
<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
   
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement No. 333-06041 of Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc. on Form S-3
of our report dated January 31, 1996 incorporated by reference in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K of Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc. for the year ended December
31, 1995 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the
Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement.
    
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
   
July 1, 1996
    
