Voluntary Emissions Recall Report_EPA 

Ref: 40CFR §85.1901-1908 

* Please refer to the Field Service Action document - FSA163 - when reading this report * 

§85.1904(a)(1) Vehicle Description 

1. Aston Martin DB9 Coupe and Volante passenger cars within the minicompact vehicle 

class. 

Test groups affected are 7ASXV05.9803 and 8ASXV05.9803 

Vehicles affected are within the VIN range 7GA06678 to 8GB10159 inclusive – this 

amounts to 999 US market vehicles, which includes 274 vehicles in California and 28 

vehicles in Canada. 

2. Aston Martin V8 Vantage Hatchback and Roadster passenger cars within the two seater 

vehicle class. 

Test groups affected are 6ASXV04.3305, 7ASXV04.3305 and 8ASXV04.3305 

Vehicles affected are within the VIN range 6GC00003 to 8GD09773 inclusive – this 

amounts to 2978 US market vehicles, which includes 789 vehicles in California and 117 

vehicles in Canada. 

 

§85.1904(a)(2) Description of the nonconformity and intended repair 

As part of Aston Martin’s continuous quality analysis, we have determined that a valve in the 

fuel filler cap of certain V8 Vantages and DB9s may temporarily stick in the open position. This 

will cause the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) to appear in the Driver’s Display Module. If this 

happens, the vehicle may be releasing evaporative air pollutants which exceed California and 

Federal standards, even though there should be no adverse effect on vehicle performance, 

fuel economy, or driveability. 

The filler cap repair kit will consist of a replacement fuel filler cap valve body with a new 

retaining ring, a repair label to be affixed to the vehicle and a Proof of Correction Certificate to 

be completed by the repairing dealer and given to the vehicle owner. 

The existing vehicle fuel filler cap cosmetic cover and tether will be re-used. 

§85.1904(a)(3) Owner Notification 

POLK associates will be requested to provide a customer database. 

Every owner will be contacted in writing by Aston Martin Service Operations requesting that 

they make a dealer service appointment to have the rectification work carried out. The letter 

will contain the wording “In order to ensure your full protection under the emissions warranty 

provisions, it is recommended that you have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible. Failure 

to do so could be determined as lack of proper maintenance of your vehicle” 

Dealers will be issued with a Field Service Action document (FSA163) that will give instructions 

for completion of the repair. 

EPA VERR# 4248 

Received: June 10, 2011
§85.1904(a)(4) Any eligibility for repair conditions 

None to be advised, all vehicles within the VIN ranges are eligible for repair. 

§85.1904(a)(5) Rectification Procedure 

The owner must respond to the owner notification letter by making an appointment at their 

dealer to have the rectification work carried out. 

The use of the official Aston Martin dealership network to conduct the work is mandatory. 

The time to carry out the work is approximately 30 minutes. 

The effective campaign launch date is expected to be April 2, 2008. 

§85.1904(a)(6) Notification of any deviation from the use of official dealers 

Deviation from the use of the official Aston Martin dealership network will be prohibited 

§85.1904(a)(7) Copy of the Notification Letter 

This is contained within the Rectification Instruction (FSA163) as an information copy 

§85.1904(a)(8) Parts Supply Plan 

 

Parts sufficient to cover 60% of all vehicles subject to recall will be in place at the point at 

which the owner notification letters are issued. The remainder will be provided to Aston Martin 

within 1 month of the commencement of the campaign. Parts will be supplied from the 

Memphis based parts distribution center as required on a 24 hour delivery basis. 

The Fuel Cap Service Kit will be released on March 14, 2008. 

§85.1904(a)(9) Copy of the Rectification Instruction 

Aston Martin Field Service Action FSA163 is attached 

EPA VERR# 4248 

Received: June 10, 2011
§85.1904(a)(10) Description of the Impact of the Rectification work on fuel economy, 

driveability, performance or safety 

The repair will ensure the vehicle is returned to its original design intent level of evaporative 

system performance. 

Safe operation of the vehicle is not compromised either before or after the repair. 

There is no impact upon fuel economy or driveability either before or after the repair. 

Warranty returned parts were examined for defects and it was determined that detail design 

changes could be made to the filler cap valve spring retainer to allow correct operation of the 

cap in service. 

The component supplier was tasked with a re-tooling exercise. This was followed by 

performance evaluation based upon a lifetime duty cycle for the component. 

Revised components pass the lifetime duty cycle test. 

§85.1904(a)(11) A sample of the campaign label

 

Please refer to the FSA163 document for actual size examples of the repair label to be affixed 

to the repaired vehicle and also the ‘Proof of Correction’ certificate that will be handed to the 

vehicle owner upon completion. 

