Aston martin Db7 problems
The Aston Martin DB7 is a car that was produced by British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin from September 1994 to December 2004. It was designed by Ian Callum and Keith Helfet as a grand tourer in coupé and convertible bodystyles. The prototype was complete by November 1992 and debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1993. The six-cylinder DB7 (based on the Jaguar AJ6 engine) was positioned as an "entry-level" model below the hand-built V8 Virage introduced a few years earlier. This model was the most-produced Aston Martin automobile up to that point in time, with more than 7,000 built before it was replaced by the DB9 in 2004.
Overview
The DB7, known internally as the XX project, was made mostly with resources from Jaguar Cars and had the financial backing of the Ford Motor Company, owner of Aston Martin from 1988 to 2007. The DB7's platform is an evolution of the Jaguar XJS platform, though with many changes.
The DB7 began life as a successor to the Jaguar XJS envisioned by Tom Walkinshaw of TWR. Walkinshaw had been impressed by the XJS' potential after driving it in the European Touring Car Championship in the late 1970s and early 1980s and wanted to re-body the car so it would have more modern styling. He initially wanted to engage Peter Stevens to design such a car but he refused due to his on going projects at the time. Walkinshaw then engaged Ian Callum, who was new in the car design work at the time, to design the car.
Jaguar had been struggling to replace the XJS due to its weak financial position. A project codenamed the XJ41/42 (41 for the coupé, 42 for the convertible) was already in development stage in the company, mooted to be called the F-Type when completed and was designed by Keith Helfet. When American automobile manufacturer Ford acquired both Jaguar and Aston Martin, the new management cancelled the XJ41/42 project in 1990 because of the car's heavier weight than the XJS, the project's high budget and also the employee overtime spent on the car. Seeing the potential of the abandoned project, Walkinshaw based his concept on the XJ41 and tasked Ian Callum to design his envisioned body around the XJ41. He presented the completed car to Jaguar's management who rejected it.
Due to the development of the Jaguar XJ220, Ford had not been very keen on development of new Aston Martin models, considering high development costs and the market in the wake of the 1990s economic downturn. Aston Martin CEO at the time, Walter Hayes approached Walkinshaw as he had seen the potential in Walkinshaw's proposition to succeed. Development started with a project name of XX. Ian Callum was again tasked to redesign the car so it would look like an Aston Martin. Due to a limited financial backing at the time, the final product shared many components from other marques owned by Ford. The tail lights came from the Mazda 323 F, the chrome door handles came from the Mazda 323 Estate, the turn signals came from the Mazda MX-5 and the interior door mirror switches came from the Ford Scorpio. The only foreign component would be the wing mirrors which were shared with the Citroën CX. The whole project cost US$30 million.
These vehicles were fitted with the Tibbe disc tumbler lock barrel design as used on Ford vehicles around the time of this vehicle's manufacture. The difference between Ford locks and the ones fitted to the DB7 is the fact the DB7 utilises 8 discs rather than 6, hence the key blade and the lock barrel is longer. Jaguar vehicles also used the 8 disc Tibbe locks.
An alternate DB7 proposal was considered in 1991 to develop a 6-cylinder platform from the Escort RS Cosworth's 4x4 system.
On 1 January 1993, Jac Nasser was appointed the new chairman of Ford Europe. He presented the finished car, which had yet to be named, to the general public at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show. Due to the positive and overwhelming reception, the car was put into production as the Aston Martin DB7.
The positive response also prompted Jaguar to use the platform for the XJS' successor. The car was redesigned by Geoff Lawson and was launched in the market as the Jaguar XK which uses an evolution of the XJS platform (called the X100 by Jaguar) and the cars share a family resemblance, although the DB7 was more expensive than the XK.
The DB7 was engineered in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, by TWR on behalf of Aston Martin. The engines continued to be built in Kidlington during the production run of the vehicle.
