2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

The 2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a stunning and potent sports car, celebrated for its raw power, exhilarating driving experience, and distinctive design. It’s offered as a coupe and roadster. The car’s immense power, direct steering, and relatively compact size provide a thrilling, old-school sports car feel that many enthusiasts appreciate. Common complaints often revolve around its firm ride, limited practicality, and the high running costs associated with a high-performance, low-volume vehicle. While some enjoy the engaging manual transmission, others find the automated manual gearbox to be less refined than modern dual-clutch systems. The V12 Vantage came standard with a 5.9-liter V12 engine producing 565 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque and was available with either a 7-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed Sportshift III automated manual transmission. The V12 Vantage S was an upgraded model which pushed the engine to 565 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque.

Engine

5.9L V12

• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks are a recurring issue, often originating from valve cover gaskets, timing cover seals, or the rear main seal. Symptoms include visible oil leaks, a burning oil smell, and low oil levels.
  • Solution: Replacing the leaking gaskets or seals. In severe cases, the entire engine may need to be resealed.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $3,000+, depending on the source and severity of the leak.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Coil Pack Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Misfires in the engine, rough idle, and check engine light illumination.
  • Solution: Replacing the faulty coil pack(s).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $800+, depending on the number of coil packs needing replacement.
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

7-Speed Sportshift III Automated Manual

• Clutch Wear
  • Description/Symptoms: This automated manual transmission is known for accelerated clutch wear, especially with aggressive driving. Symptoms include slipping during gear changes, jerky engagement, and difficulty selecting gears.
  • Solution: Clutch replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $4,000 - $8,000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Hydraulic Pump Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Failure of the hydraulic pump which actuates the gear changes can cause transmission malfunction. This may result in the car not being able to switch gears, or becoming stuck in gear.
  • Solution: Pump replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000-$4,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

7-Speed Manual

• No Issues Found

Suspension

• Adaptive Damper Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The adaptive dampers can sometimes fail, leading to a loss of damping control, a harsher ride, and potentially error messages on the dashboard.
  • Solution: Replacement of the faulty damper(s).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $3,000+ per damper.
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Battery Drain
  • Description/Symptoms: Aston Martins are known to experience battery drain issues, especially when not driven regularly. This can lead to difficulty starting the car or a completely dead battery.
  • Solution: Using a battery maintainer when the car is not in use, diagnosing and repairing parasitic drains, or replacing the battery.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+ for battery replacement, $100 - $1,000+ for diagnosing and repairing parasitic drains.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Infotainment System Glitches
  • Description/Symptoms: The infotainment system, while visually appealing, can suffer from glitches, slow response times, and occasional freezes.
  • Solution: Software updates (if available), replacement of the head unit.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 - $500+ for software updates, $1,000 - $3,000+ for head unit replacement.
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Door Handle Mechanism Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The door handle mechanisms can sometimes fail, making it difficult to open the doors.
  • Solution: Replacement of the faulty door handle mechanism.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,500+ per door.
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Stitching Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported stitching coming loose on the dashboard or seats, especially in areas exposed to direct sunlight.
  • Solution: Restitching or reupholstering affected areas.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1,000+ depending on the severity and location.
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage offers an exhilarating driving experience, but it comes with potential reliability concerns and high maintenance costs. Engine oil leaks and clutch wear on the automated manual transmission are significant issues that owners should be aware of. Electrical gremlins and suspension problems can also add to the cost of ownership. While some issues are relatively minor, others can be quite expensive to repair, making a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified Aston Martin technician crucial. The severity of issues ranges from minor annoyances to potentially immobilizing failures. Cost of repairs can range from a few hundred dollars to upwards of $8,000 or more.