Aston Martin · 2018-2023
Vantage V8
Known issues.
The 2018-generation Vantage is a modern and capable car, but it introduces AMG-platform electrical sensitivity and an oil-consumption habit that owners need to manage proactively. 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 Vantage V8
Ownership snapshot
The best Vantage V8 experiences come from cars that are used regularly, kept on a tender when parked, and monitored for oil level between services. Letting battery voltage drop or ignoring the oil level turns small habits into larger bills.
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 4.0 V8, 2018–2025Air filters £104 + VAT and pollen filter £112 + VAT. Differential and gearbox oil are POA. | £470 + VAT | excluding VAT | Aston Martin V8 and V12 servicing — McGurk Performance Cars | |
| Sixth service, DB11 V8 and Vantage (2019) menuServices one to five are FREE. The seventh is £730 and the eighth is £855. | £1,445 | including VAT | Aston Martin fixed-price servicing — Sytner Aston Martin | |
| Year 7 / 10,000-mile service, V8 (2018–present)Year 6 / 20,000 miles is £875. Spark plugs £680, automatic gearbox service £358 and manual gearbox service £440. | £565 | including VAT | Independent Aston Martin servicing — Aston Workshop |
What to watch for
13 issues01Battery drain and low-voltage fault patterns
Slow cranking, warning messages, odd module behaviour, or a car that fails to start after a short period parked.
All 2018-2023 Vantage V8 variants, especially on examples used infrequently.
Battery drain and low-voltage fault patterns
Slow cranking, warning messages, odd module behaviour, or a car that fails to start after a short period parked.
All 2018-2023 Vantage V8 variants, especially on examples used infrequently.
- Driveability
- Usually safe to drive once the battery is confirmed healthy, but repeated low-voltage starts accumulate fault noise.
- DIY or specialist
- Tender setup and basic voltage checks are owner-appropriate. Battery replacement may require coding support.
Early warning signs
- Cranking feels slower than normal after a few days parked
- Random warning messages that clear themselves after driving
- Central locking or infotainment behaves erratically
Likely root causes
- AMG-derived electronics create a relatively high standing draw
- Short-trip use never fully replenishes the battery
- Battery near end of service life
Typical cost context
- Battery replacement is usually a low-to-medium job but may need coding steps specific to the platform.
- Parasitic-drain diagnosis rises in cost if a specialist trace is required.
Prevention
- Keep the car on a quality tender whenever it is parked for more than a few days.
- Check battery voltage as a routine rather than only when symptoms appear.
- Replace batteries on age, not only after a failure event.
02ZF gearbox hesitation in low-speed driving
Jerky or hesitant pull-away in traffic, particularly in auto mode at low speeds or when reversing slowly.
Primarily early 2018-2019 production cars before software calibration matured.
ZF gearbox hesitation in low-speed driving
Jerky or hesitant pull-away in traffic, particularly in auto mode at low speeds or when reversing slowly.
Primarily early 2018-2019 production cars before software calibration matured.
- Driveability
- The car remains safe to drive. The symptom is a comfort and refinement complaint rather than a reliability failure.
- DIY or specialist
- Not a DIY task. Requires a specialist with the correct diagnostic and programming tools.
Early warning signs
- The car lurches or hunts slightly in very slow traffic
- Gear selection feels unsettled at low throttle openings
- The issue improves noticeably at higher speeds or with a recent software update
Likely root causes
- Early ZF transmission calibration was conservative and attracted criticism
- Software updates significantly improved the behaviour for most cars
- Residual hesitation may indicate an update has not been applied
Typical cost context
- A software update is a dealer or specialist diagnostic session, usually low cost.
- If the transmission itself needs attention, costs rise substantially.
Prevention
- Ensure all available transmission software updates are applied.
- Check the software version history when buying a used example.
- Report persistent hesitation to a specialist rather than assuming it is normal.
03Oil consumption on the AMG M177 V8
Oil level drops noticeably between services, particularly on cars used spiritedly or on track.
All 2018-2023 Vantage V8 variants using the 4.0-litre AMG M177 engine.
Oil consumption on the AMG M177 V8
Oil level drops noticeably between services, particularly on cars used spiritedly or on track.
