Honda HR-V Fuse Box: Location & Guide
TL;DR
Two fuse boxes on every HR-V generation: under-hood (engine bay, driver side) and interior (under dash, driver side, left of steering column) - check the lid diagram for exact positions, this page covers locations and troubleshooting, not a position-by-position amp map.
Where the Honda HR-V fuse boxes are located
Every North American Honda HR-V, from the 2016 debut through the redesigned 2023-present generation, uses the same basic two-box layout Honda has used across most of its lineup. The under-hood fuse/relay box sits at the front of the engine bay on the driver side, close to the battery; it protects high-current circuits like the starter, cooling fan, headlights and main alternator feed. The interior (cabin) fuse box is mounted under the dashboard on the driver's side, just to the left of the steering column, roughly above where your left knee sits and near the hood-release handle; it covers circuits like the radio, power windows, interior lights and accessory outlets.
How to open each box
The under-hood box has a plastic cover held by two or three snap tabs - press the tabs (or squeeze the release points molded into the lid edge) and lift the cover straight up and off. The interior box cover is a smaller trim panel: on 2016-2022 models it pulls straight out by hand from its clips, and on 2023-present models it also unclips by hand, usually starting from the bottom edge and swinging down or out - no tools are normally required for either box, though a plastic trim tool can help if the clips are stiff.
Fuse box legend and generations
| Generation / years | Fuse box | Location | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st gen (NA), 2016-2022 | Under-hood fuse/relay box | Engine bay, driver side, next to battery | Unsnap 2-3 lid tabs, lift cover off |
| 1st gen (NA), 2016-2022 | Interior fuse box | Under dash, driver side, left of steering column | Pull small cover panel straight out by hand |
| 2nd gen (NA), 2023-present | Under-hood fuse/relay box | Engine bay, driver side, next to battery | Unsnap lid tabs, lift cover off |
| 2nd gen (NA), 2023-present | Interior fuse box | Under dash, driver side, left of steering column | Unclip cover panel from the bottom edge |
The full fuse legend - which fuse protects which circuit and its amp rating - is printed on a sticker on the inside of each box's lid, and the same chart is reprinted in the owner's manual (electrical/fuses chapter). Because exact fuse numbering has shifted slightly between trims and model years, always read your own vehicle's lid diagram or manual rather than relying on a generic number chart.
Fuses that most commonly blow on the HR-V
- Cigarette lighter / 12V power outlet: the single most commonly blown fuse on any car, usually from a phone charger or accessory plug staying in too long or shorting; symptom is a dead outlet with everything else working normally.
- Radio / infotainment: a blown fuse here kills the touchscreen, backup camera display and sometimes steering-wheel audio controls all at once.
- Interior lights: covers dome, map and glovebox lights; a blown fuse leaves the cabin dark even though the car starts and drives fine.
- Blower motor: protects the HVAC fan; when it blows you get no airflow from any vent at any fan speed, though the compressor and controls still respond.
- Fuel pump relay/fuse: when this blows the car cranks but will not start, or stalls and won't restart, because the pump loses power entirely.
How to check and replace a fuse
Pull the suspect fuse straight out with the plastic fuse-puller tool clipped inside the box lid (or fine-point pliers). Hold it up to the light: a good fuse has an intact thin metal strip inside the clear plastic body, while a blown one shows a visibly broken or melted strip. If it is hard to tell visually, a test light or multimeter across the two prongs with the ignition on will confirm continuity. Always replace with a fuse of the identical amperage (matching the color and number stamped on top) - never install a higher-amp fuse, since that removes the protection the circuit was designed with and can lead to melted wiring or fire.
When a blown fuse means a bigger problem
A single blown fuse from an overloaded accessory is normal wear and an easy fix. But if a replacement fuse blows again immediately, or the same circuit keeps failing, that almost always points to a short circuit or failing component downstream rather than a bad fuse batch - continuing to swap in new fuses without finding the short risks wiring damage. In that situation, a scan tool that reads stored diagnostic trouble codes can point directly at the affected module or circuit, saving hours of manually tracing wiring, which is exactly the kind of deeper diagnosis this site is built around.
Summary
| Under-hood fuse box location | Engine bay, driver side, next to battery |
|---|---|
| Interior fuse box location | Under dash, driver side, left of steering column |
| Generations covered | 2016-2022 and 2023-present (North America) |
| Official fuse legend | Printed on inside of each box lid + owner's manual electrical chapter |
| Most commonly blown fuse | Cigarette lighter / 12V power outlet |
| Fuse replacement rule | Match the exact amp rating - never go higher |
| Repeat blown fuse signal | Likely short circuit - check for stored diagnostic trouble codes |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Honda HR-V: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the fuse box on a Honda HR-V?
Every Honda HR-V has two fuse boxes: an under-hood fuse/relay box in the engine bay on the driver side next to the battery, and an interior fuse box under the dashboard on the driver's side, just left of the steering column near the hood-release lever. This layout is the same on both the 2016-2022 and 2023-present HR-V generations sold in North America.
How do I open the Honda HR-V interior fuse box?
The interior fuse box cover is a small trim panel under the dash on the driver's side. On 2016-2022 models it simply pulls straight out of its clips by hand; on 2023-present models it unclips by hand as well, usually starting from the bottom edge. No tools are normally needed, though a plastic trim-panel tool can help if the clips feel stiff.
Why does my HR-V's cigarette lighter or 12V outlet keep blowing a fuse?
The 12V accessory outlet fuse is the most commonly blown fuse on the HR-V, typically from a phone charger, dash cam or other accessory drawing too much current or shorting internally. If a fresh fuse of the correct amperage blows again right away, unplug all accessories from that outlet and check for a pinched or frayed cable rather than repeatedly replacing fuses.
Can I put a higher-amp fuse in my Honda HR-V if it keeps blowing?
No. Always replace a blown fuse with one of the exact same amp rating shown on the fuse box lid diagram and owner's manual. A repeatedly blowing fuse means there is a short or a failing component on that circuit, not that the fuse is too weak; installing a higher-amp fuse removes the circuit's protection and can cause wiring damage or a fire.