Aston martin V12 vantage s problems

aston martin logo

The Aston Martin Vantage is a series of hand-built sports cars from the British automotive manufacturer Aston Martin. Aston Martin has previously used the "Vantage" name on high-performance variants of their existing GT models, notably on the Virage-based car of the 1990s. The modern car, in contrast, is the leanest and most agile car in Aston's lineup. As such, it is intended as a more focused model to reach out to potential buyers of cars such as the Porsche 911 as well as the exotic sports and GT cars with which Aston Martins traditionally compete.

Production of the V8 Vantage ended in 2017 while production of the V12 Vantage continued until 2018. The 2005 Vantage and its variants became the most successful model in Aston Martin's history. Aston Martin unveiled the next-generation Vantage in November 2017, and started its production run the following year.

Overview

Following the unveiling of the AMV8 Vantage concept car in 2003 at the North American International Auto Show, the production version, known as the V8 Vantage was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2005 for the 2006 model year. The two-seat, two-door coupé had a bonded aluminium structure for strength and lightness. The 172.5 in (4.38 m) long car featured a hatchback-style tailgate for practicality, with a large luggage shelf behind the seats. In addition to the coupé, a convertible, known as the V8 Vantage Roadster, was introduced later in that year.

The V8 Vantage was initially powered by a 4.3-litre (4,280 cc) quad-cam 32-valve V8 which produced 380 bhp (283 kW; 385 PS) at 7,300 rpm and 409 N⋅m (302 lb⋅ft) at 5,000 rpm. However, models produced after 2008 had a 4.7-litre V8 with 420 bhp (313 kW; 426 PS) and 470 N⋅m (347 lb⋅ft) of torque. Though based loosely on Jaguar's AJ-V8 engine architecture, this engine was unique to Aston Martin and featured race-style dry-sump lubrication, which enabled it to be mounted low in the chassis for an improved centre of gravity. The cylinder block and heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system and engine management were all designed in house by Aston Martin and the engine was assembled by hand at the AM facility in Cologne, Germany, which also built the V12 engine for the DB9 and Vanquish.

The engine was front mid-mounted with a rear-mounted transaxle, giving a 49/51 front/rear weight distribution. Slotted Brembo brakes were also standard. The original V8 Vantage could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.8 seconds before topping out at 175 mph (282 km/h).

In 2008, Aston Martin introduced an aftermarket dealer approved upgrade package for power and handling of the 4.3-litre variants that maintained the warranty with the company. The power upgrade was called the V8 Vantage Power Upgrade, creating a more potent version of the Aston Martin 4.3-litre V8 engine with an increase in peak power of 20 bhp (15 kW; 20 PS) to 400 bhp (298 kW; 406 PS) while peak torque increased by 10 N⋅m (7 lb⋅ft) to 420 N⋅m (310 lb⋅ft). This consists of the fitting of the following revised components; manifold assembly (painted Crackle Black), valved air box, right and left-hand side vacuum hose assemblies, engine bay fuse box link lead (ECU to fuse box), throttle body to manifold gasket, intake manifold gasket, fuel injector to manifold seal and a manifold badge.

The V8 Vantage had a retail price of £79,000, US$110,000, or €104,000 in 2006, Aston Martin planned to build up to 3,000 per year. Included was a 6-speed manual transmission and leather-upholstery for the seats, dashboard, steering wheel, and shift-knob. A new 6-speed automated manual transmission, similar to those produced by Ferrari and Lamborghini, called Sportshift was introduced later as an option.

In their 2006 readership survey, readers of Car Design News voted the Aston Martin V8 Vantage as the best current production car design. The survey results were based on over 1,000 responses, most from working automotive designers and students of industrial and automotive design. The Vantage was also voted one of Automobile magazine's 2007 "All-Stars" for its performance, road manners, and design. The V8 Vantage is also one of the only two cars to be added to "The DB9 Section", – a mini-fridge reserved for the super "cool" – on the BBC's Top Gear (on which it is described as the baby Aston to differentiate it from the V12 powered DB9). The program rates cars from seriously un-cool to sub-zero. The fridge was an extra category added when the presenters deemed the Aston Martin DB9 too cool for the sub-zero category. In the 2005 awards, Jeremy Clarkson declared the V8 Vantage as Best Sounding Car of the Year and The Coolest Car of the Year, while the award winner was actually the Porsche 911.

