Consolidated Technical Incident Report: Analysis of Consumer Complaints for Aston Martin Vehicles
1.0 Introduction
This document provides a formal, objective analysis of consumer-reported incidents across various Aston Martin models. The purpose of this report is to identify, categorize, and evaluate recurring safety and quality issues that may indicate systemic problems requiring further investigation by engineering and quality assurance teams. The methodology involves synthesizing and categorizing complaints from a provided dataset of consumer reports to highlight patterns of failure. This analysis begins with a high-level overview of thematic issues observed across multiple vehicle platforms before delving into a model-specific breakdown of all reported incidents.
Get complete access to this detailed incident analysis
Get complete access to this detailed incident analysis
Get complete access to this detailed incident analysis
This document provides a formal, objective analysis of consumer-reported incidents across various Aston Martin models. The purpose of this report is to identify, categorize, and evaluate recurring safety and quality issues that may indicate systemic problems requiring further investigation by engineering and quality assurance teams. The methodology involves synthesizing and categorizing complaints from a provided dataset of consumer reports to highlight patterns of failure. This analysis begins with a high-level overview of thematic issues observed across multiple vehicle platforms before delving into a model-specific breakdown of all reported incidents.
2.0 Key Cross-Model Failure Themes
Analyzing recurring failure themes across different models is a critical diagnostic step. This approach helps distinguish between isolated, vehicle-specific incidents and potential systemic weaknesses in design, manufacturing, or component selection that may affect the broader Aston Martin vehicle lineup. The following sections detail the most prominent cross-model issues identified in the consumer complaint data.
2.1 Systemic Exterior Lighting Failures due to Moisture Ingress
The most frequently reported cross-model issue in the dataset is the failure of exterior lighting assemblies due to water and moisture ingress. This problem is documented across the DB9, V12 Vantage S, V8 Vantage, and V8 Vantage S models. Consumer complaints consistently describe condensation and fogging inside both headlight and taillight units, which owners attribute to a fundamental design or manufacturing flaw. One complainant described the issue as a "well known problem due to bad design and build," while another stated that the tendency for condensation in headlight and taillight units is "notorious." The reported consequences of this moisture ingress are severe, ranging from intermittent light function and poor road illumination to LED short circuits and the complete failure of critical safety systems like brake and tail lamps. This pattern strongly suggests a systemic vulnerability in the sealing or ventilation of lighting components across multiple vehicle platforms.
2.2 Critical Electrical System Malfunctions and Power Loss
A second significant theme is the occurrence of critical electrical system failures resulting in a sudden and complete loss of vehicle function. These incidents manifest in several dangerous ways, including a V8 Vantage S reportedly losing all power and stalling while driving at freeway speeds. Other reports detail an engine stall at low speeds in a DB9 with an inability to restart, and a separate incident in another DB9 where the ignition chamber allegedly ejected the key, shutting off the car. A particularly concerning report for the V8 Vantage model identifies a specific convertible roof module (part number 6G33-13B524-CH) whose failure is claimed to cause cascading malfunctions across multiple critical electronic systems. The safety implications of these power-related failures are significant, as they can leave a vehicle disabled in a hazardous position without warning.
2.3 Uncommanded and Unexpected Vehicle Behavior
The most severe safety incidents reported involve vehicles allegedly acting without driver input. These high-risk complaints describe several types of uncommanded behavior. One report for a V8 Vantage claims the vehicle started independently, engaged a gear, and collided with property. Multiple instances of vehicles rolling away while parked were also documented, including a DB9 that began rolling down a driveway and a V8 Vantage where the parking brake allegedly released independently. Furthermore, drivers of both a V12 Vantage Coupe and a V8 Vantage S reported their vehicles suddenly shifting to neutral while in motion, causing the car to stop unexpectedly. Potential root causes noted in the reports include possible hydraulic clutch fluid leaks and ruptured transmission hoses, pointing to potential mechanical or hydraulic failures that can lead to a dangerous loss of vehicle control. This overview of high-level failure themes provides the context for the detailed model-by-model incident breakdown that follows.
3.0 Detailed Incident Analysis by Model
This section provides a granular, model-specific breakdown of all reported incidents from the source data. This detailed view allows for a focused investigation into issues that may be unique to certain vehicle platforms, production years, or specific component configurations.
3.1 Aston Martin DB9
Complaint ID Affected System Complaint Summary
1140674 Electrical System The car stalled at low speed and would not restart for several minutes; owner reports this is the second occurrence.
1756488 Electrical System Both rear taillight covers are fogging and holding moisture, causing the right brake light to fail intermittently.
1798536 Electrical System Both headlights failed; issue is not with the bulbs.
1888077 Electrical System The ignition key chamber has ejected the key and shut the car off on two occasions.
1888078 Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft The ignition key chamber has ejected the key and shut the car off on two occasions.
665918 Engine and Engine Cooling:Exhaust System Owner statement documenting the purchase of the vehicle.
699579 Engine and Engine Cooling:Exhaust System A strong smell of fumes is present during acceleration, which the dealer attributes to the clutch.
1756487 Exterior Lighting Both rear taillight covers are fogging and holding moisture, causing the right brake light to fail intermittently.
