Touchtronic 2 Transmission Shifting Problems
high- Typically appears
- 60–90k mi
- Estimated repair
- $2,000 – $4,500
2011 Aston
Martin DB9
5.9L V12
The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is a hand-built British grand tourer powered by a 5.9L naturally aspirated V12. It's one of the most visually stunning cars of its era, and the driving experience — long-legged highway cruising with a genuine sports-car soul — lives up to the looks. This generation DB9 was built on Aston's VH (Vertical Horzontal) bonded aluminum platform, keeping weight down while delivering a rigid, refined structure. Owning a DB9 is a completely different proposition than owning a luxury sport sedan. Parts are expensive, specialists are rare, and almost every service item costs multiples of what you'd pay on a German or Japanese competitor. That said, owners who budget correctly and maintain it diligently report years of trouble-free driving — the V12 itself is robust when properly cared for. For a shop in the Lake Geneva area, the biggest practical concerns are winter storage (most owners wisely lay these up November–April), battery maintenance during storage, and the fact that road salt is genuinely destructive to the aluminum and carbon-fiber underpinnings. If this car is being driven year-round in Wisconsin, inspection frequency should increase significantly.
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 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is a hand-built British grand tourer powered by a 5.9L naturally aspirated V12. It's one of the most visually stunning cars of its era, and the driving experience — long-legged highway cruising with a genuine sports-car soul — lives up to the looks. This generation DB9 was built on Aston's VH (Vertical Horzontal) bonded aluminum platform, keeping weight down while delivering a rigid, refined structure. Owning a DB9 is a completely different proposition than owning a luxury sport sedan. Parts are expensive, specialists are rare, and almost every service item costs multiples of what you'd pay on a German or Japanese competitor. That said, owners who budget correctly and maintain it diligently report years of trouble-free driving — the V12 itself is robust when properly cared for. For a shop in the Lake Geneva area, the biggest practical concerns are winter storage (most owners wisely lay these up November–April), battery maintenance during storage, and the fact that road salt is genuinely destructive to the aluminum and carbon-fiber underpinnings. If this car is being driven year-round in Wisconsin, inspection frequency should increase significantly.
Known for
- Hand-built 5.9L naturally aspirated V12 — 510 hp, deeply satisfying sound
- Bonded aluminum VH platform — light, stiff, and refined
- Grand tourer character: comfortable enough for long drives, exciting enough for canyon roads
- Extremely high parts and labor costs relative to volume-market competitors
- Tactile, analog driving feel compared to modern tech-heavy GT cars
Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a special-occasion or weekend car and budget accordingly
- Drivers who value handcrafted British character over German precision engineering
- Owners who plan to store the car during Wisconsin winters
- Collectors comfortable with low-production-run ownership costs
Watch for
- Annual maintenance costs that easily exceed $3,000–$6,000 even without major repairs
- Electrical gremlins — the infotainment and body electronics are known weak spots
- Coolant system leaks that can escalate into serious engine damage if ignored
- Transmission shifting problems (Touchtronic 2 auto) in the 60k–90k mi range
- Very limited local dealer/specialist availability — nearest Aston dealer may be 50+ miles away
Common issues by mileage
6 knownCoolant Leaks from Engine / Cooling System
high- Typically appears
- 50–80k mi
- Estimated repair
- $600 – $1,200
Random / Multiple Cylinder Misfires
medium- Typically appears
- 70–90k mi
- Estimated repair
- $350 – $800
Catalyst System Efficiency / O2 Sensor Faults
medium- Typically appears
- 75–100k mi
- Estimated repair
- $900 – $2,000
Fuel System Lean Conditions (Bank 1 & 2)
medium- Typically appears
- 60–80k mi
- Estimated repair
- $250 – $600
Electrical / Infotainment System Failures
high- Typically appears
- 40–70k mi
- Estimated repair
- $400 – $1,200
Maintenance schedule
- 1 Every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first Oil & Filter Change (V12)
The 5.9L V12 holds approximately 8.5 quarts and requires a full synthetic oil meeting Aston Martin's spec. Stretching this interval risks sludge buildup in the VVT passages, which can trigger camshaft timing codes. Budget ~$300 at an independent shop using correct-spec oil.
- 2 Every 30,000 miles or 36 months Coolant System Inspection & Flush
Coolant leaks are a well-documented issue on this generation DB9. Inspect hoses, the coolant reservoir, and all hard-line connections at every oil change. A full flush on schedule prevents the acidic coolant breakdown that accelerates gasket and seal degradation.
- 3 Every 20,000 miles or 24 months Brake Fluid Change
The DB9 uses a high-performance brake system with large rotors. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, lowering boiling point — a real concern on a car capable of hard stops from triple-digit speeds. Don't skip this interval.
