The 2014 DB9's naturally-aspirated 6.0L V12 is a hand-built marvel, but the AM11 engine suffers catastrophic bottom-end failures due to inadequate main bearing lubrication, particularly cylinders 7-12. The Touchtronic II transmission is generally reliable, but cooler and mount failures are common maintenance items.
Catastrophic Engine Bearing Failure (Main & Rod Bearings)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 30,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: metallic knocking from lower engine at idle or acceleration, low oil pressure warning, metal debris in oil during changes, sudden loss of power or complete seizure
Fix: Complete engine-out teardown required. Typical fix is short block replacement or full engine rebuild with updated bearings, ARP studs, and improved oiling mods. 60-80 labor hours at specialty shop. Many owners opt for factory reman long block.
Estimated cost: $35,000-55,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid puddles under vehicle, burnt transmission fluid smell, transmission overheating warnings, low fluid level on dipstick
Fix: Cooler lines corrode where they meet the radiator assembly. Replace cooler, lines, and flush system. 4-6 hours labor. Sometimes combined with radiator replacement if coolant cross-contamination occurred.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Transmission Mounts Deterioration
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking when shifting from park to drive, vibration at idle in gear, excessive driveline movement during acceleration, visible cracking or oil saturation of rubber mount
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mounts fail from age and heat. Replace both mounts (transmission has two). 3-4 hours labor with proper lift access.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Fuel Filter Clogging and Fuel Pump Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: hesitation or stumbling under hard acceleration, rough idle or misfires, difficulty starting when hot, fuel pressure below 55 psi spec
Fix: In-tank fuel filter not serviceable separately, requires fuel pump module replacement. Tank drop necessary. 6-8 hours labor. Aston parts pricing is brutal here.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Failure
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: intermittent loss of throttle response, limp mode activation, fault codes P2138 or P2122, pedal feels electronically dead
Fix: Subject to recall but failures still occur. Replace entire pedal assembly (sensor not sold separately). 1.5-2 hours labor. Critical safety item—no throttle response in traffic is dangerous.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Door Latch Mechanism Failures
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: door will not latch securely, door ajar warning with door closed, difficulty opening door from inside or outside, actuator motor noise without latch movement
Fix: Complex electromechanical latch assemblies wear internally. Replace complete latch mechanism per door. 2-3 hours labor per door including trim removal and alignment.
Estimated cost: $1,500-2,500
Owner tips
Oil analysis every 5,000 miles is non-negotiable—catch bearing wear before catastrophic failure. Use only factory 10W-60 spec oil.
Budget $5,000-8,000 annually for maintenance and repairs if daily-driving; these are hand-built $200K cars with corresponding parts costs.
Pre-purchase inspection MUST include borescope cylinder inspection and oil sample analysis for bearing material—walk away from any car with metal in the oil.
Transmission fluid and filter service every 30,000 miles prevents costly cooler contamination issues.
Find a specialist who knows AM11 engine internals; general exotic shops often misdiagnose bearing noise as valve train issues.
Only buy if you have a $40K emergency fund and accept that a $60K used DB9 has $200K car running costs—engine failures are financial grenades, but the driving experience is extraordinary for those prepared.
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) · 17V796000
2017-12-11
Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2009-2016 DB9, 2009-2012 DBS, 2010-2015 Rapide, 2012 Virage, and 2014 Vanquish vehicles equipped with a 6-Speed Touchtronic II Automatic Transmission. A communication error between the Engine Control Module (ECM) and the Transmission Control Module (TCM) can cause the transmission park pawl to not engage.
Consequence: If the park pawl does not engage and the vehicle is stopped on a slope and exited without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will update the TCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 1, 2018. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this recall is RA-07-0028.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES · 15V846000
2015-12-16
Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 DB9, 2010-2012 DBS, 2010-2016 V8 Vantage, 2012 Virage, 2010-2016 Rapide, 2014-2016 Vanquish, 2011-2016 V12 Vantage, and 2012-2013 V12 Zagato vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with interior door unlocking mechanisms that may not function when the vehicle has been locked from the outside. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Consequence: If the doors cannot be opened by an occupant from inside the vehicle, they may be trapped inside, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will disable the double locking feature by reprogramming the software, free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2016. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this recall is RA-01-0021.
Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 DB9, V12 Vantage, V8 Vantage, DBS, and Virage vehicles manufactured July 3, 2006, to November 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic control module for the driver and front passenger seat heaters may fail, preventing the seat heaters from being able to be turned off.
Consequence: If the electronic control module fails, the seat heater could get hot enough that areas of the seat may overheat and smolder, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional module to the circuit that can interrupt the power to the seat heaters in case the electronic control module for the seat heaters fails, free of charge. The recall began in January 2015. Owners may contact Aston Martin Customer Service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this recall is RA-01-0019.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 14V425000
2014-07-14
Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2014 DB9 and Rapide S vehicles manufactured June 2013 to July 2014. Due to a faulty circuit board, the transmissions in the affected vehicles may inadvertently shift to neutral without input from the driver.
Consequence: If the transmission shifts to neutral, the driver will not be able to maintain speed or move the vehicle out of traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected circuit boards, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this recall is RA-07-0018. Note: If the vehicle exhibits this problem, owners are advised to turn off the ignition and then restart the car which may allow the car to be driven out of harm's way.
Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 DB9 and V8 Vantage, 2009-2012 DBS, 2010-2012 Rapide, 2014 Rapide S, 2011-2012 V12 Vantage, 2011-2014 V8 Vantage S and 2012 Virage vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the accelerator pedal arm may break.
Consequence: If the accelerator pedal arm breaks, the engine will return to idle and the driver will be unable to maintain or increase engine speed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assemblies. The recall began on February 11, 2014. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's recall number is RA-03-0017. IMPORTANT: This recall supersedes recall 13V-228. Any vehicle that has been remedied under the previous recall needs to have the current remedy applied.
Aston Martin is recalling certain model year DB9, Virage, V8 Vantage, V12 Vantage, and Rapide vehicles manufactured from May 14, 2012, through April 10, 2013. Due to a manufacturing error, the throttle pedal arm may break.
Consequence: If the throttle pedal arm breaks, the engine will return to idle and the driver will be unable to maintain or increase engine speed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the throttle pedal assemblies. The recall began July 19, 2013. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's recall number is RA-03-0016.
Vehicle Info — 2014 Aston Martin DB9
Performance
Horsepower
510hp
Torque
457lb-ft
0–60 mph
4.5sec
Quarter mile
12.8sec
Top speed
183mph
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
13mpg
Highway
19mpg
Combined
15mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
Capability & size
Curb weight
3,935lb
Seating
4seats
EPA class
Minicompact Cars
Wiper blades
Coupe body style, no rear wiper. DB9 typically uses symmetrical blade lengths.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2014 Aston Martin DB9 6.0L V12 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.