a recall?

No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.

How do I report a problem with my Aston Martin V8 Vantage?

File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.