OBD-II trouble code
U0213: Lost Communication With Mirror Control Module
The mirror control module has gone silent on the network — power mirrors, folding, heating, memory, or auto-dim functions stop responding.
Quick facts
- System
- Network
- Category
- Network Communication
- Severity
- Medium severity
- Drivable
- Usually safe to drive short-term
- Repair cost range
- $50 – $600
- DIY difficulty
- Advanced DIY
What does U0213 mean?
On vehicles with feature-rich mirrors — power fold, memory positions, heating, auto-dimming, puddle lamps, camera or blind-spot elements — a dedicated mirror control module (or the door module handling mirror duties) coordinates it all on the network. U0213 sets when other modules stop receiving its messages.
The cause hierarchy is the familiar one, with a door-specific twist: wiring between body and door flexes thousands of times through the door-jamb boot, and broken conductors in that boot are a signature failure for anything door-mounted. After that come fuses, grounds, connector corrosion, and — least often — the module itself. Transient low-voltage events can log this code spuriously, as with all U-codes.
Symptoms map to the mirror features going dumb: no adjustment, no fold, no heat, no memory recall. The car drives normally. Inspect the jamb boot wiring with the door swung through its travel — a wire that opens only at certain door angles is the classic intermittent presentation here.
Common causes
- Broken wires in the door-jamb boot (flex fatigue) — the classic cause
- Blown fuse or lost power/ground to the mirror/door module
- Corroded connector at the module or door harness
- Damaged CAN wiring to the door
- Failed mirror control module
- Water intrusion into the door shell
Symptoms
- Power mirror adjustment/folding/heating inoperative
- Memory mirror positions not recalling
- Auto-dim or approach-light features dead
- Symptoms possibly changing with door position (intermittent jamb wiring)
- Vehicle otherwise normal
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Clear the code and confirm it returns.
- 2.Work the door slowly through its travel while testing mirror functions — position-dependent behavior means jamb-boot wiring.
- 3.Pull back the door-jamb boot and inspect for broken or cracked conductors; repair with proper splices, not tape.
- 4.Check fuses and the module's power/ground feeds.
- 5.Attempt direct scan-tool communication with the mirror/door module.
- 6.Replace and configure the module only after wiring proves good.
Repair cost
$50 – $600
Jamb-boot wiring repairs are the common fix and run modest labor. A replacement mirror/door module with configuration runs $150-$600 by platform. If water got into the door, address the vapor barrier and drains too.
Estimate your repair
Run the numbers for your vehicle
Open the Repair Cost Estimator with control module replacement & programming preselected. Adjust labor rate and vehicle category to fit your situation.
DIY vs shop
This is an advanced DIY job. It typically requires specialty tools, scan-tool access, lifting equipment, or careful sequencing to avoid causing new failures. Plan for extended downtime and have a backup vehicle. Most owners are better served by a shop that has done this repair before.