The 2007 DB9's 6.0L V12 is a hand-built marvel that demands meticulous maintenance, but suffers from catastrophic engine bearing failures, fragile transmission mounts, and electrical gremlins that can strand you. Budget heavily for maintenance or walk away.
Catastrophic Main and Rod Bearing Failure
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: metallic knocking or ticking from lower engine, oil pressure warning light, metal shavings in oil filter, sudden loss of power
Fix: Complete engine-out rebuild required: main bearings, rod bearings, often crankshaft grinding or replacement. This is a 60-80 hour job requiring specialized tooling. Many owners opt for short-block replacement. Failure often stems from inadequate oil changes or low-speed city driving causing bearing surface damage.
Estimated cost: $18,000-35,000
Transmission Mount and Cooler Failure
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking when shifting or accelerating, visible transmission sag, transmission fluid leaks near bellhousing, harsh gear changes
Fix: Rubber transmission mounts deteriorate and tear, allowing excessive movement. Transmission oil cooler lines crack and leak. Mount replacement requires transmission support and is 4-6 hours. Cooler lines add another 3-4 hours if routed behind subframe.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,800
Fuel System Clogging and Pump Failures
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: rough idle or misfires, hesitation under acceleration, no-start condition, fuel smell in cabin, check engine light with lean codes
Fix: In-tank fuel filters clog and dual fuel pumps fail, starving the V12. Pumps require tank drop (8-10 hours labor). Filters should be replaced every 30k but rarely are. Use only premium fuel and add fuel system cleaner every tank to extend life.
Estimated cost: $2,200-4,500
Coil Pack and Spark Plug Misfires
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: check engine light with misfire codes, rough running when cold, loss of power, unburnt fuel smell from exhaust
Fix: Twelve individual coil packs and plugs mean failure is frequent. Rear bank access requires intake plenum removal (12-15 hours total for all coils and plugs). OEM coils are mandatory; aftermarket fails quickly. Replace all twelve at once or chase misfires endlessly.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200
Battery Cable Corrosion and Electrical Gremlins
Common · medium severitySymptoms: slow cranking or no-start, flickering interior lights, radio/navigation resets, parasitic battery drain, error messages on dash
Fix: Battery cables corrode internally (recall issued but not comprehensive). Trunk-mounted battery location traps moisture. Main ground points under car corrode. Clean and dielectric-grease all connections every 2 years (2-3 hours). Replace cables if resistance measured above 0.5 ohms.
Estimated cost: $400-1,200
Lower Control Arm Bushing and Ball Joint Wear
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking over bumps, steering wander, uneven tire wear on inside edges, vibration during braking
Fix: Aluminum control arms with pressed bushings and bonded ball joints wear out. Arms are not rebuildable; full assembly replacement required per side. Alignment mandatory after replacement (4-6 hours per side including alignment).
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Hydraulic Power Steering Pump and Rack Leaks
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: whining noise when turning, heavy steering effort, puddles of red fluid under front, steering jerking at low speeds
Fix: High-pressure hoses crack and pump seals weep. Rack seal leaks are slower but require rack removal (10-12 hours). Pump replacement is 3-4 hours. Flush system with Pentosin CHF-11S only; wrong fluid destroys seals.
Estimated cost: $1,500-3,800
Only buy if you have a $10k-per-year maintenance fund and access to a skilled Aston specialist; otherwise this gorgeous GT will bankrupt you.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.