DecodedCars2008 Aston Martin DB9
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Minicompact Cars
- Body styles
- 2dr Coupe RWD, Volante 2dr Conv RWD
- Engines
- 5.9L 12-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 13 combined · 11 city / 18 hwy
- Length
- 185 in
- Curb weight
- 3,779–3,880 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 13 MPG combined, 36% below the 2008 minicompact car average of 20.2 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Aston Martin DB9 is a minicompact car offered with a 5.9L 12-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.
It measures about 185 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,880 lb (2dr Coupe RWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 13 MPG combined (11 city / 18 highway), 36% worse than the 2008 minicompact car average of 20.2 MPG, for an estimated $6,300 a year in fuel.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 DB9 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 DB9 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Coupe RWD | 185 in | 74 in | 50 in | 107.9 in | – | 3,880 lb | 50/50 |
| Volante 2dr Conv RWD | 185 in | 74 in | 50 in | 107.9 in | – | 3,779 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB9 Coupe | 5.9L 12-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 18 / 13 | -36% | $6,300 | 684 |
| DB9 Volante | 5.9L 12-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 17 / 13 | -36% | $6,300 | 684 |
| DB9 Coupe | 5.9L 12-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 10 / 16 / 12 | -41% | $6,850 | 741 |
| DB9 Volante | 5.9L 12-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 10 / 16 / 12 | -41% | $6,850 | 741 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Aston Martin DB9 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 minicompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Aston Martin DB9 (this car) | 13 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago | 11 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano | 12 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (4)
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables · Dec 11, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V795000 · 1,953 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- If the battery cable is damaged and then grounded, the short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery supply cable for damage, and install a routing block to keep the battery supply cable from being compressed by the seat, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this recall is RA-18-0026.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Nov 25, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V753000 · 7,256 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · Jan 16, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V010000 · 5,001 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm · Sep 28, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V449000 · 1,090 vehicles
- Problem
- ASTON MARTIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 DB9 COUPE, DB9 VOLANTE, V8 VANTAGE COUPE, V8 VANTAGE ROADSTER, AND DBS COUPE VEHICLES. THE FRONT BOTTOM SUSPENSION ARM CAM BOLT COULD CRACK ALONG ITS SHANK ALLOWING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO MOVE.
- Risk
- MOVEMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL INFLUENCE THE DRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM CAM BOLTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ASTON MARTIN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-888-923-9988.
Not every 2008 Aston Martin DB9 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2008 Aston Martin DB9 in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2008 Aston Martin DB9 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Aston Martin DB9. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other DB9 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 DB9 | 15 | 185 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 DB9 | 15 | 185 in | Not rated | 2 | 2 |
| 2014 DB9 | 15 | 185 in | Not rated | 6 | 1 |
| 2013 DB9 | 15 | 185 in | Not rated | 5 | 0 |
| 2012 DB9 | 15 | 185 in | Not rated | 5 | 0 |
| 2011 DB9 | 15 | 185 in | Not rated | 4 | 0 |
| 2010 DB9 | 15 | 185 in | Not rated | 4 | 0 |
| 2009 DB9 | 14 | 185 in | Not rated | 5 | 0 |
| 2007 DB9 | 13 | 185 in | Not rated | 3 | 0 |
| 2006 DB9 | 13 | 185 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2005 DB9 | 13 | 185 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Aston Martin. How we calculate this →