Aston Martin · 2009-2018
V12 Vantage
Known issues.
The V12 Vantage shares some Gaydon-era Aston habits with the V8 cars, but heat, access, and consumable loads raise the stakes. Small warnings are worth dealing with quickly. Factory campaigns and published service prices added on 27 October 2026 are sourced on this page. A campaign describes the cars it names, not a fault rate for every example.
What to watch forLiving with the V12 Vantage
Ownership snapshot
These cars respond best to owners who monitor battery condition, cooling health, tyres, and brake fluid proactively. Long periods of storage followed by hard use are a poor recipe.
Indicative service and repair costs
These are published menu figures from the named page, retrieved on the date shown. They are not a quote for a particular car, and extra diagnosis or parts change the bill.
| Item | Published price | VAT | Retrieved | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual service, Vantage V12, 2009–2018The same row lists air filters at £242 + VAT, differential oil at £343 + VAT, pollen filters at £120 + VAT and gearbox oil at £342 + VAT. | £653 + VAT | excluding VAT | Aston Martin V8 and V12 servicing — McGurk Performance Cars | |
| 10,000-mile service, V12 (1999–2016) menuSpark plugs on the V12 (2004–2016) parts menu are £1,200 including VAT. Front pads and discs are from £995. | £790 | including VAT | Independent Aston Martin servicing — Aston Workshop | |
| First annual service on the shared V12-era menuSytner publishes one menu for DB9, Vanquish (2012–2018), Virage (2012), Rapide, DBS (2007–2014) and V12 Vantage (2010–2018). The tenth service is £1,195 including VAT. | £975 | including VAT | Aston Martin fixed-price servicing — Sytner Aston Martin |
What to watch for
12 issues01Heat-soak related ignition and sensor complaints
Hot-start hesitation, rough running after a heat soak, or intermittent warnings that are difficult to reproduce when cold.
All V12 Vantage variants, especially low-use cars or cars driven hard then parked immediately.
Heat-soak related ignition and sensor complaints
Hot-start hesitation, rough running after a heat soak, or intermittent warnings that are difficult to reproduce when cold.
All V12 Vantage variants, especially low-use cars or cars driven hard then parked immediately.
- Driveability
- Do not keep driving hard if the car becomes rough or uncertain when hot. Repeated hot misfire risks secondary damage.
- DIY or specialist
- Specialist-led once basic battery checks are complete.
Early warning signs
- Hot restart feels slower than expected
- Idle quality changes after a spirited run
- Stored fault codes appear without a clear cold-running issue
Likely root causes
- Ageing ignition components
- Sensor drift made worse by engine bay heat
- Weak battery exaggerating hot-start load
Typical cost context
- A targeted sensor or ignition fix may stay in the medium band.
- Extended diagnosis and access-heavy parts replacement can push the total into high-cost territory.
Prevention
- Use a tender and keep the battery in strong condition.
- Allow proper cooldown and avoid repeated short heat cycles.
- Investigate hot-start changes early.
02Brake heat and fluid fade complaints
Longer pedal travel after hard use, steering vibration from overheated front brakes, or a pedal that no longer inspires confidence.
Most cars used hard on fast road or track sessions.
Brake heat and fluid fade complaints
Longer pedal travel after hard use, steering vibration from overheated front brakes, or a pedal that no longer inspires confidence.
Most cars used hard on fast road or track sessions.
- Driveability
- Stop driving hard immediately if the pedal goes long or the steering shakes under braking.
- DIY or specialist
- Inspection is owner-friendly. Corrective work is specialist territory if vibration, cracks, or uneven deposits are present.
Early warning signs
- Brake feel changes within one hard drive
- Pads smell overheated after a short spirited run
- A light shimmy develops under high-speed braking
Likely root causes
- Old brake fluid with reduced boiling margin
- Pads or discs near the end of useful life
- Repeated heavy stops on heavy, high-speed road use
Typical cost context
- Fresh fluid and inspection are moderate costs.
- Discs, pads, and any knock-on hub or suspension work move the bill firmly into high territory.
Prevention
- Change brake fluid on time, or earlier for spirited use.
- Do not store the car with heavily corroded disc surfaces after washing.
- Check pad thickness and disc condition before any track event.
03Battery and low-use charging complaints
Slow crank, intermittent warning messages, or strange electronic behaviour after storage.
All cars, particularly those used only occasionally.
