Hyundai Kona Fuse Box: Location & Guide
TL;DR
Kona fuses live in an engine-bay box (driver-side rear corner) and a driver-side interior panel; always check the lid diagram and owner's manual for your exact year/trim before pulling a fuse.
Where the Hyundai Kona fuse boxes are located
Every Kona generation sold in North America uses a two-box layout: a larger power/relay box in the engine bay for high-current circuits (headlights, cooling fan, starter relay, ABS/ESC module, fuel pump relay) and a smaller interior panel for cabin circuits (infotainment, power outlets, interior lighting, wipers). The engine bay box is mounted at the rear of the bay on the driver's side, close to the firewall and brake fluid reservoir, under a black plastic cover secured by snap clips or a single quarter-turn latch. The interior box is on the driver's side of the dashboard, typically reached by opening the driver door and looking at the end of the dash panel, or by removing a small trim cover just left of the steering column knee area.
Fuse box locations by generation
| Generation / years | Fuse box | Location | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS (2018-2023) | Engine compartment box | Rear driver-side corner of engine bay, near firewall | Unclip or lift the black cover; some model years use two small tabs, others a single latch |
| OS (2018-2023) | Interior (passenger compartment) box | Driver's side dash end, left of the steering wheel | Open driver door; pull the small panel/cover by hand, no tools usually needed |
| SX2 (2024-present) | Engine compartment box | Rear driver-side corner of engine bay | Unclip the cover; layout is similar to the outgoing generation but check the lid diagram since the electrical architecture was updated |
| SX2 (2024-present) | Interior box | Driver's side dash/kick panel area | Remove the small cover panel by hand; consult the owner's manual illustration for exact trim |
The definitive fuse legend for your exact car is printed on the underside of each box's lid and repeated in the owner's manual electrical/fuse chapter, because exact fuse numbering and amperage can shift between trims (base vs turbo, EV vs gas) and mid-cycle updates. Always match that diagram to your VIN and model year rather than a generic online chart.
Fuses that commonly cause complaints on the Kona
- Cigarette lighter / 12V accessory outlet fuse: when this blows, phone chargers, dash cams and portable inflators in that outlet stop working while everything else runs fine - a classic sign of a shorted accessory plug or aftermarket charger.
- Radio / infotainment fuse: a blown fuse here kills the touchscreen, backup camera feed and sometimes steering wheel audio controls simultaneously, while climate and lights keep working.
- Interior/dome light fuse: covers the dome, map, and sometimes glovebox and trunk lights; a short in a door switch or trunk latch wiring is a common cause of repeat blows.
- Blower motor fuse: when it blows, the HVAC fan stops moving air at every speed setting, though the climate control display still lights up.
- Fuel pump relay fuse: if this fuse or its relay fails, the engine cranks but won't start or stalls immediately, since the pump loses power; this is a safety-relevant one to size correctly.
How to check and replace a fuse
Pull the suspect fuse straight out with the plastic fuse puller usually clipped inside the box lid, then hold it up to light: a good fuse has an intact thin metal strip between the two prongs, while a blown one shows a visibly melted or separated strip. If it is hard to tell by eye, a simple 12V test light or multimeter on continuity mode across the two prongs confirms it definitively. Replace only with a fuse of the identical amp rating shown on the lid diagram - a higher-rated fuse will not protect the circuit and can allow wiring to overheat, and a lower-rated one will blow again under normal load.
When a fuse keeps blowing
A fuse that blows again shortly after replacement, even at the correct amperage, almost always means a short circuit or failing component downstream rather than a bad fuse batch. In that case, stop replacing fuses and have the circuit diagnosed, ideally by pulling stored diagnostic trouble codes with an OBD-II scanner, since modules on that circuit often log a fault that points straight to the failing wiring, connector, or component before more damage or a fire risk develops.
Summary
| Generations covered | OS (2018-2023), SX2 (2024-present) |
|---|---|
| Engine bay fuse box location | Rear driver-side corner of engine bay, near firewall |
| Interior fuse box location | Driver's side dash end / kick panel area |
| How engine bay box opens | Snap clips or a single latch on the black lid |
| Where the fuse legend is | Printed on underside of each lid, plus owner's manual fuse chapter |
| Common problem fuses | 12V outlet, radio/infotainment, interior lights, blower motor, fuel pump relay |
| Repeated blown fuse | Usually a short - diagnose the circuit, don't just re-replace |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Hyundai Kona: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the main fuse box on a Hyundai Kona?
The main power fuse box is in the engine bay, mounted at the rear driver-side corner near the firewall and brake fluid reservoir, under a black cover secured by clips or a latch; a second, smaller fuse panel for interior circuits sits on the driver's side of the dashboard, reached through the driver door opening.
Why does my Hyundai Kona cigarette lighter or USB outlet stop working?
This is almost always the accessory/12V outlet fuse blowing, usually because a phone charger, dash cam, or inflator plugged into that socket has a short or draws too much current; check the interior fuse box diagram for the correct fuse, inspect it with a test light, and replace it only with the same amp rating printed on the box lid.
How do I know which fuse controls the radio on my Kona?
The exact fuse number for the radio/infotainment circuit is printed on the diagram inside the interior fuse box lid and in the owner's manual electrical chapter, since it can differ by trim and model year; look for the label describing audio, AVN, or infotainment rather than relying on a generic online fuse map.
Why does a fuse in my Kona keep blowing repeatedly?
A fuse that blows again soon after being replaced, even with the correct amp rating, points to a short circuit or failing component on that circuit rather than a defective fuse; the safest next step is a proper diagnosis, including checking for stored fault codes, instead of continuing to swap in new fuses.