Aston Martin Vantage recall - Sportshift

[Dal3D]

Just a heads up:

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/aston-...

"Aston Martin has recalled 1658 Vantage models with the Sportshift automatic gearbox due to a software issue that can cause a loss of power.

The problem, which affects cars with Sportshift I and Sportshift II automated manuals built between June 2010 and September 2013, relates to incorrectly reset clutches after routine services. Around 350 affected cars are in the UK.

In an interview with Reuters, Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said: “In the normal course of events, when you make a software change, you have to re-teach the engagement position of the clutch. And most of our dealers around the world automatically did that.

Palmer said that if this is not done correctly by the garage, "it's possible that a car could initially stall while in operation”.

In this case, power to the assisted brakes and hydraulic steering can cut off, making it difficult to move the car to safety."

[HBradley]

You've got to love Andy Palmer:
“I blame us,” said Palmer. “Basically we should have explicitly said within the service action for the software that we should re-teach the clutch. We didn’t explicitly say that. Therefore we take responsibility for fixing it.”

[8Tech]

This is a dealership failure rather than a design failure. I think that if AM told the dealerships to carry out the clutch reset, and they have not, then its good of them to recall them. They should charge the dealers for the recall.

When you fit a tyre, I doubt the tyre manufacturer tells you to blow it up before you send the car on its way! The technician should already know these basics.