All 2018-2023 Vantage V8 variants using the 4.0-litre AMG M177 engine.
- Driveability
- The car remains driveable but should not be driven with the oil level below the minimum mark.
- DIY or specialist
- Checking and topping up oil is an owner-appropriate task. Persistent excessive consumption needs specialist diagnosis.
Early warning signs
- Oil level visibly drops within a few thousand miles of a service
- A slight blue tinge in the exhaust on a cold start that clears quickly
- The car smells faintly of hot oil under the bonnet after spirited use
Likely root causes
- The AMG M177 is known to consume some oil as a characteristic of the design
- Spirited driving and track use accelerate consumption significantly
- Oil left too low can cause secondary engine wear
Typical cost context
- Top-ups between services are a minor cost if managed proactively.
- Damage from running the engine consistently low on oil is a major cost.
Prevention
- Check the oil level every 1,000 miles or monthly, whichever comes first.
- Top up promptly and use only the approved oil specification.
- Investigate any step change in consumption that was not present before.
04Mercedes COMAND infotainment — slow response and dated experience
Laggy menu navigation, slow map rendering, limited smartphone integration, and a general sense the system lags the car's performance and price.
All 2018-2023 Vantage V8 variants fitted with the Mercedes COMAND system.
Mercedes COMAND infotainment — slow response and dated experience
Laggy menu navigation, slow map rendering, limited smartphone integration, and a general sense the system lags the car's performance and price.
All 2018-2023 Vantage V8 variants fitted with the Mercedes COMAND system.
- Driveability
- No effect on driveability whatsoever.
- DIY or specialist
- Not relevant — this is a comfort and usability complaint, not a maintenance item.
Early warning signs
- Screen response time noticeably slow compared with modern systems
- Sat-nav maps feel dated or update slowly
- Bluetooth connectivity requires repeated pairing
Likely root causes
- The COMAND system was borrowed from the AMG GT and was already dated at launch
- Hardware limitations mean software updates have limited effect on underlying speed
- No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay in standard specification
Typical cost context
- Aftermarket CarPlay adaptors are available at modest cost and are popular with owners.
- Full system replacement is very high cost and usually not worthwhile.
Prevention
- Accept the limitation as part of the car's character before buying.
- Consider an approved or popular aftermarket CarPlay solution if connectivity matters.
- Keep the system software updated through the dealer where updates are available.
05Front seat airbag fasteners
Recall RA-01-1418 covers certain 2017 DB11, 2019 DB11 V8 Volante and DBS Superleggera, 2019–2020 Vantage and 2020 Superleggera Volante vehicles. The front seat airbag fasteners may not have been tightened correctly. The DVSA page for the matching model year lists R/2020/280, launched 12 October 2020, for front seat airbag fixings, with 20 affected vehicles. This card does not treat those two numbers as proven to be the same document.
The cars named in the RA-01-1418 summary. Confirm the VIN. The UK count of 20 vehicles is the figure printed on the DVSA model-year page.
Front seat airbag fasteners
Recall RA-01-1418 covers certain 2017 DB11, 2019 DB11 V8 Volante and DBS Superleggera, 2019–2020 Vantage and 2020 Superleggera Volante vehicles. The front seat airbag fasteners may not have been tightened correctly. The DVSA page for the matching model year lists R/2020/280, launched 12 October 2020, for front seat airbag fixings, with 20 affected vehicles. This card does not treat those two numbers as proven to be the same document.
The cars named in the RA-01-1418 summary. Confirm the VIN. The UK count of 20 vehicles is the figure printed on the DVSA model-year page.
- 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
- An airbag or SRS warning
- A seat airbag repair already recorded, or missing, in the history
Likely root causes
- Front seat airbag fasteners that may not have been tightened correctly.
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-01-1418: Incorrect Installation of the Front Seat Airbags — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
- ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE 2019 recalls — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency; checked 2026-10-27.
06Passenger airbag locking nuts
Recall RA-01-1327 covers certain 2018–2019 DB11 Coupé and Volante cars and 2019 Vantage and DBS Superleggera Coupé cars. The locking-nut fasteners on the passenger airbag may not be tightened properly.
