A vehicle control apparatus prevents an unnecessary operation of an electric radiator fan motor 16 when a key switch 17 is turned on. The apparatus includes a main controller in the form of a microcomputer 6 for controlling the motor. A reset element 5 operates to reset the main controller for a predetermined time after the key switch is turned on. An auxiliary controller 9 controls the motor in place of the main controller when the main controller is abnormal. A switch 8 is provided for performing switching between a first condition in which the motor is controlled by the main controller and a second condition in which the motor is controlled by the auxiliary controller. An abnormality detector 7 detects an abnormality of the main controller and switches over the switch into the second condition when there is an abnormality of the main controller. An AND gate 10 is provided for disabling the output of the auxiliary controller during the time when the main controller is reset by the reset element.