Fiat Strada Fuse Box: Location & Guide
TL;DR
Every Strada generation uses an engine-bay fuse box plus a driver-side dash/kick-panel box; the lid diagram and owner's manual are the only reliable source for exact fuse positions.
Where the Fiat Strada fuse boxes are located
Across all three generations the Strada keeps the same basic layout: one fuse and relay box in the engine bay (mounted beside or behind the battery), and one interior fuse box inside the cabin on the driver's side, tucked under the dashboard near the kick panel to the left of the steering wheel, sometimes extending toward the door sill. Regular cab and Cabine Dupla (double cab) body styles use the same two-box arrangement; there is no separate trunk or bed fuse box on the Strada.
How to open each box
The engine-bay box has a hinged or snap-fit plastic lid, usually with one or two side clips - press or slide the release tab and lift straight up. The interior box cover is a small trim panel held by clips or a single screw; pull it toward you or unscrew it to expose the fuses. Never force a lid that resists, the clips are usually just misaligned; check the edges for a release tab first.
Where the official fuse legend lives
Both boxes print a fuse legend on the inside face of the lid (a diagram with amperage and circuit labels). This printed diagram is the authoritative source for your specific vehicle and always overrides any generic list, because circuit assignments changed between the 2004-2012, 2012-2020, and 2021-present Strada generations, and can also vary by engine and equipment level within a generation. The owner's manual has a matching electrical chapter with the same diagram plus notes on relay positions.
Fuse box locations by generation
| Generation / years | Fuse box | Location | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-2012 | Engine-bay box | Beside/behind the battery, engine compartment | Lift the hinged plastic lid, release the side clip |
| 2004-2012 | Interior box | Driver's side, under dash near kick panel | Remove or swing open the small trim cover |
| 2012-2020 | Engine-bay box | Front of engine bay, near the battery | Unclip and lift the lid |
| 2012-2020 | Interior box | Driver's side dash, left of steering column | Pull off the trim cover (clips or screw) |
| 2021-present | Engine-bay box | Engine compartment, driver's side near battery | Press release tab, lift lid |
| 2021-present | Interior box | Driver's side kick panel / lower dash | Unclip trim panel cover |
Fuses that most commonly blow (by function)
The circuits owners report tripping most often are: the cigarette lighter/12V accessory outlet (killed by phone chargers, air compressors, or dash cams left plugged in), the radio/infotainment fuse (screen goes dark, no sound, clock resets), the interior lighting circuit (dome light, glovebox light), the blower motor/HVAC fan fuse (no airflow at any speed), and the fuel pump relay circuit (car cranks but will not start or stalls). These are described by function because the numbered position of each one shifts by year and trim, always confirm the position against your own lid diagram.
Checking and replacing a fuse
Pull the suspect fuse straight out with the plastic fuse-puller tool usually clipped inside the box lid. Hold it to the light: a good fuse has an intact, unbroken metal strip; a blown one shows a visibly melted or separated strip. For a more certain check with the ignition on, use a test light or multimeter across the two top contacts - no reading on either side means it is blown. Replace with a fuse of the identical amperage rating (matching color and number printed on it), never a higher rating, since that removes the circuit's overload protection. If a replacement fuse blows again within seconds or minutes, stop swapping fuses: that pattern points to a short circuit or failing component downstream, not a weak fuse, and continuing to insert new fuses risks melting the wiring or the fuse box itself.
When it is more than just a fuse
A fuse that blows once and then works fine for months is normal wear. A fuse that blows repeatedly, or that blows immediately when a specific accessory is used, points to a wiring short, a failed relay, or a faulty component drawing excess current. In these cases pulling stored diagnostic trouble codes with an OBD-II scanner narrows down which circuit or module is misbehaving far faster than guessing, which is the diagnostic step this reference recommends before repeated fuse replacement.
Summary
| Market | Brazil/Latin America (not sold in US/Canada) |
|---|---|
| Number of fuse boxes | 2 per vehicle (engine bay + interior) |
| Engine-bay box location | Beside/behind the battery, under the hood |
| Interior box location | Driver's side, under dash near kick panel |
| Generations covered | 2004-2012, 2012-2020, 2021-present |
| Fuse legend source | Printed diagram on box lid + owner's manual |
| Most commonly blown fuses | 12V outlet, radio, interior lights, blower motor, fuel pump relay |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Fiat Strada: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the fuse box on a Fiat Strada?
Every Fiat Strada generation has two fuse boxes: one in the engine bay near the battery, and one inside the cabin on the driver's side under the dash, near the kick panel to the left of the steering wheel. Neither box location changed dramatically between the 2004-2012, 2012-2020, and 2021-present generations, though the exact shape of the covers did.
Why does the cigarette lighter or 12V outlet fuse keep blowing on my Strada?
The 12V accessory outlet fuse most often blows from phone chargers, tire inflators, or dash cams drawing more current than the circuit allows, or from a short in the plug itself. Replace it with a fuse of the exact same amperage shown on the box lid diagram; if it blows again right away, the outlet wiring or the accessory being plugged in likely has a short and should be checked before installing another fuse.
How do I know which fuse controls the radio or blower motor on a Strada?
There is no universal position number for these fuses because it changes by year, engine, and trim. The reliable source is the diagram printed on the underside of the interior fuse box lid, which labels each fuse by the circuit it protects (radio, blower, interior lights, and so on); the owner's manual repeats the same diagram in its electrical section.
Is it safe to put a higher-amp fuse in a Fiat Strada if the correct one keeps blowing?
No. Installing a higher-amperage fuse removes the circuit's overload protection and can allow enough current through to melt the wiring harness or start a fire. If the correct-rated fuse blows repeatedly, the underlying cause is a short circuit or failing component that needs to be diagnosed and fixed, not masked with a bigger fuse.