Research · Two Seaters

2012 Aston Martin V8 VantageRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint for the 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (1). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
15–16mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jun 2017
Owner complaints
1
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$5,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Power train

Free remedy

Aston Martin the Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2011-2014 V8 Vantage vehicles equipped with 7-speed Auto-Shift Manual (ASM) "SportShift II" transmissions. A connector for the clutch fluid line may break, resulting in a hydraulic fluid leak.

Power trainReported Jun 21, 2017NHTSA 17V391000

Electrical system: software

Free remedy

Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2011-2012 V8 Vantage vehicles. The affected vehicles received updated transmission and engine control software which may conflict with the pre-existing clutch settings and may cause the transmission to shift to neutral, or enable clutch protection mode which give abrupt gear shifts.

Electrical systemReported Jun 21, 2017NHTSA 17V389000

Power train

Free remedy

Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2012 V8 Vantage vehicles equipped with 6-speed Auto-Shift Manual (ASM) transmissions. A connector for the transmission fluid lines may break resulting in a hydraulic fluid leak.

Power trainReported Jun 21, 2017NHTSA 17V390000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2020 – Oct 2020
  1. Exterior lighting1

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 V8 Vantage model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20062
20072
20081
20102
20111
20121
20153
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

1 report
“ASTON MARTINS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING CONDENSATION BOTH IN THE HEADLIGHT AND TAIL LIGHTS. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM DUE TO BAD DESIGN AND BUILD YET THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CONDENSATION CAN CAUSE THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT CAUSING POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS ON THE ROAD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2020Exterior lightingODI 11363599
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
4.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AM6) · Automatic (AM7) · 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 Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
V8 Vantage
Auto (AM6), 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$5,000555
V8 Vantage
Auto (AM7), 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142116$5,000555
V8 Vantage S
Auto (AM7), 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142116$5,000555
V8 Vantage
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131915$5,300592
  • V8 Vantage
    Auto (AM6), 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • V8 Vantage
    Auto (AM7), 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    14 city · 21 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • V8 Vantage S
    Auto (AM7), 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    14 city · 21 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • V8 Vantage
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $5,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 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

2012 V8 Vantage questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026