Research · Minicompact Cars

2009 Aston Martin DB9Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2009 Aston Martin DB9. Most complaints involve fuel system, gasoline (1) and electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 13–14 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
13–14mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Dec 2017
Owner complaints
2
Top: fuel system, gasoline
Fuel cost / yr
$5,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: 12v

Free remedy

Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2005-2009 DB9, and DBS vehicles. The battery supply cable on these vehicles may become damaged when the driver seat is positioned in the full rearward location.

Electrical systemReported Dec 11, 2017NHTSA 17V795000

Power train: control module (tcm

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Dec 11, 2017NHTSA 17V796000

Latches

Free remedy

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."

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Dec 16, 2015NHTSA 15V846000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2010 – Dec 2014
  1. Fuel system, gasoline1
  2. Electrical system1
  3. Parking brake1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each DB9 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20074
20092
20141
20152
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel system, gasoline

1 report
“THE CAR STALLED AT A FEW MPH AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THIS HAD HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE. THE INSTRUMENTATION LIGHTS REMAINED ON. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO PALM BEACH MOTORS. THE COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW A FAULT AND THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE INCIDENT. THEY REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE AND WOULD NOT TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTION, EVEN THOUGH I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I SPOKE DIRECTLY WITH ASTON MARTIN, WHO ASKED QUESTIONS THAT INDICATED TO ME THAT THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS ISSUE, BUT HE WOULD NOT DIRECT PALM BEACH ASTON MARTIN TO TAKE ANY ACTION. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON A BUSY STREET IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE SELLING DEALER EVENTUAL BOUGHT THE CAR BACK. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THE INTERNET MANY TIMES. UNLESS THIS ISSUE IS UNDERSTOOD AND RECTIFIED, THIS CAR AND PROBABLY OTHER ASTON MARTINS ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 19, 2014Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical systemODI 10667358

Electrical system

1 report

Parking brake

1 report
“I HAD MY 2009 DB9 ASTON MARTIN PARKED AT THE TOP OF MY DRIVEWAY WHILE RETRIEVING MY MAIL. AS I WALKED BACK TO THE CAR (VERY SHORT DISTANCE) IT BEGAN ROLLING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. I WATCHED AS IT ROLLED OFF THE PAVED AREA &DOWN A RAVINE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE PARKING LITE WAS CLEARLY LIT AFTER THE CRASH. MY SON TOOK PICTURES. ASTON MARTIN WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ACCIDENT SAYING I DIDN`T HAVE IT IN PARK. I MOST CERTAINLY DID HAVE IT IN PARK BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT GET OUT OF ANY CAR ON MY DRIVEWAY WITHOUT IT BEING IN PARK. I SOLD THE CAR WITHOUT REPAIRING IT & THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAID ME FOR THE CAR. I OF COURSE HAD TO PAY MY 5000 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE. I LOST MONEY TRYING TO HIRE A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR WHO KEPT THE CAR 3 MONTHS & NEVER LOOKED AT IT. HE WAS CHARGING ME STORAGE FEES + NUMEROUS OTHER THINGS THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. I WROTE LETTERS TO ASTON MARTIN OF NORTH AMERICA & ALSO THE OWNER IN ENGLAND. THE RESPONSE WAS SMALL ONLY SAYING THEY WEREN'T RESPONSIBLE...I NEVER HEARD FROM ENGLAND.. APPARENTLY THIS "PARKING ISSUE" WAS A PROBLEM IN 05 & 06 . THEY CLAIM TO HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER I`M HERE TO TELL YOU THEY DIDN'T. IT SHOULD 'NEVER" BE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2010Parking brakeODI 10331147
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minicompact Cars
Engines
5.9L 12-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
DB9
Auto (S6), 12 cyl, 5.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121914$5,550635
DB9
Man 6-spd, 12 cyl, 5.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111713$5,950684
  • DB9
    Auto (S6), 12 cyl, 5.9 L
    12 city · 19 hwy · $5,550/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • DB9
    Man 6-spd, 12 cyl, 5.9 L
    11 city · 17 hwy · $5,950/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Aston Martin DB9 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 DB9 questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Aston Martin DB9 have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Aston Martin DB9 problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel system, gasoline (1), electrical system (1), parking brake (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Aston Martin DB9 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Aston Martin DB9 at 13–14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026