The variants and model years named in the RA-01-1327 summary. This is a different record from DVSA R/2019/396.
Passenger airbag locking nuts
Recall RA-01-1327 covers certain 2018–2019 DB11 Coupé and Volante cars and 2019 Vantage and DBS Superleggera Coupé cars. The locking-nut fasteners on the passenger airbag may not be tightened properly.
The variants and model years named in the RA-01-1327 summary. This is a different record from DVSA R/2019/396.
- 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
- An airbag or SRS warning
- No owner-visible clue is guaranteed by the recall text
Likely root causes
- Passenger airbag locking nuts that may not have been tightened properly.
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-01-1327: Incorrect Installation of the Passenger Airbag — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
07Passenger airbag fastener torque
DVSA safety recall R/2019/396, launched on 19 November 2019, says the passenger airbag fixings may not have been tightened to the correct torque. The DVSA pages for DB11 2018, DBS 2019 and Vantage 2019 each show 15 affected vehicles; that is the campaign total repeated on each model-year page, not three separate populations. A recall index gives the manufacturer reference as RA-01-1377. The DVSA pages themselves print R/2019/396 and do not print RA-01-1377. This record is not in the on-site bulletin archive, so there is no archived PDF to cross-link.
DVSA lists the recall against DB11 2018, DBS 2019 and Vantage 2019. The 2019 DBS page is the later DBS, not the 2007–2012 DBS. A secondary index gives build dates of 6 November 2017 to 18 February 2019 and repeats one count of 15 vehicles across DB11, DBS and Vantage.
Passenger airbag fastener torque
DVSA safety recall R/2019/396, launched on 19 November 2019, says the passenger airbag fixings may not have been tightened to the correct torque. The DVSA pages for DB11 2018, DBS 2019 and Vantage 2019 each show 15 affected vehicles; that is the campaign total repeated on each model-year page, not three separate populations. A recall index gives the manufacturer reference as RA-01-1377. The DVSA pages themselves print R/2019/396 and do not print RA-01-1377. This record is not in the on-site bulletin archive, so there is no archived PDF to cross-link.
DVSA lists the recall against DB11 2018, DBS 2019 and Vantage 2019. The 2019 DBS page is the later DBS, not the 2007–2012 DBS. A secondary index gives build dates of 6 November 2017 to 18 February 2019 and repeats one count of 15 vehicles across DB11, DBS and Vantage.
- Driveability
- Contact an Aston Martin dealer with the VIN and quote DVSA R/2019/396. The DVSA page says the owner should not have to pay for the recall repair.
- DIY or specialist
- Authorised dealer or specialist campaign repair. This is not an owner procedure.
Early warning signs
- An airbag or SRS warning, if one is present
- No obvious warning is promised by the recall text
Likely root causes
- Passenger airbag fixings that may not have been tightened to the correct torque.
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
- ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE 2019 recalls — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency; checked 2026-10-27.
- Aston Martin recall R/2019/396 — Vehicle Recall; checked 2026-10-27.
- Used Aston Martin DB11 (2016-2023) buyer's guide — Auto Express; checked 2026-10-27.
08Rotary master light switch can loosen
SB-18-1713 documents a reinforcing-bracket repair for a loose, damaged or detached rotary master light switch. The archive applies the bulletin to the 2018–2023 Vantage as well as DB11 and DBS Superleggera. The long-form article is on the DB11 page. The record does not establish that the 2024-on Vantage is included.
2018–2023 Vantage cars using the rotary switch described in SB-18-1713. No VIN range is established by this record.
Rotary master light switch can loosen
SB-18-1713 documents a reinforcing-bracket repair for a loose, damaged or detached rotary master light switch. The archive applies the bulletin to the 2018–2023 Vantage as well as DB11 and DBS Superleggera. The long-form article is on the DB11 page. The record does not establish that the 2024-on Vantage is included.
2018–2023 Vantage cars using the rotary switch described in SB-18-1713. No VIN range is established by this record.
- Driveability
- Do not continue if the exterior lights cannot be operated or the switch is separating.
- DIY or specialist
- Authorised dealer or specialist campaign repair. This is not an owner procedure.
