Where Is the Fuse Box Located?

Q: Where Is the Fuse Box Typically Located?

A: Just like the fuse box in your house, the fuse box in your vehicle contains all of the fuses that protect the electrical circuits from overloading.

Most vehicles have two fuse boxes, with one under the hood and the other in the cabin. You can usually find the other fuse box in the dashboard on the driver’s side, but some manufacturers also place it below the glove box. If the interior fuse box isn’t there, you can try checking the luggage compartment.

In most Toyota Corolla models, you can find the interior fuse box on the driver’s side under the dashboard, while the fuse box under the hood is usually on the driver’s side near the battery. If you own a 2012-2014 Ford Focus, you’ll also find the fuse box in the engine on the driver’s side, while the interior fuse box is located on the passenger’s side, right below the glove box.

Some Buicks have another fuse box under the back seat cushion and Dodge Chargers frequently have a fuse box in the trunk along with the other fuse boxes. On mid-2000s vintage Ford XL model pickups, there may be only one fuse panel mounted over behind the passenger side kick panel and no fuse panel under the hood at all. 

Jeep Grand Cherokees (‘90s) have a fuse box under the hood and another one under the passenger side of the dash behind the kick panel.

The best source of information is the owner’s manual, which will also tell you which fuse does what. This is useful if you’re checking to find out why some electrical accessory doesn’t work.

Tips on How to Access the Fuse Box

If you’re trying to troubleshoot an existing electrical problem, the battery must be connected or you’ll probably never find it. Mechanics don’t disconnect the battery when checking fuses or looking for an electrical issue.

Once you’ve located the fuse box, you’ll have to take the cover off to access it, but keep it close. Most manufacturers include a diagram of the fuses on the back of the cover, so you can use it as a guide.