Hyundai HB20 Fuse Box: Location & Guide
TL;DR
HB20 fuse boxes: one under/behind the driver-side dash panel (cabin) and one in the engine bay next to the battery (both generations, 2012-present); check the diagram printed on the box lid for exact positions and amps.
Where the HB20 fuse boxes are located
Every Hyundai HB20 generation uses a two-box layout. The interior fuse box sits on the driver's side of the dashboard, typically behind a small trim panel to the left of the steering column or below the hood-release/dash edge - some trims require reaching up under the steering wheel with a flashlight. The engine bay fuse/relay box is mounted near the battery, usually on the driver's side of the bay, protected by a black plastic lid with clips or a quarter-turn latch.
How to open each box
The dash panel is usually held by a few plastic clips or a single screw - pull gently at the edge rather than prying in the middle to avoid snapping a tab. The engine bay cover unclips upward, or on some model years lifts after releasing two side tabs; always let the engine cool first and keep the lid away from moving belts.
Where the official fuse legend lives
Do not rely on generic online amp charts. The printed diagram glued or embossed on the inside of each box's lid is the correct reference for your exact car, because amperages and fuse assignments can shift between trims, engines and production years. The owner's manual electrical/maintenance chapter repeats the same diagram in larger print and explains any extra relays.
Fuses that commonly cause complaints
| Generation / years | Fuse box | Location | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st gen (2012-2019) | Interior box | Driver-side dash, left of steering column | Pull trim panel off plastic clips |
| 1st gen (2012-2019) | Engine bay box | Next to battery, driver's side | Unclip plastic cover |
| 2nd gen (2019-present) | Interior box | Lower dash / under steering column area | Remove trim panel or kick panel screws |
| 2nd gen (2019-present) | Engine bay box | Adjacent to battery | Release side tabs, lift cover |
By function, the circuits owners report issues with most often are: the 12V/cigarette lighter outlet (dead phone charger or dash cam is the classic symptom), the radio/infotainment fuse (screen stays black or resets), interior/dome lights (map light or courtesy lights out), the blower motor fuse (no air movement from any HVAC vent regardless of fan speed setting), and the fuel pump relay/fuse (car cranks but will not start, or stalls and won't restart).
Checking and replacing a fuse
Pull the suspect fuse with the plastic tweezers usually clipped inside the box lid and hold it to the light: a broken or blackened metal strip inside the plastic body means it has blown. If it looks fine but you still suspect it, touch a test light or multimeter probe to both metal prongs with the ignition on - no reading on one side confirms a blown fuse. Always replace with the same amp rating printed on the fuse and diagram; never install a higher-amperage fuse, since the fuse is sized to protect the wiring, not just the accessory.
When a fuse keeps blowing
A fuse that blows once from a temporary overload (like a jump-started phone battery pack) is normal. A fuse that blows again immediately after replacement, or blows repeatedly on the same circuit, points to a short circuit or a failing component drawing excess current - continuing to replace it with the same or a higher rating risks a wiring fire. In these cases a scan tool that reads stored fault codes can pinpoint which module or circuit is triggering the short far faster than a visual fuse chase, which is exactly the kind of diagnostic work this site's fault-code guides are built for.
Summary
| Interior fuse box location | Driver-side dash, near steering column, behind trim panel |
|---|---|
| Engine bay fuse box location | Next to the battery, driver's side of engine bay |
| Fuse legend source | Diagram printed on each box lid; repeated in owner's manual |
| Common problem circuits | 12V outlet, radio/infotainment, interior lights, blower motor, fuel pump relay |
| Replacement rule | Match the exact amp rating - never go higher |
| Repeated blowing | Signals a short or failing component - check for stored fault codes |
| Generations covered | 1st gen 2012-2019, 2nd gen 2019-present |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Hyundai HB20: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the fuse box on a Hyundai HB20?
The Hyundai HB20 has two fuse boxes: an interior one on the driver's side of the dashboard (usually behind a small trim panel near the steering column) and an engine-bay one mounted next to the battery under a clip-on plastic cover. This layout applies to both the first generation (2012-2019) and the current generation (2019-present).
How do I know which fuse controls which function on my HB20?
Do not guess from a generic chart online. Open the fuse box lid - the printed diagram glued to its underside lists every fuse position, its amperage and the exact circuit it protects for your specific car. The owner's manual repeats the same diagram in its electrical/maintenance section if the printed label has faded.
Why does the cigarette lighter/12V outlet fuse keep blowing on my HB20?
A 12V outlet fuse that blows repeatedly usually means an accessory plugged into it (phone charger, air compressor, dash cam) is drawing more current than the circuit is rated for, or there is a short in the outlet's wiring or connector. Replace the fuse only with the same amp rating shown on the box lid diagram; if it blows again immediately after replacement with nothing plugged in, have the circuit checked for a short rather than upsizing the fuse.
Can I replace a blown fuse with a higher-amperage one on the HB20?
No. The fuse rating is chosen to protect the wiring harness for that circuit, not just the device it powers. Installing a higher-amp fuse lets more current flow than the wiring is designed to handle, which can overheat the harness and create a fire risk - always match the exact amperage shown on the fuse itself and on the box lid diagram.