2012 Aston Martin DB9

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 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)
15 combined · 13 city / 20 hwy
Length
185 in
Curb weight
3,880–4,092 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 15 MPG combined, 32% below the 2012 minicompact car average of 22.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 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 15 MPG combined (13 city / 20 highway), 32% worse than the 2012 minicompact car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $5,500 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 DB9 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 DB9 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe RWD185 in74 in50 in107.9 in61.8 / 61.4 in3,880 lb50/50
Volante 2dr Conv RWD185 in74 in50 in107.9 in–4,092 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 Drive13 / 20 / 15-32%$5,500592
DB95.9L 12-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive11 / 17 / 13-41%$6,300684
Spend $15,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22.2 MPG2012 Minicompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Aston Martin DB9.

Similar 2012 minicompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Aston Martin DB9 (this car)15 MPGNot rated5
2012 Lamborghini Aventador13 MPGNot rated3
2012 Bentley Continental Supersports14 MPGNot rated0
2012 Aston Martin DBS14 MPGNot rated5
2012 Aston Martin Virage15 MPGNot rated5

Recalls (5)

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.
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · May 29, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V228000 · 689 vehicles

Problem
Aston Martin is recalling certain model year DB9, Virage, V8 Vantage, V12 Vantage, and Rapide vehicles manufactured from May 14, 2012, through April 10, 2013. Due to a manufacturing error, the throttle pedal arm may break.
Risk
If the throttle 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 throttle pedal assemblies. The recall began July 19, 2013. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's recall number is RA-03-0016.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Aston Martin DB9 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

No owner complaints for the 2012 Aston Martin DB9 in NHTSA's database since 2015.

Used 2012 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 2012 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
2011 DB915185 inNot rated40
2010 DB915185 inNot rated40
2009 DB914185 inNot rated50
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 →