Early warning signs
- A loose rotary headlight selector
- A fog-light control that moves or detaches
Likely root causes
- Damage to the rotary switch or its plastic mounting points. The bulletin does not name one underlying cause.
Typical cost context
- The bulletin states about 0.25 hours of factory labour for the bracket repair and does not state a retail total.
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-18-1713: Rotary Light Switch Repair Process — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
09Brake squeal on cast-iron discs
SB-06-1117V6 is a brake-squeal bulletin for DB11 and Vantage cars with cast-iron discs. The archived summary does not describe the repair.
Vantage cars with cast-iron brake discs named in the factory model field.
Brake squeal on cast-iron discs
SB-06-1117V6 is a brake-squeal bulletin for DB11 and Vantage cars with cast-iron discs. The archived summary does not describe the repair.
Vantage cars with cast-iron brake discs named in the factory model field.
- 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
- Brake squeal
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-06-1117V6: Brake Squeal — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
10Active differential wiring loom
Service bulletin SB-07-1473 is an active-differential wiring-loom inspection. The factory model field names Vantage 2021 model year. The archived summary does not describe the fault.
2021 model year Vantage, as named in the factory model field. Confirm the VIN.
Active differential wiring loom
Service bulletin SB-07-1473 is an active-differential wiring-loom inspection. The factory model field names Vantage 2021 model year. The archived summary does not describe the fault.
2021 model year Vantage, as named in the factory model field. Confirm the VIN.
- 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. An inspection is not a price for a differential.
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-07-1473: Active Differential Wiring Loom Inspection — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
11Door glass seal can push out
Service bulletin SB-01-1132 says the door glass seal can be pushed out of place. Applicability in the record is all 2019 model year Vantage vehicles up to chassis number N00647.
2019 model year Vantage cars up to chassis N00647.
Door glass seal can push out
Service bulletin SB-01-1132 says the door glass seal can be pushed out of place. Applicability in the record is all 2019 model year Vantage vehicles up to chassis number N00647.
2019 model year Vantage cars up to chassis N00647.
- 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-glass seal that stands proud or comes out of its channel
Likely root causes
- The bulletin states that the seal can be pushed out. It does not, in the archived summary, give a further mechanism.
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-01-1132: Door glass seal push out — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
12Manual gear-selector improvements on Vantage AMR
Service bulletin SB-07-1376 is titled Improvements to the manual gear selector. The factory model field names Vantage AMR. The archived summary does not describe the complaint.
Vantage AMR, as named in the factory model field.
Manual gear-selector improvements on Vantage AMR
Service bulletin SB-07-1376 is titled Improvements to the manual gear selector. The factory model field names Vantage AMR. The archived summary does not describe the complaint.
Vantage AMR, as named in the factory model field.
- 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-07-1376: Improvements to the Manual Gear Selector — Aston Martin; checked 2026-10-27.
13Clutch-pipe support-bracket clips
Quarantine notice QN-08-1531 says to check and, if necessary, install support-bracket clips for the clutch pipe. The factory model field names Vantage. The archived summary does not describe a leak rate.
Vantage cars on the separately published VIN list. The record does not say the 2024-on Vantage is included.
Clutch-pipe support-bracket clips
Quarantine notice QN-08-1531 says to check and, if necessary, install support-bracket clips for the clutch pipe. The factory model field names Vantage. The archived summary does not describe a leak rate.
Vantage cars on the separately published VIN list. The record does not say the 2024-on Vantage is included.
- 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
- QN-08-1531: Check and Install Support Bracket Clips for the Clutch Pipe — 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 .
- Aston Martin fixed-price servicing — Sytner Aston Martin. Checked .
- Independent Aston Martin servicing — Aston Workshop. Checked .
- ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE 2019 recalls — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Checked .
Frequently asked questions
Are Vantage V8 issues mainly electronics or mechanical?
Both. The AMG-sourced platform brings some electronics sensitivity, while the M177 engine has a known oil-consumption characteristic that is mechanical in origin.
Is the ZF gearbox a reliability concern on the Vantage V8?
Not generally. Early hesitation in low-speed driving was a calibration issue resolved by software updates, not a mechanical defect.
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.