Battery and low-use charging complaints
Slow crank, intermittent warning messages, or strange electronic behaviour after storage.
All cars, particularly those used only occasionally.
- Driveability
- Usually manageable, but do not ignore repeated low-voltage starts.
- DIY or specialist
- DIY-safe for testing, tender use, and battery planning. Garage support for charging issues.
Early warning signs
- Car needs a charger after short storage periods
- Startup voltage feels weak even though the battery is not very old
- Stored low-voltage faults accompany unrelated warnings
Likely root causes
- Battery nearing end of life
- Tender routine not matching how the car is used
- Charging system or earth connection weakness
Typical cost context
- Battery replacement and tender setup remain on the low side relative to other V12 Vantage jobs.
- Further charging system diagnosis adds labour but is still worth doing before faults stack up.
Prevention
- Store the car on a tender whenever practical.
- Replace tired batteries before cold weather.
- Check charging output during annual service.
04Tyre ageing and alignment drift
Nervous steering, traction interventions on damp roads, or a car that feels more agitated than it should.
All years, especially low-mileage examples sitting on old tyres.
Tyre ageing and alignment drift
Nervous steering, traction interventions on damp roads, or a car that feels more agitated than it should.
All years, especially low-mileage examples sitting on old tyres.
- Driveability
- Avoid pressing on if the car feels nervous or traction control is unusually active.
- DIY or specialist
- DIY-safe to inspect dates and pressures. Specialist alignment and chassis work recommended.
Early warning signs
- Tyres have strong tread but are date-expired or hard to the touch
- The steering follows cambers more than expected
- The car feels busy on straight roads despite correct pressures
Likely root causes
- Aged tyre compounds
- Alignment shifted by potholes or worn bushes
- Mixed tyre brands upsetting the chassis balance
Typical cost context
- Fresh premium tyres and alignment are a medium but worthwhile spend.
- Worn suspension parts underneath can push the job higher.
Prevention
- Treat tyre age as seriously as tyre tread.
- Avoid mixing mismatched performance tyres.
- Schedule alignment after any impact or suspension work.
05Seat heaters may not switch off
On the affected cars, the electronic control module for the driver and front passenger seat heaters may fail, so the heaters cannot be turned off.
Certain V12 Vantage cars within the 3 July 2006 to 5 November 2014 build window named in RA-01-0019. The V12 Vantage generation itself starts later than 2006.
Seat heaters may not switch off
On the affected cars, the electronic control module for the driver and front passenger seat heaters may fail, so the heaters cannot be turned off.
Certain V12 Vantage cars within the 3 July 2006 to 5 November 2014 build window named in RA-01-0019. The V12 Vantage generation itself starts later than 2006.
- Driveability
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- DIY or specialist
- Authorised dealer or specialist campaign repair. This is not an owner procedure.
Early warning signs
- A seat stays hot after the heater control is switched off
- A hot seat with no deliberate heater request
Likely root causes
- Failure of the seat-heater electronic control module, as described in recall RA-01-0019.
Typical cost context
- Where the published campaign applies, the remedy is described as free of charge. That does not cover a vehicle outside the VIN list, or other work found at the same visit.
Prevention
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- Keep any campaign paperwork with the service history.
Sources
- RA-01-0019: Seat Heaters may Overheat — NHTSA manufacturer recall report; checked 2026-10-27.
06Throttle pedal arm may break
Aston Martin recalled certain cars because a manufacturing error can allow the throttle pedal arm to break.
RA-03-0016 names V12 Vantage cars manufactured from 14 May 2012 to 10 April 2013. RA-03-0017 names 2011–2012 V12 Vantage cars. Confirm the VIN against the relevant record.
Throttle pedal arm may break
Aston Martin recalled certain cars because a manufacturing error can allow the throttle pedal arm to break.
RA-03-0016 names V12 Vantage cars manufactured from 14 May 2012 to 10 April 2013. RA-03-0017 names 2011–2012 V12 Vantage cars. Confirm the VIN against the relevant record.
- Driveability
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- DIY or specialist
- Authorised dealer or specialist campaign repair. This is not an owner procedure.
Early warning signs
- A change in pedal feel
- The pedal no longer returns normally
Likely root causes
- Incorrect material specification of the throttle pedal arm, as described in the named recall.
Typical cost context
- Where the published campaign applies, the remedy is described as free of charge. That does not cover a vehicle outside the VIN list, or other work found at the same visit.
Prevention
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- Keep any campaign paperwork with the service history.
