Aston Martin DB9 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Aston Martin DB9 options? We analyzed 10 model years (2007–2016) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Free VIN check
Found a Aston Martin DB9? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Aston Martin DB9 has 9 owner complaints and 39 safety recalls across model years 2007–2016. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2007 drew the most complaints; 2013 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Aston Martin
- Model
- DB9
- Model years analyzed
- 2007–2016 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 9
- Safety recall campaigns
- 39
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2007 (4 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2013 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Excellent
By model year
Aston Martin DB9: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
ExcellentThe ASTON MARTIN DB9 has 9 NHTSA complaints and 39 recalls on record. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 9 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 39 federal recall campaigns
- No crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
39 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2007–2016. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 9 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
9 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Headlights, not bulbs, failed in both. It is available for inspection. Creates driving hazard for all.The defect has been confirmed by shop and no other inspections at this time. I did communicate with dealer who said they are not covered under any warranty or recall, and acknowledged it is a factory defect. No warning lights. The problem first appeared in January of 2022.
Both rear tail light covers are fogging and holding moisture droplets. Right side break light fails intermittently and before long may lead to electrical problems or loss of break light function. Car is just recently out of warranty so I don't anticipate any help from the dealer. The problem is consistent with other owners. Thank you.
THIS CAR HAS A SPRING COMPRESSION CHAMBER WHERE THE KEY GOES IN THE DASHBOARD . TWICE OVER THE LAST 6 YRS THE CHAMBER HAS SPIT THE KEY OUT LIKE A BULLET AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. ONCE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN 2017 AND AT A GAS STATION IN 2023. THE CHAMBER SMOKES UP AND IF SOMEONE WAS IN THE BACK SEAT THEY C/H/B KILLED BY THE FORCE OF THE CRYSTAL GLASS KEY. I REPORTED THE INCIDENTS TO THE ASTON MARTIN US REPS AND WAS SUMMARILY DISMISSED. THEY IGNORED ME. THE ASTON MARTIN DIMMITT GROUP IN TAMPA SERVICED MY CAR THIS YEAR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SINCE THEY DID NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY OUTREACH I FELT COMPELLED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. I DONT WANT ANYONE GETTING HURT. THIS IS A 250K CAR! I HAVE ALL THE REPAIR BILLS AND DOCUMENTATION THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR . MOST RECENT $18,000 IN 2023. I TRIED TO UPLOAD RECENT INVOICE ON YOUR UPLOAD PAGE BUT IT WOULD NOT TAKE. I CAN EMAIL TO YOU IF ASKED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
THE CAR STALLED AT A FEW MPH AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THIS HAD HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE. THE INSTRUMENTATION LIGHTS REMAINED ON. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO PALM BEACH MOTORS. THE COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW A FAULT AND THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE INCIDENT. THEY REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE AND WOULD NOT TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTION, EVEN THOUGH I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I SPOKE DIRECTLY WITH ASTON MARTIN, WHO ASKED QUESTIONS THAT INDICATED TO ME THAT THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS ISSUE, BUT HE WOULD NOT DIRECT PALM BEACH ASTON MARTIN TO TAKE ANY ACTION. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON A BUSY STREET IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE SELLING DEALER EVENTUAL BOUGHT THE CAR BACK. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THE INTERNET MANY TIMES. UNLESS THIS ISSUE IS UNDERSTOOD AND RECTIFIED, THIS CAR AND PROBABLY OTHER ASTON MARTINS ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