- 4 Every 60,000 miles or 72 months Transmission Fluid Change (Touchtronic 2)
The Touchtronic 2 automatic is the most common major failure point on the DB9. Fresh fluid on schedule is cheap insurance. If shifting hesitation or harsh engagement appears before the interval, service it immediately and have the TCM inspected.
- 5 Every 5,000–6,000 miles Tire Rotation & Pressure Check
The DB9 runs staggered performance tires (wider in the rear). Rotation patterns are limited but still beneficial. Check cold pressures monthly — these tires are expensive and uneven wear from neglected rotation adds up fast.
- 6 Any time the car sits more than 2–3 weeks Battery Tender / Trickle Charger During Storage
The DB9 has significant parasitic draw from its alarm and body electronics. A discharged battery can trigger a cascade of electrical faults that are time-consuming and expensive to diagnose. A quality battery maintainer is mandatory for Wisconsin storage season.
- 7 Every spring (post-winter) Underbody & Chassis Inspection for Corrosion
If this car is driven on salted Wisconsin roads at all, a thorough underbody inspection each spring is critical. The bonded aluminum structure is corrosion-resistant, but fasteners, brake components, and exhaust hardware are not. Catch rust early — repairs escalate quickly on low-production vehicles.
- 8 Every 30,000–40,000 miles Spark Plug Replacement
A V12 means 12 plugs. Labor alone is significant because of tight packaging. Worn plugs contribute directly to misfire codes (P0300) and lean-condition faults. Do not defer this — a misfire on a $180k+ car can damage catalytic converters quickly.
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. At 15 MPG combined and ~10,000 miles/year, expect $2,000–$2,800/year in fuel at current Midwest prices. City driving hits closer to 12 MPG.
Insurance
Expect $2,500–$5,000+/year depending on agreed-value vs. stated-value policy, driving history, and whether the car is garaged. Specialty/collector car insurance is worth exploring if annual mileage is low.
The DB9 is not an expensive car to buy — it's an expensive car to own. Budget $2,500–$6,000/year for routine maintenance alone at an independent shop that knows British exotics. Add a realistic $1,500–$3,000/year contingency for unplanned repairs once the car is past 60k miles. Parts often require overseas sourcing with long lead times. Total annual cost of ownership (maintenance + fuel + insurance, excluding depreciation) typically runs $8,000–$15,000/year for an active driver.
Seasonal care
Lake Geneva, WI Winter
- Do not drive on salted roads if avoidable — road salt attacks brake hardware, exhaust components, and fasteners aggressively. Storage is strongly recommended November through April in Wisconsin.
- Before storage: perform a fresh oil change so acidic combustion byproducts don't sit in the engine all winter.
- Connect a battery maintainer (trickle charger) for the full storage period. The DB9's electronics draw enough current to discharge and damage the battery within weeks.
- Store on a hard, level surface — never directly on bare concrete if possible. Inflate tires to maximum sidewall pressure or use tire cradles to prevent flat-spotting.
- If driven in cold weather, allow an extended warm-up period (2–3 minutes at idle) before load. The V12 benefits from reaching operating temperature before hard use.
- Use a high-quality winter-rated washer fluid rated to at least -30°F. The DB9's washer jets are low to the hood and can ice up quickly in Wisconsin freeze-thaw cycles.
Summer
- Check tire pressures cold every 2–3 weeks in summer — heat increases pressure and these high-performance tires are sensitive to overinflation at speed.
- Inspect the A/C system each spring before first use. Refrigerant leaks are slow to develop but the DB9's A/C condenser sits very low and is vulnerable to road debris.
- Monitor coolant temperature closely in stop-and-go traffic. The DB9's cooling system is sized for highway use; prolonged city idling in summer heat can push temps up. If the gauge climbs above normal, pull over — coolant system issues are already a known weakness.
- Inspect the underbody and wheel arches after any track events or aggressive driving — the low ground clearance (approximately 4.5 in) makes road debris contact more likely in summer construction zones.
Comparable vehicles
2011 Ferrari
California
Similar price point (~$195k new), V8 grand tourer with a usable cabin, comparable ownership cost profile. More dealer/specialist presence in the Midwest.
2011 Bentley
Continental GT
Twin-turbo W12 GT coupe in the same price bracket. More refined and better-supported parts network, but heavier and less driver-focused than the DB9.
2011 Mercedes-Benz
SL63 AMG
Naturally aspirated V8 roadster/coupe with similar performance and GT character. Significantly better parts availability and dealer support across Wisconsin.
No catalog match
2011 Porsche
911 Carrera S
Lower price point used, but strong reliability reputation, excellent Midwest dealer/specialist network, and much lower ownership costs — a rational alternative for someone who values driving feel.