Many drivers are now struggling with the latest car technology, as modern systems start to infiltrate lists of most common breakdowns.
According to the latest data released by The AA, Body Control Module breakdowns have more than doubled since 2020. Currently, callouts related to this system stand at around 36,000 per year.
The Body Control Module is the onboard computer that acts as the electronic hub for many vehicle systems, including lights, windows, wipers, alarms and central locking. When a BCM develops a fault, multiple systems can be affected at once, often with little warning.
Common reasons for failure include something going wrong with the entry key chip, damage to the unit, or a computer glitch. However, compared to major causes of breakdowns, such as tyres and batteries, which are counted in their hundreds of thousands, faults with the Body Control Module are not as common. Yet they are rapidly increasing.
The top five reasons for AA callouts between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2026 were:
- 12-volt battery
- Tyres
- Engine / Clutch
- Alternator / Starter Motor
- Body Control Module
Why the body control module matters
The fact that the Body Control Module has entered the top five breakdown reasons should alert garages to the increase in importance that electronic systems are playing in modern cars.
While more traditional systems are causing more breakdowns, requiring The AA to attend, for workshops the situation is clear – cars are increasingly electronic powerhouses, alongside traditional mechanical machines.
Therefore, as more and more complex systems are added to vehicles, garages need to be up to speed with training and understanding, to ensure they can repair cars as efficiently as possible.
