Touchtronic II Transmission Failure / Rough Shifting
high- Typically appears
- 60–90k mi
- Estimated repair
- $2,500 – $5,000
2009 Aston
Martin DB9
5.9L V12
The 2009 Aston Martin DB9 is a hand-built British grand tourer powered by a 5.9L V12 engine producing 470 hp. It sits on an aluminum VH (Vertical Horizontal) platform shared with the Vantage and DBS, which keeps weight in check for a car this size. The DB9 was Aston Martin's everyday GT flagship during this era — genuinely usable for long-distance cruising but capable of serious performance when you ask for it. Power goes to the rear wheels through a rear-mounted Touchtronic II 6-speed automatic transaxle (a paddle-shift unit built around a ZF base). The aluminum-intensive construction means it's lighter than it looks, but it also means bodywork repairs are expensive and require specialist knowledge. Interior quality is excellent for the era, with hand-stitched leather throughout, though some switchgear was sourced from Ford (Aston's owner at the time) and feels out of place in a six-figure car. This is a specialist vehicle. It needs a shop familiar with Aston Martins or at minimum with low-volume European performance cars. Parts lead times can be long, dealer network is sparse, and labor costs are high even at independents. Buy it for the experience — don't buy it expecting Toyota reliability or Porsche parts availability.
Reliability
2/5
Engine
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Drivetrain
RWD
Fuel
Gasoline
MPG
12 city / 19 hwy / 15 combined
Seats
4
Doors
2
Body
Coupe
MSRP
$183,000
Overview
AI-curatedThe 2009 Aston Martin DB9 is a hand-built British grand tourer powered by a 5.9L V12 engine producing 470 hp. It sits on an aluminum VH (Vertical Horizontal) platform shared with the Vantage and DBS, which keeps weight in check for a car this size. The DB9 was Aston Martin's everyday GT flagship during this era — genuinely usable for long-distance cruising but capable of serious performance when you ask for it. Power goes to the rear wheels through a rear-mounted Touchtronic II 6-speed automatic transaxle (a paddle-shift unit built around a ZF base). The aluminum-intensive construction means it's lighter than it looks, but it also means bodywork repairs are expensive and require specialist knowledge. Interior quality is excellent for the era, with hand-stitched leather throughout, though some switchgear was sourced from Ford (Aston's owner at the time) and feels out of place in a six-figure car. This is a specialist vehicle. It needs a shop familiar with Aston Martins or at minimum with low-volume European performance cars. Parts lead times can be long, dealer network is sparse, and labor costs are high even at independents. Buy it for the experience — don't buy it expecting Toyota reliability or Porsche parts availability.
Known for
- Hand-built 5.9L V12 with a genuinely thrilling exhaust note
- Aluminum VH platform — lightweight and rigid for its class
- Rear-mounted Touchtronic II transaxle for near-perfect weight balance
- Striking Ian Callum-designed bodywork that has aged extremely well
- Low production numbers — every example feels like a special vehicle
Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a weekend and occasional long-distance GT car
- Buyers who can budget realistically for specialist maintenance costs
- Drivers who prioritize occasion and character over convenience
- Collectors looking at lower-end Aston Martin entry points
Watch for
- Deferred maintenance is extremely common on used examples — budget for a full inspection before purchase
- Touchtronic II transmission problems can surface 60–90k mi and are expensive
- Cooling system failures can cause serious engine damage if ignored
- Parts and qualified labor are scarce in the upper Midwest — plan accordingly
- Low-mileage garage queens may have battery and seal issues from prolonged storage
Common issues by mileage
6 knownCooling System Leaks and Overheating
high- Typically appears
- 50–80k mi
- Estimated repair
- $1,000 – $2,500
Random / Multiple Cylinder Misfire (P0300) — Often Coil Packs or Plugs
medium- Typically appears
- 60–90k mi
- Estimated repair
- $300 – $900
Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (P0420) — Aging Cats on High-Mileage V12
medium- Typically appears
- 75–100k mi
- Estimated repair
- $800 – $2,000
Lean Condition Both Banks (P0171 / P0174) — MAF Sensor or Vacuum Leaks
medium- Typically appears
- 60–85k mi
- Estimated repair
- $200 – $600
Adaptive Damping / Suspension Control Module Faults
medium- Typically appears
- 60–90k mi
- Estimated repair
- $1,500 – $3,000
Maintenance schedule
- 1 Every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first Engine Oil and Filter Change
The V12 holds approximately 8.5 quarts and requires a specific full-synthetic specification. Oil quality matters more than on most cars — dirty oil accelerates wear on the VVT system and chain tensioners. Never stretch the interval.
- 2 Every 5,000 miles or 6 months Tire Rotation
Performance tires on a RWD GT car wear unevenly and are expensive. Rotation extends tire life and keeps handling balanced.
- 3 Every 30,000–40,000 miles Spark Plug Replacement
The V12 has 12 plugs. Worn plugs on this engine commonly trigger P0300 misfires and rough idle. Access is labor-intensive — budget accordingly.
- 4 Every 2 years regardless of mileage Brake Fluid Flush
Brake fluid is hygroscopic. On a car with large Brembo brakes and track potential, degraded fluid raises boil risk. Especially important if the car sits for extended periods.
- 5 Every 60,000 miles or 5 years Coolant System Inspection and Flush
Cooling system failures are a documented DB9 weakness. Check hoses, the reservoir, and thermostat at every major service. Do not wait for symptoms — overheating a V12 is an extremely expensive mistake.
