2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

FACTORY HEADLIGHTS SUFFER FROM SEVERE CONDENSATION. THIS CAUSES POOR ROAD ILLUMINATION AND EXCESSIVE DIFFRACTION OF LIGHT. IT ALSO CAUSED COMPONENTS TO FAIL INCLUDING THE TURNING INDICATOR LEDS THAT ARE BUILT INTO THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. THE TAIL LIGHTS SUFFERED THE SAME CONDITION. CAUSING INDICATORS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL.

THE CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD FAILED INSIDE THE LEFT HEADLIGHT. THE LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL THEREFORE DOES NOT WORK, AND THE BOARD IS NOT AVAILABLE BY ITSELF. A YEAR LATER (6/2019) THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT DEVELOPED CONDENSATION AND THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL FAILED. THESE ARE VERY COMMON PROBLEMS FOR THIS CAR AND NOT REPAIRABLE. OFFICIALLY A NEW HEADLIGHT AND NEW TAIL LIGHT WOULD BE NEEDED. THIS WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $2500+ FOR JUST ONE TAILLIGHT AND ONE HEADLIGHT PLUS LIKELY 5+HRS LABOR. IT IS VERY LIKELY THE RIGHT SIDE LIGHTS WILL FAIL SOME DAY. TURN SIGNALS SHOULD BE REPAIRABLE. THE CAR IS OVERALL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, BUT I AM NOT SURE A CAR LIKE THIS SHOULD NEED $6000 IN TURNSIGNAL REPAIRS IN ITS LIFETIME.