Aston Martin's first SUV, built at St Athan in Wales from 2020. The DBX pairs the proven Mercedes-AMG M177 twin-turbo V8 with a ZF 9-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, delivering 550 hp. Air suspension, a sophisticated electronics suite, and hand-finished interior give it a genuinely distinct character among luxury SUVs. Production volumes are small (around 5,000-6,000 per year across all Aston models), which limits development resources compared to rivals from Porsche or BMW.· more· less
Frequent electrical nigglesHigh recall count for a young model
Buy if: You want a distinctive luxury SUV with a strong V8 and can tolerate occasional dealer visits for electrical and software fixes.
Avoid if: You expect Porsche-level reliability, want low running costs, or will not have access to an Aston Martin dealer for warranty and recall work.
Loose electrical cables in the battery fuse box can cause engine stalls and loss of headlights or power steering · more· less
Aston Martin recalled 2,902 DBX models (2021-2024, built May 2020 to September 2023) for loose cable connections in the battery fuse box. The cables feed from the alternator, jumpstart point, and starter motor to the engine bay and rear cabin fuse boxes. Loose nuts can cause intermittent stalling, failure to start, or loss of headlights and power steering while driving. The recall fix involves replacing the original serrated nuts with flat nuts, spring washers, and flat washers, tightened to 12 Nm instead of the original 9 Nm specification. On a used car, verify this recall has been completed. If not yet done, the repair is free at any Aston Martin dealer.
Air suspension pressure loss and wear
up to €4,0002 of 8
Air bellows gradually lose pressure, causing uneven ride height and knocking noises from worn mounts · more· less
The adaptive air suspension is a complex system with bellows, sensors, compressor, and control unit. Gradual pressure loss in the bellows can cause the car to sit unevenly, particularly noticeable after standing overnight. Worn arm mounts and stabilizer connectors produce knocking and squeaking noises. Individual air strut replacement costs €1,500-2,500 per corner at a dealer. Rebuilt struts from specialists are available for less. The compressor can also fail, adding another €800-1,200. Most issues appear after 50,000-80,000 km depending on road conditions.
Rear suspension torque reaction link
up to €2,0003 of 8
Pin in the torque reaction link can slip out of position, potentially cracking the rear suspension arm · more· less
In April 2026, Aston Martin recalled nearly 4,000 DBX models globally (2021-2024 DBX, 2023-2026 DBX707, 2026 DBX S) for a rear suspension defect. A bolt with a smaller-diameter shank was used, allowing the pin in the torque reaction link to slide out of position. This can crack or even shear the rear lower suspension arm casting. Aston Martin reports three known cases globally out of 13,000+ vehicles, with one resulting in a collision after brake line damage. The fix involves replacing the bolts and inspecting for damage, free of charge at dealers. Verify completion on any used DBX.
Infotainment system malfunctions
up to €1,5004 of 8
Older Mercedes-derived infotainment causes backup camera glitches, navigation failures, and connectivity issues · more· less
The DBX uses an older-generation Mercedes-Benz infotainment system that has drawn widespread criticism. Common issues include backup camera image not displaying (requiring a full reboot), unreliable navigation, and inconsistent smartphone connectivity, particularly with iPhones. A recall affecting 2024-2025 models (including DBX707) addressed a bug where the home screen menu obstructed the rearview camera image in reverse. The fix requires a software update from a dealer or via OTA. Early cars (2020-2022) have the weakest infotainment iteration. While rarely safety-critical, these glitches are a persistent annoyance and reduce the ownership experience significantly.
12V battery drain
up to €5005 of 8
Battery drains within 7-10 days if the car is not driven or connected to a trickle charger · more· less
Parasitic electrical draw is a well-known characteristic of the DBX, as with many modern Aston Martins. The tracker, various always-on modules, and standby electronics draw enough current to flatten the battery within one to two weeks if the car is not driven. Some owners report the electrics not switching off properly with the ignition, accelerating drain further. The solution is straightforward: keep the car on a quality trickle charger (CTEK recommended) whenever parked for more than a few days. Battery replacement itself costs €300-500 for the AGM unit.
Random electronic warning lights and sensor errors
up to €1,5006 of 8
Voltage-sensitive systems trigger false warnings for stability control, engine management, and key recognition · more· less
Multiple owners report seemingly random warning lights appearing on the dashboard, including Engine Management System warnings, Key Not Recognized errors, and stability control faults. These are often traced to a slightly weakened 12V battery or loose fuse box connections (see separate recall item). Even a marginally low battery voltage can trigger a cascade of unrelated error messages. Ensuring the battery is in good health and the fuse box recall has been completed resolves most cases. Diagnosis at a dealer costs €150-300 per visit, and persistent sensor issues may require individual sensor replacement at €200-500 each.