With the production of the Virage (soon rechristened "V8" following Vantage styling revisions) continuing at Newport Pagnell, a new factory was acquired at Bloxham, Oxfordshire that had previously been used to manufacture the XJ220, where every DB7 would be built throughout its production run. The DB7 and its variants were the only Aston Martin automobiles produced in Bloxham and the only ones with a steel unit construction inherited from Jaguar (Aston Martin had traditionally used aluminium for construction of the bodies of their cars, and models introduced after the DB7 use aluminium for the chassis as well as for many major body parts).
The convertible Volante version was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show held in Detroit in 1996. Both versions initially had a supercharged straight-six engine that has a power output of 340 PS (250 kW; 335 hp) and 361 lb⋅ft (489 N⋅m) of torque. In the United States, the Coupé was sold for US$140,000, and the Volante for US$150,000. Works Service provided a special Driving Dynamics package, which greatly enhanced performance and handling for drivers who wanted more than what the standard configuration offered. The straight-6 models were phased out in mid-1999 due to lack of market interest.
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Aston martin Db7 model years
Common Aston martin Db7 problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Aston Martin DB7, several common problems have been identified:
- Water Leaks:
- Water leaks into the front footwells have been a common issue, attributed to either a leak in the scuttle pane or faulty door seals. If left unaddressed, leaks can lead to further damage, particularly to the cooling fan motor. Resolving this problem involves replacing the scuttle pane or door seals and ensuring the affected areas are dried out to prevent dampness.
- Exhaust Manifold Cracking:
- The DB7 is prone to exhaust manifold cracking, which manifests as a loud growling noise, especially during cold startups. To address this issue, owners need to inspect the manifold for cracks and replace it if necessary to prevent further complications.
- Rear Vibration:
- Vibration from the rear of the car is often caused by a faulty rear radius arm. Resolving this problem involves fitting a replacement rear radius arm to eliminate the unpleasant sensation experienced while driving.
- Other Issues:
- Additional problems reported by owners include rapid tire wear due to poor suspension setup, cracked exhaust manifolds, warped brake discs, and air conditioning issues. These issues can lead to significant repair costs and impact the overall ownership experience of the Aston Martin DB7.
By addressing these common problems promptly and proactively, Aston Martin DB7 owners can ensure a smoother driving experience and avoid potential costly repairs associated with these issues.
Is the Aston Martin DB7 reliable?
The least expensive James Bond car
Amazingly, it looks just like all the Astons that superceed it. The car can't be beaten for looks, reliability, comfort, the sheer thrill of the ride and, last but by no means least, the looks of envy you get from all you overtake.
Will DB7 go up in value?
Last year, Hagerty identified the Aston Martin DB7 in its 2021 Bull Market List, highlighting it as a sports car likely to rise in value.
What is the life span of an Aston Martin?
The estimated lifespan of a Aston Martin Db9 is 153,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit. Fuel type is a major factor when looking into a vehicles lifespan/life expectancy.
Are Aston Martin worth buying?
From an investment point of view an Aston Martin is undoubtedly a good bet. Obviously, anticipating what the market's going to do is always tricky, but classic Aston Martins do tend to increase in value over time.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Aston martin Db7 years
We have researched Aston martin problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Aston martin Db7 cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Aston martin Db7 model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Aston martin Db7 model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Aston martin Db7 years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Aston martin Db7 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Aston martin Db7 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Suspension problems
- Air bags problems
- Seat belts problems
- Equipment problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Aston martin Db7 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Aston martin Db7 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Aston martin Db7 vehicles.