While the V8 Vantage was never a common car, the success of the model is highlighted by the completion of chassis number 10,000 – a specially ordered Onyx coupé delivered to a customer in the USA – during the first half of 2008. While the production of 10,000 cars is a tiny number by the standards of typical car manufacturers, it was a significant milestone for an Aston Martin – the DB9 being the only other model to have achieved that number. By the end of production in 2017, Aston Martin had produced 15,417 V8 coupés, 6,231 V8 Roadsters, 2,551 V12 Coupés, and 465 V12 Roadsters (363 V12 S Roadsters, 101 V12 Roadsters and 1 V12 GT Roadster). While strong demand for the Vantage contributed to Aston Martin's health during this period, it is equally true that the relatively low production of all Aston Martins means seeing a V8 or V12 from this generation remains a rare treat. For perspective, during the same period, Porsche was producing over 20,000 911s annually and have built more than 1 million 911 variants in total.

Design credit for the original V8 Vantage has been disputed. The design is officially credited to Henrik Fisker, design director of Aston Martin at the time the Vantage was introduced. However, some sources, including Callum himself, claim that Ian Callum, director of design for Jaguar at the time and former director of design at Aston Martin, was responsible for creating a large amount of the design for the Vantage during his time at Aston Martin, before Fisker joined the company. In an interview with Car and Driver, when asked how much of the V8 Vantage was completed under his watch, Callum replies "I would say a good 80 percent. In fact, we started the V-8 first and then shelved it while we did the DB9—that’s why they’re quite similar".

photo of Aston martin V12 vantage s car production

Social links

Aston martin V12 vantage s model years

aston martin v12 vantage s 2017 photo
V12 vantage s 2017
Aston martin

1

0

2

5
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Common Aston martin V12 vantage s problems

Based on complaints from owners of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S, several common problems have been reported. Here is a detailed list of these issues:

  • Transmission Problems: The unique transmission system in Aston Martins, including the V12 Vantage S, can sometimes lead to transmission issues. Regular servicing by qualified technicians and the use of approved fluids and filters are crucial to prevent and address transmission problems effectively.
  • Electrical Issues: Aston Martin vehicles, including the V12 Vantage S, have been plagued by electrical problems. These issues can affect various models and have been a persistent challenge for the company. Owners have reported issues with the electrical system, including failures in components like battery sensors, fuse boxes, and door locks. Aston Martin has issued recalls and extended warranties to address these electrical concerns, emphasizing the importance of keeping the car's electrical system well-maintained.
  • Paint and Interior Trim Problems: Some owners have experienced paint peeling or chipping off and interior trim coming loose in their Aston Martin models, including the V12 Vantage S. These issues can affect the aesthetics and overall quality of the vehicle. Aston Martin is investigating these reports and working on solutions to rectify paint and interior trim problems. Owners are advised to have their vehicles inspected by Aston Martin mechanics for necessary repairs and maintenance.
  • Customer Service Challenges: Aston Martin has faced criticism regarding customer service, with reports of unresponsive representatives, long wait times for repairs, and difficulties in reaching support when issues arise. The company is aware of these challenges and is working to improve customer service standards to address the concerns raised by owners.

These common problems with the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S highlight the importance of regular maintenance, using approved parts and fluids, and being vigilant about addressing any emerging issues promptly to ensure the longevity and performance of the vehicle.

Aston martin V12 vantage s

Are Aston Martin V12 reliable?

In fact, according to Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey in 2020, Aston Martin was ranked second-to-last among all car brands. The survey found that Aston Martin owners experienced a higher-than-average number of problems with their vehicles compared to other luxury brands like Lexus or Porsche.

How reliable is the Aston Martin Vantage?

Is the V8 Vantage reliable? For such a high-performance machine, the V8 Vantage's dependability is impressive. Any early niggles have long since been addressed and the car enjoys a reputation for excellent reliability.

