A blown fuse or poor connection in the mirror control module's power or ground circuit.; Corroded, damaged, or disconnected wiring at the mirror connector or along the door harness.; Low battery voltage or a weak charging system causing the module to drop offline intermittently.; A failed mirror control module itself, often due to water intrusion or internal circuit failure.; A faulty body control module or gateway that is not properly relaying messages to the mirror module.; A shorted or open CAN bus wire between the mirror module and the rest of the network.

DTC codes / U02xx · Lost communication with a control module / U0213

U0213Lost Communication With Mirror Control Module

Q: What does code U0213 mean?

Lost Communication With Mirror Control Module. U0213 is a network communication code indicating that the module responsible for controlling the side mirrors has stopped reporting on the vehicle's controller area network (CAN) bus. The body control module or gateway has detected a loss of the periodic messages it expects from the mirror control module, often due to a wiring fault, low voltage, or a failed module.

U0213 is a network communication code indicating that the module responsible for controlling the side mirrors has stopped reporting on the vehicle's controller area network (CAN) bus. The body control module or gateway has detected a loss of the periodic messages it expects from the mirror control module, often due to a wiring fault, low voltage, or a failed module.

SystemNetwork

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityLow

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaLost communication with a control module

Symptoms you may notice

The power mirror adjustment, folding, or heating functions stop working on one or both sides.
A warning light or message appears on the dashboard indicating a communication or body system fault.
The mirror may be stuck in its last position and will not respond to the switch.
Memory seat or mirror preset functions may fail to recall the saved positions.
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the mirror was not recently adjusted.

Common causes, most likely first

A blown fuse or poor connection in the mirror control module's power or ground circuit.
Corroded, damaged, or disconnected wiring at the mirror connector or along the door harness.
Low battery voltage or a weak charging system causing the module to drop offline intermittently.
A failed mirror control module itself, often due to water intrusion or internal circuit failure.
A faulty body control module or gateway that is not properly relaying messages to the mirror module.
A shorted or open CAN bus wire between the mirror module and the rest of the network.

How to diagnose and fix it

Check all fuses related to the mirror control module and body control system, and replace any that are blown.
Inspect the battery voltage and charging system; a weak battery can cause communication codes without other obvious symptoms.
Visually inspect the wiring and connectors at the mirror, door jamb, and module for corrosion, chafing, or loose pins.
Use a scan tool to clear the code and see if it returns immediately; if it does, proceed with circuit testing.
Perform a voltage drop test on the power and ground circuits to the mirror control module to confirm they can carry current.
Check for continuity and resistance on the CAN bus wires at the mirror module connector to rule out an open or short.
If all wiring and power checks pass, substitute a known-good mirror control module or perform a module swap to confirm the fault.

What most technicians overlook with U0213

A weak or failing battery is a frequent culprit behind U0213 because the mirror control module may brown out during cranking and drop off the network without leaving other symptoms.
Water intrusion into the door mirror housing or the connector behind the door panel often corrodes pins and causes intermittent communication loss that only appears in wet weather.
The code can be set by a faulty body control module that fails to wake the mirror module, so replacing the mirror module without testing the gateway can be a costly misdiagnosis.
Aftermarket accessories tapped into the door harness, such as alarm sensors or window modules, can disturb the CAN bus and trigger U0213 even though the mirror module itself is healthy.
Some vehicles require a module configuration or initialization procedure after replacement, and skipping it will leave the code stored even with a good part installed.

Can I keep driving with U0213?

The vehicle remains safe to drive because the mirror control module is a comfort and convenience system, but you should avoid relying on power mirror adjustments and address the fault before moisture or wiring damage spreads. If the code is accompanied by other communication codes or drivability issues, have the vehicle inspected promptly.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.