2016 ASTON MARTIN DB9

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: Metallic knocking or ticking from lower engine, especially cold start, Oil pressure warning light or low readings at idle, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Sudden catastrophic failure with loss of power

Fix: Engine-out rebuild or short-block replacement required. 50-70 hours labor depending on whether heads need work. Bearings alone won't save you—machine work and full tear-down mandatory. Many shops won't touch it; expect Aston dealer or V12 specialist rates.

Estimated cost: $18,000-35,000

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under car, forward of rear axle, Harsh or delayed shifts when fluid runs low, Burnt smell from transmission area during spirited driving, Check engine light with transmission temp codes

Fix: Cooler lines corrode where they connect to the transmission-mounted heat exchanger. Replace cooler, lines, and fluid. 6-9 hours labor; access requires lift and sometimes exhaust removal. Ignore it and you'll cook the clutch packs.

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800

Symptoms: Transmission stuck in one gear, no shifting, Erratic or random neutral engagement while driving, Paddle shifters unresponsive or delayed, Limp mode with transmission fault codes, Recalls issued for TCM programming issues

Fix: NHTSA recall addresses some software faults—check if applied. Hardware failures require TCM replacement and reprogramming at dealer or specialist with Aston tooling. 3-5 hours labor, but module itself is $2,500-4,000 new. Used modules need VIN-specific coding.

Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking on shifts or throttle lift, especially in manual mode, Vibration through center tunnel at highway speed, Excessive driveline lash when reversing direction, Visible sagging or torn rubber on mounts

Fix: Rubber mounts fatigue from V12 torque and heat. Transaxle setup means rear diff and trans share mounts. Replace all at once—4-6 hours labor. OEM parts only; aftermarket options are poor quality and won't last.

Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800

Typical onset: 40,000-70,000 mi

Symptoms: Rough idle, stumbling, or hesitation under load, Check engine light with fuel trim or misfire codes, Hard starting after sitting overnight, Loss of top-end power above 5,000 RPM

Fix: In-tank fuel filter and pump assembly require tank drop. 8-12 hours labor due to exotic underbody panels and exhaust routing. Ethanol fuel accelerates sediment buildup. Replace filter, inspect pump, and clean tank if contaminated. Don't wait for limp mode—V12 injectors are $400 each if they clog.

Estimated cost: $2,500-4,200

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Sweet coolant smell from engine bay, especially after shutdown, Slow coolant loss with no visible external leaks, White residue on valley cover or between cylinder banks, Slight rough idle or misfire when cold

Fix: V12 head gaskets leak externally more often than internally. Both heads off, resurface if warped, new gaskets and timing chains while you're in there. 60-80 hours labor at specialist rates. Budget ballooned by ancillary work—waterpump, hoses, spark plugs, coils. If it's weeping but not overheating, you can nurse it for a while.

Estimated cost: $15,000-25,000