2009 Aston Martin DB9

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

Aston Martin DB9
Pictured: Aston Martin DB9 coupe 03 (cropped). Photo: Maksim Sidorov, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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)
14 combined · 12 city / 19 hwy
Length
185 in
Curb weight
3,779–3,880 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 14 MPG combined, 35% below the 2009 minicompact car average of 21.6 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 3 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2009 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 14 MPG combined (12 city / 19 highway), 35% worse than the 2009 minicompact car average of 21.6 MPG, for an estimated $5,850 a year in fuel.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file.

What changed for 2009

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 DB9 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 DB9 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe RWD185 in74 in50 in107.9 in–3,880 lb50/50
Volante 2dr Conv RWD185 in74 in50 in107.9 in–3,779 lb50/50

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
DB95.9L 12-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive12 / 19 / 14-35%$5,850635
DB95.9L 12-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive11 / 17 / 13-40%$6,300684
Spend $17,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.6 MPG2009 Minicompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Aston Martin DB9 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2009 minicompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2009 Aston Martin DB9 (this car)14 MPGNot rated5
2009 Aston Martin DBS14 MPGNot rated5
2009 Lamborghini Murcielago11 MPGNot rated1
2009 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano12 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (5)

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.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) · Dec 11, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V796000 · 3,493 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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 · Dec 16, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V846000 · 6,076 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
If the doors cannot be opened by an occupant from inside the vehicle, they may be trapped inside, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix
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.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2009 Aston Martin DB9 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

No owner complaints for the 2009 Aston Martin DB9 in NHTSA's database since 2015.

Used 2009 Aston Martin DB9 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Aston Martin DB9. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other DB9 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2016 DB915185 inNot rated10
2015 DB915185 inNot rated22
2014 DB915185 inNot rated61
2013 DB915185 inNot rated50
2012 DB915185 inNot rated50
2011 DB915185 inNot rated40
2010 DB915185 inNot rated40
2008 DB913185 inNot rated40
2007 DB913185 inNot rated30
2006 DB913185 inNot rated20
2005 DB913185 inNot rated10

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Aston Martin. How we calculate this →