Chevrolet Cruze Fuse Box: Location & Guide
TL;DR
The Cruze uses an underhood fuse/relay block near the battery plus an interior fuse block by the driver's left knee; both lids carry the fuse map, and it is also printed in the owner's manual.
Where the Chevrolet Cruze fuse boxes are located
Every Cruze generation sold in North America uses two fuse panels. The underhood fuse block sits at the front of the engine bay, usually on the driver's side near the battery, protected by a black plastic cover held down by snap clips or a small lever latch - lift the latch or squeeze the clip tabs and the lid lifts straight off. The interior fuse block is mounted under the dashboard on the driver's side. On most Cruze models it is to the left of the steering column, behind a removable trim panel near the knee bolster; you generally pull the panel edge toward you to unclip it. On some early first-generation cars the interior panel is instead tucked behind a small end-cap at the far left of the dash. Neither box requires tools to open - both are designed for owners to access for routine fuse checks.
Fuse box locations by generation
| Generation / years (NA) | Fuse box | Location | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation, 2011-2015 (J300) | Underhood block | Front of engine bay, driver's side, near battery | Unclip and lift the plastic cover |
| First generation, 2011-2015 (J300) | Interior block | Under dash, left end or left of steering column | Pull off end-cap or lower trim panel |
| Second generation, 2016-2019 (US); produced longer in some Latin American markets | Underhood block | Front of engine bay, driver's side, near battery | Release the lever latch and lift the cover |
| Second generation, 2016-2019 (US); produced longer in some Latin American markets | Interior block | Under dash, left of steering column near knee bolster | Unclip the lower dash panel and swing it down |
The Cruze does not have a separate trunk-mounted fuse box in either generation - both fuse panels described above cover the entire vehicle.
Finding the official fuse legend
Do not rely on generic charts for exact fuse positions and amperages - these shift by model year, engine, and equipment level. The authoritative source is printed in two places: a diagram molded or printed on the inside of each fuse box lid, and the fuse chapter of your owner's manual, which lists every circuit by name alongside its box and position. Always check your specific car's lid and manual before pulling a fuse.
Fuses that commonly blow, by function
Across Cruze generations, owners most often report blown fuses tied to these circuits:
- Cigarette lighter / 12V accessory outlet - a blown fuse here typically means the outlet stops charging phones or powering accessories while everything else works normally; it is usually caused by a plugged-in device shorting or drawing too much current.
- Radio / infotainment system - a blown fuse causes the touchscreen or stereo to go completely dark while climate and other dash functions keep working.
- Interior lighting (dome light, map lights) - a blown fuse leaves cabin lights dead even though headlights and other exterior lights work fine.
- Blower motor (HVAC fan) - a blown fuse means the heater/AC fan will not move air at any speed, though the compressor and controls may still respond.
- Fuel pump relay circuit - a blown fuse here typically causes a no-start or stall condition because the pump loses power; this circuit deserves extra caution since a repeat failure often points to a pump or wiring problem rather than a bad fuse.
How to check and replace a fuse
Pull the suspect fuse straight out with the plastic fuse-puller tool usually clipped inside the fuse box lid, or with fine-pliers. Hold it up to the light: a blown fuse shows a visibly broken or melted metal strip inside the clear plastic body. If it looks intact but you are unsure, a simple automotive test light or multimeter across the two prongs with the circuit powered will confirm continuity. Replace a blown fuse only with one of the identical amperage (matched by the number printed on top and usually also by color) - installing a higher-rated fuse can allow excess current to damage wiring or components and is not safe.
When a fuse keeps blowing
If a replacement fuse blows again immediately or within a short time of driving, that is not a fuse problem - it is a sign of a short circuit or an overloaded component somewhere on that circuit, and simply fitting fuse after fuse will not fix it and can be unsafe. This is exactly where pulling stored diagnostic trouble codes helps narrow down which module or circuit is at fault before any wiring is opened up, which is the kind of deeper diagnostic step this site focuses on.
Summary
| Underhood fuse block location | Front of engine bay, driver's side, near the battery |
|---|---|
| Interior fuse block location | Under driver-side dash, left of steering column near knee bolster |
| Trunk fuse box | None - Cruze uses only the two panels above |
| Where to find exact fuse amps/positions | Diagram printed inside each fuse box lid, plus owner's manual fuse chapter |
| Most commonly blown fuses | 12V/cigarette lighter outlet, radio/infotainment, interior lights, blower motor, fuel pump relay |
| Fuse replacement rule | Match the original amp rating exactly - never install a higher rating |
| Repeatedly blowing fuse | Indicates a short or overload; scanning stored fault codes helps pinpoint the circuit before repair |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Chevrolet Cruze: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the fuse box on a Chevrolet Cruze?
The Chevrolet Cruze has two fuse boxes: an underhood fuse block at the front of the engine bay near the battery, under a clipped or latched plastic cover, and an interior fuse block under the driver-side dash, typically to the left of the steering column near the knee bolster (or behind a left-end dash panel on some early first-generation cars). Both lids have the fuse diagram printed inside.
Why does the cigarette lighter or 12V outlet fuse keep blowing on my Cruze?
A repeatedly blown accessory-outlet fuse on a Cruze is almost always caused by a plugged-in device (phone charger, air compressor, dash cam) drawing too much current or having an internal short, rather than the car's wiring itself. Try a different, known-good accessory first; if a fresh, correctly-rated fuse blows again with nothing plugged in, that points to a wiring short that needs proper diagnosis rather than repeated fuse swaps.
How do I know if a Cruze fuse is blown?
Pull the fuse out with the plastic puller tool clipped inside the fuse box lid and look through the clear plastic body: a blown fuse shows a visibly broken or melted metal strip. If you cannot tell by eye, a test light or multimeter placed across the two prongs while the circuit is powered will confirm whether current can pass through.
Can I use a higher amp fuse in my Chevrolet Cruze if the correct one keeps blowing?
No. Never install a higher-amperage fuse than the one specified on the fuse box lid diagram or owner's manual. A fuse blowing repeatedly at the correct rating signals a short circuit or overloaded component, and fitting a higher-rated fuse removes the protection that fuse provides, risking wiring damage or fire; the underlying fault needs to be diagnosed and repaired instead.