RECALL ALERT: That's NOT Good — 689 Aston Martins Recalled Over Faulty Throttle Pedal Arm

We'll be straightforward. Some recalls are critical and others are just a bit of a hassle.

When I had to have my rear seatbelts fixed in my 2004 Volkswagen Touareg it was simply another trip — one of many, believe you me — to the dealer for a 20 min fix. Others, on the other hand, are downright frightening.

An example of that can be found on Aston Martins — the DB9, Virage, V8 Vantage, V12 Vantage and Rapide — manufactured between May 2012 through April 2013. According to a recall issued by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the throttle pedal arm may break.

The good news is if it breaks it won't give you wide open throttle, instead revs will return to idle and you're essentially up a creek without a paddle.

That said, make sure if you've got an Aston fitting the above criteria you have it adjusted as soon as possible.

Be careful out there, Spies!


NHTSA's press release follows:

RECALL Subject : Throttle Pedal Arm May Break
Report Receipt Date: MAY 29, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V228000
Component(s): VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Potential Number of Units Affected: 689
Manufacturer: Aston Martin Lagonda of North America

SUMMARY:
Aston Martin is recalling certain model year DB9, Virage, V8 Vantage, V12 Vantage, and Rapide vehicles manufactured from May 14, 2012, through April 10, 2013. Due to a manufacturing error, the throttle pedal arm may break.

CONSEQUENCE:
If the throttle pedal arm breaks, the engine will return to idle and the driver will be unable to maintain or increase engine speed, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:
Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the throttle pedal assemblies. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's recall number is RA-03-0016.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

MorePower - 6/14/2013 12:29:01 AM

+1 Boost

I would think that a seatbelt malfunction/recall would be a critical issue, especially considering that those likely to be traveling in the rear seats.

Just because you feel that some repairs/recalls are trivial, does not mean that others feel that way. If there is chance that a defect can directly attribute to a loss of life, when properly used and maintained, it should be recalled.

Agent00R - 6/14/2013 9:28:16 AM

+1 Boost

See since you didnt actually go thru the recall you dont know how ridiculous it was.

They didn't replace the belts. They simply added another metal pass thru for the belt. Pretty lame fix imho.

Yonder7 - 6/14/2013 8:49:08 AM

+1 Boost

So users wont be able to reach 200 mph....lol..how many were recalled ? 10? ha ha...