Is Aston Martin Vantage expensive to maintain?

Every year or 10,000 miles, you have to complete an annual service, which costs $1,400 at the Aston Martin dealer. Every three or four services, you have to do some extra stuff, bringing the cost closer to $3,000.

What is the transmission problem with the Aston Martin Vantage?

Issue with Transmission

Transmission failure is the most prevalent issue with the V8 Vantage 2010-2013 models. The problem was so prevalent that the manufacturer issued a global recall. The Vantage drivers would often experience frequent stalling, where the vehicle known for its impressive performance would lose power.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Aston martin V12 vantage s years

We have researched Aston martin problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Aston martin V12 vantage s cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Aston martin V12 vantage s model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Aston martin V12 vantage s model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Aston martin V12 vantage s years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Aston martin V12 vantage s car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Aston martin V12 vantage s , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Exterior lighting problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Aston martin V12 vantage s vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Aston martin V12 vantage s . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Aston martin V12 vantage s vehicles.

List of Aston martin V12 vantage s complaints

Aston martin V12 vantage s 2017
  • Date Of Incident: 2019-05-28
  • Date Complaint: 2019-06-25
  • VIN: SCFEKBCR3HG
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: I'VE HAD IN THE PAST A 2009 V8 VANTAGE (VIN (XXXXX)) WHICH TAIL LIGHTS ALLOWED CONDENSATION IN THEM AND EVENTUALLY FAILED , A 2015 V8GT VANTAGE (VIN (XXXXX)) IN WHICH THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHT HAD CONDENSATION - REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND A 2015 V12S VANTAGE (VIN (XXXXX)) WHO HAD A TAIL LIGHT CONDENSATION AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAIL WHEN I OWNED IT. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 V12S VANTAGE (VIN ENTERED PREVIOUSLY) - BRAND NEW A FEW MONTHS AGO - BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAVE CONDENSATION. THE ISSUE IS THAT ANY WATER IN THE TAIL LIGHTS EVENTUALLY DESTROYS THE LED CIRCUIT BOARDS AND THEN THERE ARE NO TAIL LIGHTS. THE ONLY VANTAGE I'VE OWNED THAT DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WAS A 2007. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, AND A SAFETY PROBLEM AS WELL AS WHEN NOT UNDER WARRANTY AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE FIX. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL A LONG TIME AGO. PICTURES ARE FROM MY CURRENT CAR. I DID NOT EVEN HAVE THE CAR A WEEK, BEFORE THE ISSUE STARTED UP. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Latest positive Aston martin V12 vantage s car reviews

  1. Gerardo Schuster 2024-04-17

    Vehicle year: 2017

    I've owned a range of performance cars, from a '70 AAR Cuda to a 911 Turbo/R Turbo, and now this Aston. It's a manu-matic 7 speed, and while some people may prefer the pure manual, I doubt many have driven both, let alone mastered the auto (myself included). The auto has three ways to actuate your shifts, and if you take the time to read the owner's manual and speak with someone experienced with it, you'll find it to be a wonderful learning experience with lots of laughs. You can make it sound and act like a manual, make seamless, smooth changes, or just knock yourself into next Tuesday. People don't just turn their heads when they see it; they snap around like spring-loaded dolls. The engine sounds like a long, satisfying orgasm from a beautiful woman, and downshifting gives you a feeling of undeservedness. I don't get to drive it as often as I'd like, but that keeps the experience at full boil each and every time.

  2. Maynard Effertz 2024-04-15

    Vehicle year: 2017

    Only thirty three 2017 Aston Martin Vantage V12S 7 speed manual Roadsters were shipped to the USA, making it a rare find. After searching for over a year and a half, I finally found mine at Aston Martin Beverly Hills two years ago. This car is a true masterpiece, with unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail. While it may not be as fast as my 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo But don't give up the hunt and keep the faith. Remember, all good things come to those who can/will wait.

Are you having problems with your Aston martin V12 vantage s?

Add car complaint
Aston martin V12 vantage s photo