Aston Martin Vanquish (2nd Gen) Common Problems & Reliability
The 2nd-gen Vanquish features a full carbon-fiber body and updated V12. It is a masterpiece of design but requires careful inspection of the bodywork and electronics.
Select a Model Year Period
Detailed fault breakdown, symptoms, and estimated repair bills by production year.
Most Common Aston Martin Vanquish (2nd Gen) Faults & Repair Costs
Haptic Button & Infotainment Glitches
The second-generation Vanquish introduced a capacitive glass centre console with haptic feedback and a motorised pop-up 6.5-inch infotainment display. Early 2012–2014 vehicles frequently suffer from unresponsive glass buttons, erratic touch vibrations, and motorized screen gears sticking or jamming in the dashboard. Additionally, physical push-buttons for the PRND transmission controls can loosen or collapse behind the centre console fascia due to failing plastic retainers, requiring centre stack removal.
Centre console capacitive glass buttons fail to respond or register repeated ghost touches, Motorised 6.5-inch infotainment display jams halfway or fails to rise from the dashboard, PRND transmission push-button assembly collapses inward behind the centre stack fascia, Infotainment display goes blank or suffers random system reboots on startup
- Press every capacitive glass button on the waterfall console to verify haptic buzz and function
- Cycle the ignition and toggle the motorised screen multiple times to verify smooth travel
- Check that the PRND transmission buttons are firmly seated without flex or inward movement
- Inspect service history for software updates to the Garmin navigation and AMi infotainment
Carbon Fiber Body Damage
Every exterior body panel on the second-generation Vanquish is constructed from lightweight carbon fibre mounted to the VH generation IV aluminium architecture. Because carbon composite cannot be panel-beaten or pulled like steel or aluminium, even minor impacts cause delamination, structural cracking, or splintering. The low front splitter and rear aero diffuser are especially vulnerable to UK speed cushions, steep driveways, and high kerbs, with replacement OEM splitters costing thousands.
Visible gouging, scuffing, or shattered weave on the low-slung front carbon-fibre splitter, Fine hairline cracks or milky clouding in the lacquer above carbon composite weave, Uneven panel gaps around wings and bonnet indicating previous composite stress or impact, Cracking around undertray fixing points and rear aerodynamic diffuser fins
- Run a hand along the entire leading underside edge of the front splitter to detect scrape damage
- Inspect front wings, sills, and rear haunches under bright light for stress cracks or repairs
- Check that all carbon weave directions align uniformly across adjacent panels and shut lines
- Examine underbody composite undertrays on a workshop lift for grounding damage or fractures
Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) Brake Rotor Wear and Chipping
The AM310 Vanquish features third-generation Brembo Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes as standard equipment, utilizing massive 398mm ventilated discs up front and 360mm discs at the rear. While ceramic rotors can last in excess of 100,000 road miles, careless wheel changes without guide pins easily chip the fragile rotor edges, rendering them an MOT failure. Furthermore, track driving causes thermal oxidation and surface pitting, requiring disc weighing rather than simple thickness measurement to assess wear.
Visible edge chipping or surface spalling on the perimeter of carbon-ceramic brake discs, Loud squealing or grinding under low-speed moderate pedal pressure when cold, High-frequency pedal pulsation or judder during high-speed deceleration, Rough, pitted rotor face texture indicating advanced matrix oxidation and degradation
- Closely inspect the outer circumference of all four ceramic discs for impact chips from wheel changes
- Review specialist service invoices for recorded minimum disc weights stamped on the rotor hats
- Check brake pad friction material thickness and verify that wear sensors have not triggered warnings
- Test firm deceleration from 60mph to ensure smooth, straight-line braking without vibrations
Bilstein Adaptive Damping System (ADS) Fluid Leaks and Sensor Errors
All 2nd-gen Vanquish models utilize a Bilstein three-stage Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Normal, Sport, and Track modes. The high operating pressures and punishing UK road surfaces cause damper shaft seal weeping and internal valving deterioration over time. Additionally, vertical accelerometer sensors and wiring harnesses at the wheel arches suffer moisture ingress and road grit damage, causing the adaptive chassis module to default to maximum stiffness accompanied by dashboard suspension warnings.
Fluid misting or heavy oil weeping down the bodies of the Bilstein adaptive dampers, Suspension Warning or ADS Fault warning message displayed on the digital instrument cluster, Harsh, unyielding ride quality as the adaptive damping system locks into default emergency stiff mode, Knocking or clunking sounds from the front or rear suspension over uneven tarmac and potholes
- Toggle through Normal, Sport, and Track suspension modes on the steering wheel while driving
- Inspect all four damper bodies for signs of hydraulic fluid leakage or damaged dust boots
- Scan the vehicle control module for logged accelerometer and damping actuator error codes
- Listen for knocking over rough surfaces indicating worn damper top mounts or drop links
Quiescent Battery Drain and Low-Voltage Electrical Errors
The Vanquish AM310 features an intricate multi-CANbus network with constant background draw from keyless entry modules, vehicle trackers, and alarm back-up sounders. If left parked without a battery conditioner for more than 10 to 14 days, the heavy quiescent load discharges the AGM battery. Cranking with degraded system voltage causes communication timeouts between powertrain modules, triggering phantom Check Engine, Check Emissions, ABS, and gearbox limp-home errors that confuse owners.
Sluggish starter motor cranking or complete failure to start after standing idle for two weeks, Spurious Check Engine or Check Emissions warning lights triggered immediately upon cold startup, Electric window drop-glass indexing fails, snagging glass against the swan-door weatherstrips, Intermittent transmission service warnings or limp-mode gear selection errors upon startup
- Check that the car is supplied with a functioning OEM Aston Martin or CTEK battery conditioner
- Test the resting voltage of the AGM battery in the boot; it should register at least 12.6V
- Verify window drop-glass calibration drops slightly when lifting the exterior door handles
- Scan vehicle modules for low-voltage communication fault codes (U-codes) using AMDS diagnostic tool
Buying a used Aston Martin Vanquish (2nd Gen)? Always check for hidden finance and write-off history.
Mechanical problems are only half the battle. Over 1 in 3 UK used cars checked have unpaid finance or accident write-off records that could cause you to lose the car or thousands in value.