Tailgate module failure
up to €1,5007 of 8
Electric tailgate control module fails, causing the tailgate to malfunction or not open/close properly · more· less
Some DBX owners have experienced repeated tailgate module failures requiring replacement. The electric tailgate uses a dedicated control module that can malfunction, preventing proper opening or closing. This has been reported alongside other build quality concerns such as loose exterior door trims from subpar mounting brackets and squeaky door handles. Module replacement at a dealer typically costs €500-1,000 including labor. While not universal, this is a recurring complaint in owner forums.
Turbo boost sensor or actuator issues
up to €2,5008 of 8
Boost pressure sensors or turbo control can cause brief power loss during hard acceleration · more· less
The M177 twin-turbo V8 is broadly reliable, but some DBX owners have reported brief power loss during hard acceleration, traced to boost pressure sensors or turbocharger control issues. Idle fluctuations after cold starts have also been noted. These tend to be sensor or software-related rather than mechanical turbo failure. A boost sensor replacement costs around €300-600 including diagnosis and labor. Actual turbo failure on the M177 is rare within the first 100,000 km when properly maintained with quality oil and regular service intervals.
Proven engine in a complex package with frequent electrical niggles
The M177 V8 is one of AMG's most reliable modern engines and is not the source of concern in the DBX. The issues are concentrated around Aston Martin's own electrical systems, build quality, and the complexity of air suspension and AWD integration. Multiple recalls in a short production span suggest quality control challenges typical of low-volume manufacturers. Most problems are fixable and not catastrophic, but they require dealer visits and can be frustrating. A well-maintained DBX with all recalls completed and a battery conditioner is a reasonably dependable ownership proposition.
Service history
Complete Aston Martin dealer or authorized specialist records essential. Verify annual 10,000-mile interval services.
Cold start
Start engine cold. Listen for unusual noises and watch for any warning lights during startup sequence.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including highway speeds. Check for warning lights, hesitation, and suspension noises.
Tires
Check tread depth and age (date codes). 22-inch staggered tires are expensive to replace. Look for uneven wear indicating alignment or suspension issues.
Specific for this vehicle
Verify all recalls completed
Contact Aston Martin with VIN to confirm battery fuse box (RA-63-1832), propshaft fastener (RA-51-1928), and rear suspension torque link recalls are all completed.
Check air suspension ride height overnight
If possible, leave the car parked overnight and check it is sitting level in the morning. Uneven ride height indicates air spring leaks.
Test all infotainment functions
Wait 30 seconds after startup for the system to boot. Test navigation, backup camera (engage reverse), phone pairing, and all touchscreen controls.
+ 4 more checksShow less
Battery health check
Ask for a battery voltage test. Readings below 12.4V with engine off suggest a weak battery that will cause cascading electrical errors.
Test electric tailgate operation
Open and close the tailgate multiple times using both the button and the key fob. It should operate smoothly without hesitation.
Inspect for door trim and handle quality
Check exterior door trims are firmly attached. Press door handles to check for squeaking or looseness, which indicates mounting bracket issues.
Listen for suspension knocks
Drive over speed bumps and rough surfaces at low speed. Listen for knocking or squeaking from worn suspension arm mounts and stabilizer links.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Battery fuse box loose electrical cables (2021-2024, built May 2020 - Sep 2023)Critical - verify completed
Front propeller shaft and differential fasteners (2021 models, Oct-Nov 2020 production)Verify completed
Rear suspension torque reaction link bolts (2021-2024 DBX, all production)Critical - verify completed
Rearview camera display obstruction - software update (2024-2025 DBX707)Verify if applicable
TPMS software not detecting slow punctures (2025-2026 models)Verify if applicable
Oil cooler hose burst risk (2023-2024 DBX707 only)Verify if applicable
The DBX has an unusually high recall count for such a young model. Contact Aston Martin with the VIN to verify all applicable recalls have been completed before purchase. Some recalls apply only to DBX707 variants, not the standard 550 hp model.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years / unlimited km)Expired on 2020-2022 models, may remain on 2023-2024
Rust perforation warranty (10 years)Active on all DBX models
Extended warrantyAvailable through Aston Martin dealers, up to 10 years
Aston Martin offers extended warranty plans on vehicles up to 10 years old, subject to a multi-point inspection. Given the DBX's electrical complexity and recall history, extended warranty coverage is strongly recommended for used buyers.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
