VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Aston Martin DB920042016

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🏎️ SPORTS
Aston Martin DB9
20042016
B
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
1.3/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
Low
0 inj.
No open federal investigations
17
Recalls
0
Complaints
2016
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2006
13
Years Analyzed
17
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Aston Martin DB9

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK10yr old
2016
Good Buy · 71/100
Reliability76/100
Value window63/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#2 PICK11yr old
2015
Good Buy · 69/100
Reliability76/100
Value window56/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#3 PICK21yr old
2005
Good Buy · 63/100
Reliability76/100
Value window38/100
Recalls1
Complaints0

Aston Martin DB9 Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2006

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2009

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2012

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Aston Martin DB9 — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
201610
76
63
71
Caution
201510
76
56
69
Caution
201420
61
50
57
Avoid
201320
61
45
55
Avoid
201220
61
41
54
Avoid
201110
76
38
63
Caution
201010
76
38
63
Caution
200920
61
38
53
Avoid
200810
76
38
63
Caution
200710
76
38
63
Caution
200620
61
38
53
Avoid
200510
76
38
63
Caution
200400
81
38
66
Excellent

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the DB9 compares — best year within each era shown.

2013–2017

Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2016 (Buyer Score 71).

Best: 2016

Pre-2013

Older DB9 models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year DB9 to buy?+

The 2016 Aston Martin DB9 scores highest on our Buyer Score (71/100) — combining a reliability score of 76/100 with a value score of 63/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which DB9 years have the most problems?+

The 2006, 2009, 2012 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2006 DB9 leads with 2 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common DB9 problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

Run a VIN Check →