1798537 Exterior Lighting Both headlights failed; issue is not with the bulbs.
699580 Fuel System, Gasoline A strong smell of fumes is present during acceleration, which the dealer attributes to the clutch.
1140673 Fuel System, Gasoline The car stalled at low speed and would not restart for several minutes; owner reports this is the second occurrence.
788245 Parking Brake The vehicle began rolling down a driveway while parked.
893119 Visibility:Windshield An intermittent rattle near the driver's side mirror could not be remedied by the dealer after multiple visits.
3.2 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Coupe
Complaint ID Affected System Complaint Summary
1757403 Engine A possible hydraulic clutch fluid leak may be causing the transmission to shift to neutral, bringing the vehicle to a stop while driven.
3.3 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S
Complaint ID Affected System Complaint Summary
1577926 Exterior Lighting The owner reports a history of condensation in taillights and headlights across multiple Vantage models, including a new 2017 V12S Vantage where both rear taillights have condensation.
3.4 Aston Martin V8 Vantage (per complaint text)
Complaint ID Affected System Complaint Summary
2055101 Air Bags A failure of the convertible roof module (part # 6G33-13B524-CH) is reported to cause failures across most of the vehicle's electronic systems.
2055103 Electrical System A failure of the convertible roof module (part # 6G33-13B524-CH) is reported to cause failures across most of the vehicle's electronic systems.
2055102 Service Brakes A failure of the convertible roof module (part # 6G33-13B524-CH) is reported to cause failures across most of the vehicle's electronic systems.
3.5 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Complaint ID Affected System Complaint Summary
1759648 Electrical System Brake and taillamp failure occurred due to condensation in the lens housing, which shorted the internal LED lamps.
1577919 Exterior Lighting Severe condensation in factory headlights causes poor road illumination.
1578138 Exterior Lighting The control circuit board inside the left headlight failed, disabling the turn signal. The board is not available as a separate part.
1581610 Exterior Lighting Water condensation inside brake lights caused LEDs to short out, creating a collision risk.
1697785 Exterior Lighting Taillights leak and collect water, causing them to fail and rendering them inoperable.
1698480 Exterior Lighting Owner states that condensation in headlights and taillights is a "notorious" and "well known problem due to bad design and build."
1819152 Exterior Lighting Taillights allow water ingress, causing them to malfunction; owner states this is a common, known issue.
1924206 Exterior Lighting The vehicle allegedly started itself, went into gear, and drove into the garage. (Note: This uncommanded movement incident was filed by the consumer under Exterior Lighting)
1966951 Exterior Lighting Owner claims all Vantages and DB9s (2005-2017) have leaky taillights and that the replacement parts are also defective.
1986810 Power Train Ruptured hydraulic hoses on the Sportshift 2 transmission spilled fluid, creating a risk of transmission lockup or loss of traction.
2054891 Power Train While on a battery refresher, the vehicle allegedly started independently and the parking brake released, causing it to roll away.
1924205 Structure:Body The vehicle allegedly started itself, went into gear, and drove into the garage.
1924207 Suspension The vehicle allegedly started itself, went into gear, and drove into the garage.
1051938 Vehicle Speed Control Complaint about the unavailability of parts for recall 14V010000, not a report of a new vehicle failure.
3.6 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S
Complaint ID Affected System Complaint Summary
1488092 Air Bags The car suddenly shifted into neutral and lost all power while moving on the freeway, requiring it to be pushed off the road.
1488093 Electrical System The car suddenly shifted into neutral and lost all power while moving on the freeway, requiring it to be pushed off the road.
1459851 Engine The vehicle abruptly stopped on the freeway during the first week of ownership.
1527698 Engine The car abruptly stopped on the freeway and was subsequently hit by another vehicle.
1557472 Engine The vehicle came to an abrupt stop on the freeway on the second day of the lease.
1691467 Exterior Lighting Condensation is building up in the rear taillight, which could cause electrical failure.
1459852 Power Train The vehicle abruptly stopped on the freeway during the first week of ownership.
1459850 Service Brakes The vehicle abruptly stopped on the freeway during the first week of ownership.
1557471 Structure:Body The vehicle came to an abrupt stop on the freeway on the second day of the lease.
1527700 Unknown or Other The car abruptly stopped on the freeway and was subsequently hit by another vehicle.
1488094 Vehicle Speed Control The car suddenly shifted into neutral and lost all power while moving on the freeway, requiring it to be pushed off the road.
1527699 Vehicle Speed Control The car abruptly stopped on the freeway and was subsequently hit by another vehicle.
1557473 Vehicle Speed Control The vehicle came to an abrupt stop on the freeway on the second day of the lease.
3.7 Aston Martin Vantage
Complaint ID Affected System Complaint Summary
555502 Engine and Engine Cooling:Exhaust System Report of exhaust and engine fumes entering the vehicle cabin.
1329272 Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the hood release sensor indicator illuminated.
This detailed breakdown of incidents provides a foundation for targeted investigation into model-specific failure modes, complementing the broader thematic analysis.
4.0 Summary of Key Findings
This report has consolidated and analyzed consumer complaints to identify recurring quality and safety issues across the Aston Martin product line. The following points distill the most critical issues identified from this analysis, which warrant immediate and thorough investigation by the relevant engineering and quality assurance teams.