List of Aston martin Db7 complaints
Aston martin Db7 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2003-06-30
- Date Complaint: 2003-11-24
- Components: SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: ITEM NUMBER SIX BELOW IS THE MOST MATERIAL SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO NOTE THAT THE CAR HAD A SUBTLE DEFECT IN THE SUSPENSION THAT CAUSED A DANGEROUS HANDLING PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP KNEW ABOUT THESE ISSUES BUT FAILED TO DISCLOSE THEM DESPITE BEING ASKED DIRECTLY IF THE CAR HAD ANY KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFECTS. 1. FERRARI OF DENVER SOLD ME AN 2000 ASTON MARTIN DB7 V12, FOR WHICH I PAID IN FULL 2. THEY DELIVERED IT TO ME HERE IN CALIFORNIA 3. THE CAR WAS MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE WAY THEY REPRESENTED IT 4. THE CAR COULD NOT PASS CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS TESTS, SO I HAD TO SPEND OVER $10,000 FIXING THINGS JUST TO REGISTER IT 5. IT HAD AN ILLEGAL RADAR JAMMING SYSTEM INSTALLED (NOT A LEGAL DETECTOR) WHICH WILL COST THOUSANDS TO REMEDY 6. THE CAR DID NOT HAVE WORKING SEAT BELTS OR AIRBAGS. THEY HAD TO HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT WAS ON WHEN THE CAR WAS DELIVERED. I HAVE SEVERAL WITNESSES TO THIS FACT. 7. THEY CHARGED ME FOR AN AFTER MARKET WARRANTY, I PAID IN FULL, AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO DELIVER IT. THIS IS MATERIAL: I MADE IT CLEAR IN WRITING THAT THE WARRANTY WAS A NON-NEGOTIABLE REQUIREMENT FOR THEM TO MAKE THE SALE, AND THE CHARGE WAS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. 8. THERE ARE ISSUES RELATED TO THIS CASE IN EXCESS OF $100,000 AND CLIMBING: THE CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN RECENTLY, WITH A PROBLEM THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE PAID-FOR-BUT-NOT-DELIVERED WARRANTY. 9. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ADDRESS ANY OF THESE ISSUES, OR EVEN TO DISCUSS THEM CIVILLY MUCH LESS SERIOUSLY. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. *LA
Recalls Aston martin Db7
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the Aston martin Db7.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Aston martin Db7 2000
- Report Received Date: 2003-03-26
- Manufacturer: ASTON MARTIN
- Components: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
- Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES,THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING HIGH PRESSURE FLEXIBLE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE LEFT HAND EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HOSE MAY SCORCH THROUGH RESULTING IN A PROGRESSIVE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND POWER ASSISTANCE.
- Consequence: THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE HOSE AND REPLACE THE HOSE IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ASTON MARTIN AT 1-201-818-8352.
- Model: Aston martin Db7 2000
- Report Received Date: 2001-03-30
- Manufacturer: ASTON MARTIN
- Components: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
- Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SIX CYLINDER AND TWELVE CYLINDER VARIANTS. THE STEERING COLUMN LIGHTING SWITCH GEAR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO TRAP WIRES, LEADING TO A PARTIAL LOSS OF LIGHTING FUNCTIONALITY.
- Consequence: DEPENDING ON WHICH WIRES ARE TRAPPED, THE LOSS OF LIGHTING FUNCTION CAN VARY.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH GEAR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 12, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ASTON MARTIN AT 201-818-8352.
- Model: Aston martin Db7 2000
- Report Received Date: 2000-10-03
- Manufacturer: ASTON MARTIN
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
- Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CAN START UP ON SIX OF THE TWELVE CYLINDERS. THIS IS DUE TO ONE OF THE TWO POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULES NOT OPERATING WITH ITS DESIGN SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION WILL BE EVIDENT BY A LACK OF ENGINE POWER AND OR SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPE.
- Consequence: IF THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN IN THIS CONDITION, IT COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE EXHAUST CATALYST DUE TO OVERHEATING.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULES WITH RECALIBRATED PROGRAMS.
- Model: Aston martin Db7 2000
- Report Received Date: 2000-01-18
- Manufacturer: ASTON MARTIN
- Components: STEERING:LINKAGES
- Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WELDS SECURING THE FRONT DAMPER LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET COULD BE INADEQUATE RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE BRACKET.
- Consequence: THE SEPARATED BRACKET COULD DISPLACE THE DAMPER, AND LIMIT STEERING ACTION.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT DAMPER LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET.
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