- 6 Every 60,000 miles Transmission Fluid Change (Touchtronic II)
The rear-mounted transaxle runs hot and the fluid degrades. Fresh fluid is the single best preventive measure against the most expensive repair on this car.
- 7 Any time the car sits more than 2–3 weeks Battery Maintenance / Tender
The DB9's electronics draw significant parasitic current. Repeated deep discharges damage the battery and can corrupt ECU memory. Use a quality battery tender whenever the car is stored — especially over Wisconsin winters.
- 8 Every spring after Wisconsin winter exposure Underbody / Chassis Inspection for Corrosion
The aluminum structure resists rust, but steel fasteners, brake lines, and suspension hardware are vulnerable to road salt. Catch corrosion early — hardware seized by rust is expensive to remove on a low-clearance GT car.
Always defer to the manufacturer's service manual for warranty-mandated intervals.
Cost of ownership
Annual maintenance
$2,500 – $6,000
Fuel
Premium (91+ octane) required. Expect 13–16 MPG in mixed real-world Wisconsin driving. At current prices, budget $3,500–$5,500/year for a typical 8,000–10,000 mi/year driver.
Insurance
Specialty/agreed-value coverage strongly recommended. Expect $2,000–$4,500/year depending on driver profile and coverage level. Standard auto policies often undervalue exotics.
The DB9 is not a budget ownership proposition at any mileage. Routine annual maintenance in the $2,500–$4,000 range is realistic for a healthy, well-maintained car. Factor in that any significant repair — transmission, cooling system, suspension electronics, or exhaust — easily runs $1,500–$5,000+ at an independent specialist shop. Tires alone can run $1,500–$2,500 per set. Owners who try to cut corners on maintenance consistently end up spending far more on repairs. This car rewards diligent care and punishes neglect.
Seasonal care
Lake Geneva, WI Winter
- Store the car if at all possible during Wisconsin salt season. Road salt is extremely damaging to the undercarriage hardware and brake components even on an aluminum-bodied car.
- If driven in winter, rinse the undercarriage thoroughly after any salt exposure — pay close attention to brake calipers, lines, and suspension components.
- Use a battery tender throughout storage. The DB9's electronics will drain a battery in weeks of inactivity, and sub-zero temps accelerate capacity loss.
- Check coolant freeze protection before the first hard freeze — the cooling system is already a known weak point and freeze damage is catastrophic.
- Switch to a full-synthetic oil rated for cold starts if the car will be driven in sub-zero temps. Cold starts on thick oil stress the V12's VVT components.
- Replace wiper blades with winter-rated units and keep the reservoir filled with washer fluid rated to at least -20°F.
Summer
- Check tire pressures weekly in summer heat — performance tires are sensitive to pressure changes and the DB9's handling balance depends on correct inflation.
- Inspect the cooling system at the start of summer: hose condition, coolant level, and reservoir cap seal. The DB9 runs warm in stop-and-go traffic.
- Verify A/C function and refrigerant charge early in the season — recharging a European specialty car's A/C system is more involved than on a mainstream vehicle.
- Watch for heat soak after parking: if the car has been sitting in a hot lot, let the engine idle briefly before driving hard to allow oil pressure to normalize.
Comparable vehicles
2009 Porsche
911 Carrera
Similar price point and GT mission, but significantly better reliability, parts availability, and dealer/independent shop support in the Midwest. Less exotic, far more practical as a driver.
2009 Ferrari
612 Scaglietti
Same 2+2 GT segment, similar V12 character and hand-built appeal. Ferrari's dealer network is marginally better, but ownership costs are comparably high.
2009 Bentley
Continental GT
Comparable price, similar grand touring mission with a W12, more usable interior. Ownership costs are similarly high but parts sourcing through VW Group is somewhat easier.
2009 Mercedes-Benz
SL 550
More accessible running costs, strong AMG-adjacent performance, and a far wider service network in Wisconsin. Less exotic but considerably more reliable day-to-day.
No catalog matchIf you're shopping for one
Red flags
- No service records or vague ownership history — walk away
- Any evidence of overheating (white residue around coolant reservoir, milky oil, staining on engine bay)
- Transmission that hesitates, slips, or clunks during the test drive
- Accident history involving the aluminum structure — repairs are extremely costly and quality varies widely
- Mismatched or peeling interior leather — suggests a history of storage moisture issues or deferred cosmetic maintenance that often accompanies deferred mechanical maintenance
- Warning lights on at time of sale, or a seller unwilling to allow a pre-purchase inspection
What to inspect
- Full documented service history is non-negotiable — insist on records showing oil changes, coolant service, and transmission fluid changes at proper intervals
- Pre-purchase inspection by an Aston Martin specialist or a shop experienced with low-volume British exotics; a general mechanic will miss DB9-specific issues
- Cooling system: check for leaks at hose connections, reservoir condition, and any signs of overheating history (staining around the cap, head gasket indicators in coolant)
- Touchtronic II transmission: test for smooth paddle shifts across all ranges, hesitation, or shudder under acceleration — repairs start at $2,500+
- Adaptive suspension: drive over a variety of surfaces and confirm damping modes change; faults here are expensive and parts lead times can be long
- All electronics: infotainment, windows, convertible latches if applicable, HVAC blower, and instrument cluster — Ford-era electronics are known to develop gremlins
- Undercarriage condition if the car has spent any time in the upper Midwest or salt-belt states
- Tire condition and age (check DOT date code) — performance tires over 6 years old should be replaced regardless of tread depth