Sources
- RA-03-0016: Throttle Pedal Lever - Incorrect Material Specification — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
- RA-03-0017: Throttle Pedal Lever - Incorrect Material Specification and Adjustment of the Footwell Scuff-Plate on Left Hand Steering Vehicles — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
07Double-locked doors may not open from inside
On the affected cars, the interior door unlocking mechanism may not work after the vehicle has been locked from the outside.
Certain 2011–2016 V12 Vantage cars, as named in RA-01-0021.
Double-locked doors may not open from inside
On the affected cars, the interior door unlocking mechanism may not work after the vehicle has been locked from the outside.
Certain 2011–2016 V12 Vantage cars, as named in RA-01-0021.
- Driveability
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- DIY or specialist
- Authorised dealer or specialist campaign repair. This is not an owner procedure.
Early warning signs
- A door that will not release from the inside after an exterior lock
- A double-lock function that does not match the expected behaviour
Likely root causes
- The interior unlocking mechanism may not function when the car was locked from outside, as described in recall RA-01-0021.
Typical cost context
- Where the published campaign applies, the remedy is described as free of charge. That does not cover a vehicle outside the VIN list, or other work found at the same visit.
Prevention
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- Keep any campaign paperwork with the service history.
Sources
- RA-01-0021: Double-Locked Doors cannot be Opened/FMVSS 206 — NHTSA manufacturer recall report; checked 2026-10-27.
08TPMS warning may illuminate too late
Recall RA-19-0015 covers certain 2010–2012 V12 Vantage Coupé cars in North America. The low tyre-pressure warning does not illuminate until the front tyres are more than 25 per cent below the recommended cold pressure, which does not meet the US tyre-pressure monitoring standard.
Certain 2010–2012 V12 Vantage Coupé cars. The record is marked North America only.
TPMS warning may illuminate too late
Recall RA-19-0015 covers certain 2010–2012 V12 Vantage Coupé cars in North America. The low tyre-pressure warning does not illuminate until the front tyres are more than 25 per cent below the recommended cold pressure, which does not meet the US tyre-pressure monitoring standard.
Certain 2010–2012 V12 Vantage Coupé cars. The record is marked North America only.
- Driveability
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- DIY or specialist
- Authorised dealer or specialist campaign repair. This is not an owner procedure.
Early warning signs
- A tyre-pressure warning that appears only after substantial pressure loss
- No warning at a pressure the driver expected to be flagged
Likely root causes
- An incorrect TPMS software configuration file, as described in RA-19-0015.
Typical cost context
- Where the published campaign applies, the remedy is described as free of charge. That does not cover a vehicle outside the VIN list, or other work found at the same visit.
Prevention
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- Keep any campaign paperwork with the service history.
Sources
- RA-19-0015: Incorrect Software Configuration File for the TPMS on V12 Vantage - North America Only — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
09Missing brake-pedal sensor link harness
Service action SA-06-0260 says a quantity of V12 Vantage S and GT12 cars left the factory without the brake-pedal sensor link harness. The fault can affect adaptive damping, stability control, traction control and the engine-control module, and can cause fault codes.
A quantity of V12 Vantage S and GT12 cars on the separately published VIN list.
Missing brake-pedal sensor link harness
Service action SA-06-0260 says a quantity of V12 Vantage S and GT12 cars left the factory without the brake-pedal sensor link harness. The fault can affect adaptive damping, stability control, traction control and the engine-control module, and can cause fault codes.
A quantity of V12 Vantage S and GT12 cars on the separately published VIN list.
- Driveability
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- DIY or specialist
- Authorised dealer or specialist campaign repair. This is not an owner procedure.
Early warning signs
- Warning lights for damping, stability or the engine
- Fault codes after no obvious workshop event
Likely root causes
- The brake-pedal sensor link harness was not installed.
Typical cost context
- SA-06-0260 is a service action for a stated quantity of cars. Ask the dealer whether the action is still open before paying for diagnosis.
Prevention
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- Keep any campaign paperwork with the service history.
Sources
- SA-06-0260: Install Brake Pedal Sensor Link Harness on V12 Vantage S and GT12 — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
10Clutch slave-cylinder fluid connections
Service action SA-08-0263 covers a small quantity of vehicles whose clutch slave-cylinder fluid connections may have been incorrectly tightened, allowing fluid to leak. The same action is archived for the V8 Vantage.
