A vehicle control device including a push switch disposed in a passenger compartment of a vehicle and capable of being pressed by a driver of the vehicle, and a control unit which is capable of performing a control process for controlling a state of operation of a drive source of the vehicle, or a state of supply of electric power to a vehicle-mounted component (18, 20, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44, 46, 48, 50, 58, 62, 70), in response to pressing of the push switch, wherein the control unit inhibits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch when a prescribed condition is met in the vehicle, the vehicle control device comprising: a fault detecting unit for detecting an occurrence of a fault in the vehicle, wherein: if the prescribed condition is not met, the control unit permits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch according to a first operating method; if the prescribed condition is met, the control unit inhibits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch according to the first operating method, and permits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch according to a second operating method, which requires a longer operating period or more operating events than the first operating method; and if the occurrence of the fault is detected by the fault detecting unit, the control unit permits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch according to the first operating method, regardless of whether or not the prescribed condition has been met. a fault detecting unit for detecting an occurrence of a fault in the vehicle, wherein: if the prescribed condition is not met, the control unit permits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch according to a first operating method; if the prescribed condition is met, the control unit inhibits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch according to the first operating method, and permits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch according to a second operating method, which requires a longer operating period or more operating events than the first operating method; and if the occurrence of the fault is detected by the fault detecting unit, the control unit permits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch according to the first operating method, regardless of whether or not the prescribed condition has been met. if the prescribed condition is not met, the control unit permits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch according to a first operating method; if the prescribed condition is met, the control unit inhibits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch according to the first operating method, and permits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch according to a second operating method, which requires a longer operating period or more operating events than the first operating method; and if the occurrence of the fault is detected by the fault detecting unit, the control unit permits the control process in response to pressing of the push switch according to the first operating method, regardless of whether or not the prescribed condition has been met.