§85.1904(b) Reporting 

Aston Martin Aftersales Operations will report on the progress of the recall campaign by 

submitting reports to Director, Manufacturers Operations Division, EPA, Washington DC. for 

six consecutive quarters commencing with the quarter after the recall campaign begins. 

Ref: FSA163 Mar 08 

Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd 

EPA VERR# 4248 

Received: June 10, 2011
Note: This copy of the Customer letter is for your information only. 

Do not send this letter to the owner, Aston Martin will do this. 

(Customer Name) 

(Customer Address 1) 

(Customer Address 2) 

(Customer City/County) 

(Customer Country) 

VIN: (Customer’s Vehicle) 

Dear (Customer Name), 

V8 Vantage (06, 07 and 08 Model Year) and DB9 (07 and 08 Model Year) 

Field Service Action (FSA 163) – Fuel Filler Cap Valve. 

Effective Campaign Date: 2nd April 2008. 

As part of Aston Martin’s continuous quality analysis, we have determined that a valve in the fuel filler cap of 

certain V8 Vantages and DB9s may temporarily stick in the open position. This will cause the Malfunction 

Indicator Light (MIL) to appear in the Driver’s Display Module. If this happens, your vehicle may be releasing 

evaporative air pollutants which exceed California and Federal standards, even though there should be no adverse 

effect on vehicle performance, fuel economy, or driveability. 

If your vehicle has a defective fuel filler cap valve and it is not repaired, your vehicle may fail a vehicle inspection 

or Smog Check test when such tests are required under state law. Moreover, a certificate showing that your vehicle 

has been repaired under this FSA Recall program will be issued by your Dealer and may be required as a 

condition of vehicle registration or operation, as appropriate. 

In order to ensure your full protection under the emissions warranty provisions, it is recommended that you have 

your vehicle serviced as soon as possible. Failure to do so could be determined as lack of proper maintenance of 

your vehicle. 

Your Aston Martin Dealer will be pleased to inspect and repair the fuel filler cap on your vehicle at no charge to 

you. The procedure will take a maximum of 30 minutes. The Dealer will give you a “Proof of Correction” 

certificate and you will need this when you next register your vehicle. While your vehicle is at your Dealer, any 

other non-recall Field Service Actions that have not been done will be evaluated. Your Dealer will be able to tell 

you how long your vehicle will be needed for any such additional work and if necessary, re-schedule their 

appointments.

Please call your Dealer to schedule an appointment at your earliest opportunity. If you have any difficulty in 

obtaining this repair, please call Aston Martin North America Customer Service at 1-800-266-8960. 

If you no longer own this vehicle (or if the address we have for you is incorrect), please complete the enclosed 

form addressed to Aston Martin and provide the name and address of the person to whom the vehicle was sold or 

transferred (or your correct address). Send the form in the pre-paid envelope (enclosed), by fax to 949-341-6155 

or by e-mail to amtec@astonmartin.com. 

We apologise for any inconvenience we have caused you and we thank you for your patience and cooperation in 

having this service performed as soon as possible. 

Yours faithfully, 

Chris E Baker 

General Manager - After Sales Operations

Enclosures – Reply Form and Pre-Paid Envelope 

EPA VERR# 4248 

Received: June 10, 2011
V8 Vantage and DB9 - All Models 

Field Service Action FSA 163

Subject: Fuel Filler Cap Valve

CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR OWNERSHIP 

Vehicle Identification Number Registration Number 

(Where Known) 

 

Please tick the applicable box: 

I do not own/operate this vehicle now. The vehicle has been: 

 - Stolen (1) 

 - Scrapped (2) 

 - Sold/transferred to a new owner (3) 

 - Part exchanged at an Aston Martin dealer (4) 

 - Part exchanged at a non-Aston Martin Dealer (5) 

 - Declared an insurance write-off (6) 

 - Permanently exported to another country (7) 

 - Returned to the lease company (8) 

 - Sold at Auction (9) 

 - The address you have used is incorrect (10) 

If you have ticked a box from (3) to (10), please record the latest known keeper information below: 

Business Name

Title

First Name

Last Name

Address Line 1 

Address Line 2 

Town

County

Post Code

Country

Signature: Date: 

Please return this form to: Aston Martin Lagonda of North America Inc. 

One Premier Place, Irvine, CA 92618, in the supplied pre-paid envelope. 

Or if you prefer, you can Fax it to 949-341-6155 or scan and e-mail to amtec@astonmartin.com. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION

EPA VERR# 4248 

Received: June 10, 2011
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EPA VERR# 4248 

Received: June 10, 2011