I HAD MY 2009 DB9 ASTON MARTIN PARKED AT THE TOP OF MY DRIVEWAY WHILE RETRIEVING MY MAIL. AS I WALKED BACK TO THE CAR (VERY SHORT DISTANCE) IT BEGAN ROLLING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. I WATCHED AS IT ROLLED OFF THE PAVED AREA &DOWN A RAVINE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE PARKING LITE WAS CLEARLY LIT AFTER THE CRASH. MY SON TOOK PICTURES. ASTON MARTIN WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ACCIDENT SAYING I DIDN`T HAVE IT IN PARK. I MOST CERTAINLY DID HAVE IT IN PARK BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT GET OUT OF ANY CAR ON MY DRIVEWAY WITHOUT IT BEING IN PARK. I SOLD THE CAR WITHOUT REPAIRING IT & THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAID ME FOR THE CAR. I OF COURSE HAD TO PAY MY 5000 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE. I LOST MONEY TRYING TO HIRE A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR WHO KEPT THE CAR 3 MONTHS & NEVER LOOKED AT IT. HE WAS CHARGING ME STORAGE FEES + NUMEROUS OTHER THINGS THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. I WROTE LETTERS TO ASTON MARTIN OF NORTH AMERICA & ALSO THE OWNER IN ENGLAND. THE RESPONSE WAS SMALL ONLY SAYING THEY WEREN'T RESPONSIBLE...I NEVER HEARD FROM ENGLAND.. APPARENTLY THIS "PARKING ISSUE" WAS A PROBLEM IN 05 & 06 . THEY CLAIM TO HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER I`M HERE TO TELL YOU THEY DIDN'T. IT SHOULD 'NEVER" BE THIS DIFFICULT TO PROVE THIS KIND OF THING. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT THEY COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN. JUST LIKE TOYOTA TOO MANY PEOPLE WERE SERIOUSLY HURT BEFORE ANYTHING GOT DONE. UNFORTUNATELY IT SEEMS THAT IT TAKES CONTACTING YOU PEOPLE TO MAKE THESE MANUFACTURES OWN-UP TO THEIR ERRORS & MAKE THINGS RIGHT.. *TR
TEST DRIVE CUSTOMERS CAR HOME TO EVALUATE ENGINE MISSFIRE. LEFT SHOP AT 5PM, DROVE APPROX 20 MILES TO MY HOUSE. NO PROBLEM NOTED, NEXT MORNING START THE CAR, DROVE 1.5 MILES TURNED RIGHT ONTO SANTIAGO CANYON ROAD IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIF. FROM MODJESKA CANYON ROAD, MILDY ACCELLERATED TO 45 MPH AND THE HOOD FLEW STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR. CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 70 MPH ON THE WAY HOME. THE HOOD LATCH FAILED AND THE SAFETY CATCH DID NOT ENGAGE THE HOOD. FOUND TO BE STUCK. I WAS ON A TWO LANE RODE WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND NOT HIT ANYTHING. IF IT HAD BEEN ON A FREEWAY AT A FASTER PACE WE WOULD HAVE MADE THE NEWS! *TR
Read 3 more owner reports
SINCE JULY 2010 I HAD COMPLAINTS ABOUT AN INTERMITTENT RATTLE NEAR THE DRIVERS OUTSIDE MIRROR. I MADE AT LEAST TEN TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND NOTHING SEEMED TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE. DURING THE LAST TIME THE DOOR PANEL WAS REMOVED, ANOTHER FIX MADE AND A SUBSEQUENT ROAD TEST, THE NOISE WAS HEARD BY THE DEALERS MECHANIC. AFTER TIGHTENING SOME BOLTS WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT FENDER NEAR THE A PILLAR WAS LOOSE, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. DURING THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THIS WINDSHIELD, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS NEVER INSTALLED PROPERLY AT THE ASTON MARTIN FACTORY IN GAYDON, UK. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT "PRIMER" APPLIED AND THIS MAJOR STRUCTURAL AND SAFETY COMPONENT WAS LITERALLY MOVING AROUND IN IT'S FRAME. SINCE THE NEW WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN INSTALLED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE FEELS AND SOUNDS MUCH TIGHTER. AFTER THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED PROPERLY, I ATTEMPTED TO SECURE SOME FORM OF RESTITUTION FROM ASTON MARTIN FOR ALL OF MY FRUSTRATIONS AN INCONVENIENCE WITH THIS ISSUE IN THE FORM OF NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AS THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE NOTORIOUS FOR ALMOST CONSTANTLY SQUEALING. TO DATE, THEY HAVE NOT AGREED TO DO THIS, STATING "TO BE HONEST, I DON'T SEE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN A RATTLE AND REPLACING NORMAL WEAR ITEMS ON YOUR CAR." THIS REPLY WAS RECEIVED FROM ASTON MARTIN'S NORTH AMERICAN REP. I RECEIVED BASICALLY THE SAME CAVALIER AND ARROGANT RESPONSES FROM THE UK. NOT ONCE IN ANY OF THEIR REPLIES TO ME DID THEY EVER USE THE WORD "WINDSHIELD", APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE, LET ALONE SHOW EVEN THE SLIGHTEST CONCERN THAT MY WELL BEING WAS IN DANGER EVERY TIME THAT I TOOK THIS CAR OUT ON THE ROADS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE BEYOND CONFIRMATION OF RECEIPT OF MY COMPLAINT. *TR
