Aston Martin V8 Vantage Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Aston Martin V8 Vantage options? We analyzed 10 model years (2009–2018) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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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
ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE (2009–2018) has 11 NHTSA complaints and 29 recalls. Top complaints involve exterior lighting and vehicle speed control (4 each). Crash-related complaints total 3. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Aston Martin
- Model
- V8 Vantage
- Model years analyzed
- 2009–2018 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 11
- Safety recall campaigns
- 29
- Crash-related complaints
- 3
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2016 (4 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2014 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Reliability signal
- Average
By model year
Aston Martin V8 Vantage: 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
AverageBased on NHTSA complaint data, the 2009–2018 Aston Martin V8 Vantage shows low complaint volume (11 total) but a high recall count (29). The top complaint components are exterior lighting and vehicle speed control, each with 4 complaints. Crash-related complaints number 3. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Exterior lighting accounts for 4 of 11 total complaints.
- Vehicle speed control also accounts for 4 complaints.
- 2016 model year has the most complaints (4).
- Exterior lighting issues reported in 4 complaints.
- Vehicle speed control issues reported in 4 complaints.
- Power train issues reported in 3 complaints.
Model years 2016 (4 complaints) and 2015 (3 complaints) show elevated complaints, primarily in exterior lighting and speed control.
Model years 2009, 2013, and 2014 have zero complaints, suggesting fewer reported issues, though data confidence is low.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for exterior lighting and speed control repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect power train and engine components.
- Test drive to evaluate speed control and transmission behavior.
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
29 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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER TRAIN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER TRAIN
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
POWER TRAIN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
POWER TRAIN
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2009–2018. 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 11 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
11 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read 5 more owner reports
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:14V010000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE NOTICE MONTHS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
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 INSURANCE WOULD NOT COVER IT SAYING IT WAS A DEFECT WITH ASTON MARTIN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO SINCE I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIRS. THE PERSON THAT HIT ME ONLY HAD $5,000 INSURANCE COVERAGE. PLEASE HELP.
THIS WILL BE MY SECOND COMPLAINT. MY CAR ABRUPTLY CAME TO A STOP ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR CAUSING THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY AND CAUSING THE CAR TO BE LABELED AS A SALVAGED VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS OCCURRED DESPITE INFORMING THE DEALER.
THE CAR WAS MOVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THEN SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND LOST ALL POWER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. WE HAD TO PUSH IT OFF THE ROAD. THEN IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL AND WE CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE IT TOWED, PLEASE NOTE THIS IS THE SECOND DAY AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED.
IN THE FIRST WEEK OF BUYING THE VEHICLE THE CAR ABRUPTLY STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD IT PUSHED OFF AND ASTON MARTIN (GALPIN FORD) TOWED IT BACK, SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE ISSUE AFTER ALMOST A FULL WEEK AND REFUSED TO HAVE IT RETURNED. NOT MORE THAN 30 DAYS LATER THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURS EXCEPT THIS TIME A CAR HITS ME FULL SPEED WHILE MY CAR IS ALMOST AT A COMPLETE STANDSTILL TOTALING THE VEHICLE AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO ME. IF I HAD A PASSENGER, HE/SHE WOULD HAVE DIED.
Showing 11 of 11 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Aston Martin V8 Vantage
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 V8 Vantage, 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 V8 Vantage has 11 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 V8 Vantage has 29 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. 3 of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage's 11 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 (Average) 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 V8 Vantage vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Aston Martin V8 Vantage 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 V8 Vantage has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Aston Martin V8 Vantage reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage reliable?
Average. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage has 11 NHTSA owner complaints and 29 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Aston Martin V8 Vantage years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2016 (4 complaints), 2015 (3 complaints), 2010 (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 V8 Vantage problems?
Top reported issues: EXTERIOR LIGHTING (4 complaints); VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (4 complaints); POWER TRAIN (3 complaints).
Does the Aston Martin V8 Vantage have recalls?
Yes — 29 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.