Aston Martin · 2012-2018
Vanquish
Known issues.
The second-generation Vanquish is generally robust when used and maintained properly, but it carries the familiar Aston warnings around low voltage, consumables, and age-related chassis wear. 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 Vanquish
Ownership snapshot
Because many Vanquish cars are cherished, low use can create almost as many problems as hard use. The sweet spot is careful, regular exercise with a strong maintenance file behind it.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First annual service, Vanquish (2012–2018) on the shared menuThe tenth service is £1,195 including VAT. McGurk’s retrieved V8/V12 table has no separate 2012–2018 Vanquish annual-service row. | £975 | including VAT | Aston Martin fixed-price servicing — Sytner Aston Martin | |
| 10,000-mile service, V12 (1999–2016) menuAston Workshop’s separate Vanquish (2001–2007) prices are for the earlier car and are not used here. This V12 menu is the closest published row that can overlap a 2012–2016 car, and it is not labelled Vanquish. | £790 | including VAT | Independent Aston Martin servicing — Aston Workshop |
What to watch for
11 issues01Battery sensitivity and wake-up faults
Slow starts, warning messages at startup, or inconsistent comfort-system behaviour.
All years, especially low-use examples.
Battery sensitivity and wake-up faults
Slow starts, warning messages at startup, or inconsistent comfort-system behaviour.
All years, especially low-use examples.
- Driveability
- Usually manageable, but do not keep chasing random faults until voltage is confirmed healthy.
- DIY or specialist
- DIY-safe for battery testing and tender use.
Early warning signs
- The car behaves better after a long drive than after standing
- Voltage-related warnings appear on cold mornings
- Battery history is vague or undocumented
Likely root causes
- Battery aging
- Insufficient tender use
- Repeated short-start cycles
Typical cost context
- Battery replacement is relatively minor.
- Allowing low voltage to trigger repeated warnings creates a more time-consuming diagnostic path.
Prevention
- Treat the tender as standard equipment.
- Replace aging batteries before failure.
- Scan the car if warning patterns begin to stack.
02Brake judder and consumable bills
Pulsing under braking, steering shake, or simply very short consumable life if the car is used enthusiastically.
All variants, especially cars driven hard or stored after being washed with wet brakes.
Brake judder and consumable bills
Pulsing under braking, steering shake, or simply very short consumable life if the car is used enthusiastically.
All variants, especially cars driven hard or stored after being washed with wet brakes.
- Driveability
- Do not keep using the car hard if judder is increasing.
- DIY or specialist
- Inspection only unless you are already experienced with performance brake work.
Early warning signs
- A small pulse is present before a full shake develops
- Pad thickness drops faster than expected
- Disc surfaces show pronounced corrosion or uneven colour
Likely root causes
- Uneven pad deposits or heat load
- Aged fluid
- Heavy car, high speed, and infrequent but intense use
Typical cost context
- Inspection is minor.
- Axle sets of premium pads and discs are a high-cost ownership item.
Prevention
- Inspect brakes well before long trips.
- Keep fluid fresh.
- Avoid leaving the car parked for long periods with heavily corroded disc faces.
03Rear-end clunks from driveline or suspension wear
A noticeable thunk when taking up drive or a low-speed rear knock over broken surfaces.
More common on older cars or those with original bushes and mounts.
Rear-end clunks from driveline or suspension wear
A noticeable thunk when taking up drive or a low-speed rear knock over broken surfaces.
More common on older cars or those with original bushes and mounts.
- Driveability
- Usually driveable, but a worsening clunk should be diagnosed before it affects tyre wear and confidence.
- DIY or specialist
- Inspection is safe; repair and geometry work should be specialist-led.
Early warning signs
- A faint clunk is audible before it becomes obvious
- The rear axle feels less composed over quick surface changes
- Tyre age and bush age are both unknown
Likely root causes
- Driveline mount wear
- Suspension bush deterioration
- Alignment and tyre issues making the rear axle feel worse
Typical cost context
- Selective bushing or mount work may be moderate.
- A wider rear axle refresh becomes more expensive once several parts are due together.
Prevention
- Inspect bushes and mounts annually.
- Replace old tyres even if tread is present.
- Do not dismiss a driveline knock as normal halo-car behaviour.
04Cooling and hot-running complaints
Temperature rise in traffic, fan overactivity, or signs of coolant smell after a hot run.
All years as components age.
Cooling and hot-running complaints
Temperature rise in traffic, fan overactivity, or signs of coolant smell after a hot run.
All years as components age.
- Driveability
- Stop driving if temperature climbs abnormally or coolant loss is apparent.
- DIY or specialist
- Inspection only.
Early warning signs
- Coolant level changes between checks
- Traffic driving makes the gauge more active than expected
- Restart quality changes after a hot stop
Likely root causes
- Cooling component wear
- Ageing hoses or seals
- Neglected coolant service
Typical cost context
- Preventative cooling work is sensible and usually cheaper than waiting.
- Any overheating event is potentially a major bill.
Prevention
- Monitor coolant level and smell closely.
- Refresh ageing components before failure.
- Avoid delaying investigation just because the issue only appears in traffic.
