Not so,well, Rapide with the engine at idle.
Aston Martin is recalling DB9, Virage, V8 Vantage, V12 Vantage and Rapide sports cars manufactured during 2012 and 2013 because the gas pedal arm may break leaving the engine idling with the driver unable to make any speed corrections.
More than 2,800 sports cars are affected because of a pedal manufacturing defect that first appeared at a press preview in March. Aston Martin in the required NHTSA filing said that it suspected ‘heavy use” of the British-made gas pedal assembly was the root cause, bringing another shade of meaning to the term lead-foot.
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 and covers all models built from 14 May 2012 through 10 April 2013, but not the New Vanquish, Graz Manufactured Rapide or Cygnet.
As always, owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or go to www.safercar.gov.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