A small quantity of V12 Vantage cars on the separately published VIN list. Not a claim about every V12 Vantage.
Clutch slave-cylinder fluid connections
Service action SA-08-0263 covers a small quantity of vehicles whose clutch slave-cylinder fluid connections may have been incorrectly tightened, allowing fluid to leak. The same action is archived for the V8 Vantage.
A small quantity of V12 Vantage cars on the separately published VIN list. Not a claim about every V12 Vantage.
- Driveability
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- DIY or specialist
- Authorised dealer or specialist campaign repair. This is not an owner procedure.
Early warning signs
- Clutch fluid leak
- A change in clutch or transmission behaviour
Likely root causes
- Incorrectly tightened fluid connections on the clutch slave cylinder.
Typical cost context
- This is a service action for a small quantity of cars. Confirm whether the VIN is included before assuming a charge.
Prevention
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- Keep any campaign paperwork with the service history.
Sources
- SA-08-0263: Fluid Leakage from the Clutch Slave Cylinder — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
11V12 starter-solenoid electrical connections
Service action SA-18-0252 says two modifications are required to the starter-solenoid electrical connections on some V12-engined models. The archived summary does not describe the symptoms or the VIN list, which is on the dealer portal.
Some V12-engined cars, including the V12 Vantage, on the VIN list named in SA-18-0252.
V12 starter-solenoid electrical connections
Service action SA-18-0252 says two modifications are required to the starter-solenoid electrical connections on some V12-engined models. The archived summary does not describe the symptoms or the VIN list, which is on the dealer portal.
Some V12-engined cars, including the V12 Vantage, on the VIN list named in SA-18-0252.
- Driveability
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- DIY or specialist
- Authorised dealer or specialist campaign repair. This is not an owner procedure.
Early warning signs
- The archived public summary does not list a separate owner symptom beyond the document title and applicability note.
Likely root causes
- This card does not add a cause that the archived summary does not state.
Typical cost context
- No retail price is stated in the archived summary.
Prevention
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- Keep any campaign paperwork with the service history.
Sources
- SA-18-0252: Modification to the Electrical Connections on the V12 Starter Solenoid — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
12Cold six-speed manual shift quality
Service bulletin SB-07-0440 is a process for a customer who complains about six-speed manual shift quality when cold. It also covers the V8 Vantage. A complaint procedure is not evidence of how often the complaint occurs.
Six-speed manual V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage cars covered by SB-07-0440. The record does not add a year range.
Cold six-speed manual shift quality
Service bulletin SB-07-0440 is a process for a customer who complains about six-speed manual shift quality when cold. It also covers the V8 Vantage. A complaint procedure is not evidence of how often the complaint occurs.
Six-speed manual V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage cars covered by SB-07-0440. The record does not add a year range.
- Driveability
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- DIY or specialist
- Authorised dealer or specialist campaign repair. This is not an owner procedure.
Early warning signs
- A difficult or obstructive shift until the transmission is warm
Likely root causes
- The bulletin is a diagnostic process. It does not, in the archived summary, state a single root cause.
Typical cost context
- No price is stated. Diagnosis time is separate from a parts replacement.
Prevention
- Check the VIN with Aston Martin or an authorised dealer. A model link does not mean every car is included.
- Keep any campaign paperwork with the service history.
Sources
- SB-07-0440: Manual Transmission Shift Quality When Cold — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
No matching issues
Try a different symptom or severity.
Severity reflects potential impact, not fault frequency. Diagnosis and regional labour rates affect the final repair cost.
Sources and research
The sources below were checked on the dates shown. They support what this page says about the car. They do not show how often a fault occurs, or the condition of one particular vehicle. Where a build year, production total or service figure is still uncertain, confirm it against the factory record and the VIN.
- Aston Martin V8 and V12 servicing — McGurk Performance Cars. Checked .
- Independent Aston Martin servicing — Aston Workshop. Checked .
- Aston Martin fixed-price servicing — Sytner Aston Martin. Checked .
Frequently asked questions
Is the V12 Vantage fragile?
No, but it is unforgiving of heat-related neglect and old consumables. It needs better discipline than the average weekend car.
What should owners watch most closely?
Cooling, battery health, brakes, tyres, and any change in engine smoothness.
Are the prices on this page a quote?
No. They are menu figures from the named specialist or dealer page, retrieved on 27 October 2026, with VAT labelled only as that page states it. A workshop can change a figure, and any extra diagnosis or parts are extra.