05Double-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 2014–2016 Vanquish cars, as named in RA-01-0021. This page is the 2012–2018 Vanquish.
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 2014–2016 Vanquish cars, as named in RA-01-0021. This page is the 2012–2018 Vanquish.
- 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.
06Touchtronic II park pawl may not engage
Recall RA-07-0028 names certain 2014 Vanquish cars with the six-speed Touchtronic II automatic. A communication error between the engine and transmission modules can leave the park pawl disengaged.
Certain 2014 Vanquish cars with six-speed Touchtronic II.
Touchtronic II park pawl may not engage
Recall RA-07-0028 names certain 2014 Vanquish cars with the six-speed Touchtronic II automatic. A communication error between the engine and transmission modules can leave the park pawl disengaged.
Certain 2014 Vanquish cars with six-speed Touchtronic II.
- Driveability
- Do not rely on Park until the VIN has been checked against the campaign.
- DIY or specialist
- Authorised dealer or specialist campaign repair. This is not an owner procedure.
Early warning signs
- The car can move when Park is selected
Likely root causes
- A communication error between the engine control module and the transmission control module.
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-07-0028: 6-Speed Touchtronic II Automatic Transmission Park Lock Problem — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
07Deployable spoiler wear on Zagato Volante and Speedster
Service bulletin SB-01-1094 requires an annual wear inspection of the deployable spoiler. The factory model field names Vanquish Zagato Volante and Speedster, not every 2012–2018 Vanquish.
Vanquish Zagato Volante and Speedster, as named in SB-01-1094.
Deployable spoiler wear on Zagato Volante and Speedster
Service bulletin SB-01-1094 requires an annual wear inspection of the deployable spoiler. The factory model field names Vanquish Zagato Volante and Speedster, not every 2012–2018 Vanquish.
Vanquish Zagato Volante and Speedster, as named in SB-01-1094.
- 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
- Wear at the deployable spoiler
- The bulletin calls for an annual inspection rather than listing a sudden failure
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. The bulletin calls for an annual inspection.
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-01-1094: Deployable spoiler wear — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
08Power-assisted steering hose isolators
Service action SA-11-0246 says certain Vanquish and Rapide S cars were built with damaged isolators for the power-assisted steering hose.
Certain Vanquish cars on the separately published VIN list. The record also names Rapide S.
Power-assisted steering hose isolators
Service action SA-11-0246 says certain Vanquish and Rapide S cars were built with damaged isolators for the power-assisted steering hose.
Certain Vanquish cars on the separately published VIN list. The record also names Rapide S.
- 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 summary does not list a noise or a leak. It states that isolators were damaged.
Likely root causes
- Damaged isolators for the power-assisted steering hose.
Typical cost context
- No retail price is stated.
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-11-0246: Failure of the Isolators for the Power Assisted Steering Hose — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
09Fuel tank difficult to fill
SB-10-0409V2 records a fuel-filling problem. The factory header names Vanquish Volante together with DB9, DBS and Virage. It does not say every Vanquish coupé is included.
Vanquish Volante, as named in the factory header.
Fuel tank difficult to fill
SB-10-0409V2 records a fuel-filling problem. The factory header names Vanquish Volante together with DB9, DBS and Virage. It does not say every Vanquish coupé is included.
Vanquish Volante, as named in the factory header.
- 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.
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-10-0409V2: Fuel Filling Problem — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
10Incorrect differential oil level from production
QN-07-0016 says an incorrect quantity of differential oil was installed in production on Vanquish and DB9 2014 model year cars with automatic transmission.
2014 model year automatic Vanquish cars named in QN-07-0016.
Incorrect differential oil level from production
QN-07-0016 says an incorrect quantity of differential oil was installed in production on Vanquish and DB9 2014 model year cars with automatic transmission.
2014 model year automatic Vanquish cars named in QN-07-0016.
- 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 notice does not list an owner symptom beyond the incorrect oil quantity.
Likely root causes
- The wrong quantity of differential oil was installed in production.
Typical cost context
- No retail price is stated for this production check.
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
- QN-07-0016: Incorrect Oil Level for the Differential — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
11V12 starter-solenoid electrical connections
SA-18-0252 requires two modifications to the starter-solenoid electrical connections on some V12-engined models, including Vanquish cars in the archive. The public summary does not describe the symptoms.
Some V12 Vanquish cars on the VIN list named in SA-18-0252.
V12 starter-solenoid electrical connections
SA-18-0252 requires two modifications to the starter-solenoid electrical connections on some V12-engined models, including Vanquish cars in the archive. The public summary does not describe the symptoms.
Some V12 Vanquish cars 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.
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.
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 fixed-price servicing — Sytner Aston Martin. Checked .
- Independent Aston Martin servicing — Aston Workshop. Checked .
Frequently asked questions
Is the Vanquish mostly about cosmetic upkeep?
Cosmetic upkeep matters because parts are expensive, but the real ownership foundation is still battery health, brakes, tyres, cooling, and suspension condition.
Should buyers be wary of a Vanquish that has barely been driven?
Yes. Static ownership can hide exactly the kind of low-voltage, seal, and consumable ageing problems that later become frustrating.
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.