ALL THE TIME WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR SPACEY WHEN I ACCELERATE THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUMES. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY AGREE THAT THERE IS A STRONG SMELL BUT THEY SAY ITS THE CLUTCH AND THERE IS NOTHING TO DO ABOUT IT . IN THOSE CAR THAT'S THE SMELL. I TOLD THEM THAT IN SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR FIRST I DON'T SUPPOSE TO HAVE SUCH A STRONG SMELL IN THE CAR AND SECOND EVEN IF IT FROM THE CLUTCH AS THEY SAY ITS NOT THE ONLY SMELL I FELT OF STRONG FUMES AND BURNING. UNTIL TODAY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO FAULT FROM THEIR SIDE. SMELL COMES WHEN I ACCELERATE , WHEN I REVERSED AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE DRIVING WITH NO REASON . SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR I BECOME SICK , DOCTORS COULDN'T BE SURE OF THE REASON AND I DIDN'T RELATED IT TO THE CAR UNTIL I HAVE BEEN ON THE ER AFTER ITS OCCUR AND I COULDN'T BREATH AND HAD STRONG CHEST PAIN AND DIZZY. CAR IS 2007 ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE . YOU HAVE ONLY DB9 AS OPTION. *TR
I BOUGHT AN ASTON MARTIN DB9 FROM BAUER JAGUAR/ ASTON MARTIN (1455 S. AUTO MALL DR, SANTA ANA, CA 92705) ON JULY 7 2007. THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR INTERSECTION IN LOS ANGELES ON AUGUST 17, 2007 (2,319 MILES). DEALER COMPLETED THE REPAIRS AND RETURNED THE CAR ON AUGUST 20, 2007. THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS AND WAS BROUGHT BACK ON MARCH 31, 2008 FOR MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. AT THIS TIME THE DEALER RECOMMEND A TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND REPAIRS COMPLETED ON APRIL 11, 2008. I HAVE SEND 3 EMAILS TO ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA FACTORY (SCOTT MORGAN, AFTER SALES MANAGER ASTON MARTIN, DR, U BEZ CEO OF ASTON MARTIN) AND THE GENERAL MANGER OF BAUER JAGUAR/ASTON MARTIN (JAMES PEACOCK) ASKING THEM TO BUY BACK THIS CAR AND THEY ARE TAKING THE POSITION THAT ALL THE REPAIRS ARE DONE AND THAT I CAN PICK UP MY CAR. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO DRIVE IT CAUSE: 1-I FEEL THE CAR IS NOT SAFE AND/OR RELIABLE 2-THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT HAS SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED THE MARKET VALUE OF THIS CAR. *TR
Showing 9 of 9 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Aston Martin DB9
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Aston Martin DB9, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Aston Martin DB9 has 9 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Aston Martin DB9 has 39 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 0 of the Aston Martin DB9's 9 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Excellent) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Aston Martin DB9 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Aston Martin DB9 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Aston Martin DB9 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Compare
Buyers also compare
How does the Aston Martin DB9 stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Aston Martin DB9 by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Aston Martin DB9.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Aston Martin DB9 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Aston Martin DB9 reliable?
Excellent. The Aston Martin DB9 has 9 NHTSA owner complaints and 39 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Aston Martin DB9 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2007 (4 complaints), 2009 (2 complaints), 2015 (2 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Aston Martin DB9 problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4 complaints); EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints); FUEL SYSTEM (2 complaints).
Does the Aston Martin DB9 have recalls?
Yes — 39 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Aston Martin DB9. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.