Jeep Compass Fuse Box: Location & Guide
TL;DR
Jeep Compass fuses live in an engine-bay Power Distribution Center and a driver-side interior panel; the lid diagram and owner's manual are the only reliable source for exact positions, since they vary by year and trim.
Where the Jeep Compass fuse boxes are located
Every Jeep Compass has at least two fuse/relay centers. The engine compartment Power Distribution Center (PDC) sits in the front corner of the engine bay, usually near the battery or the strut tower, under a black plastic lid held by clips or a couple of quarter-turn fasteners. The interior fuse panel is on the driver's side: on first-generation Compass models (2007-2016, shared with the Dodge Caliber/Patriot platform) it is typically behind a small flip-down door on the left end of the dashboard, near the door hinge. On second-generation models (2017-present) it is usually located lower, behind a trim panel near the driver's left kick panel or under the dash to the left of the steering column. Some trims also route a few accessory fuses through a panel near the center console or glovebox, so check both areas if a specific circuit will not test.
How to open each fuse box
The engine-bay PDC lid usually lifts off after squeezing release tabs on the side or unscrewing two captive screws; a small plastic fuse puller tool is normally clipped inside the lid. The interior dash panel typically pops open by pulling the door edge or unclipping a trim cover by hand - no tools should be needed, and forcing it can crack the plastic clips.
Where to find the exact fuse legend
Do not rely on generic numbered fuse charts found online, because amp ratings and slot assignments shift between model years, engines and trims. The fuse map printed on the underside of each lid is the accurate reference for that specific vehicle, and the owner's manual chapter on fuses and relays repeats the same legend in table form with circuit names. Always confirm against your own vehicle's lid and manual rather than a chart for a different year.
| Generation / years | Fuse box | Location | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st gen (2007-2016) | Engine PDC | Front of engine bay, near battery/strut tower | Unclip or unscrew plastic lid; puller tool often clipped inside |
| 1st gen (2007-2016) | Interior panel | Left edge of dashboard, near door hinge | Pull open small flip-down cover door |
| 2nd gen (2017-present) | Engine PDC | Front corner of engine bay, near battery | Release side tabs or remove screws to lift lid |
| 2nd gen (2017-present) | Interior panel | Driver's left kick panel / lower dash area | Unclip trim cover by hand, no tools needed |
Commonly blown fuses and what fails
Across both generations, a handful of circuits blow more often than others because they carry frequent surge loads or are exposed to shorts from aftermarket accessories: the cigarette lighter / 12V accessory outlet fuse blowing kills phone chargers and plugged-in devices; the radio/infotainment fuse blowing causes the touchscreen or stereo to go completely dark; the interior lighting fuse blowing takes out dome, map or courtesy lights together; the blower motor fuse blowing means the HVAC fan stops moving air even though climate controls still light up; and the fuel pump relay/fuse failing causes a no-start or the engine cranking without ever catching, since the pump cannot build pressure.
Checking and replacing a fuse safely
With the ignition off, pull the suspect fuse straight out with the plastic puller and look at the thin metal strip inside: a visibly broken or blackened strip confirms it blew. Where the break is not obvious, a simple automotive test light or multimeter touched to both fuse legs while the circuit is powered will confirm continuity. Replace only with a fuse of the identical amp rating (color-coded and stamped on the fuse) - never a higher rating, which removes the circuit's protection and risks melting wiring.
When a fuse keeps blowing
A fuse that blows once may simply be a random surge, but a fuse that blows repeatedly right after replacement points to a genuine short circuit or failing component downstream, not a weak fuse. In that case, stop replacing fuses and have the vehicle's stored diagnostic trouble codes read, since a recurring blown fuse on a body or powertrain circuit will often set a matching fault code that narrows down which wiring section or component is actually shorting.
Summary
| Engine-bay fuse box (PDC) | Front of engine bay, near battery/strut tower - both generations |
|---|---|
| Interior fuse box, 1st gen (2007-2016) | Behind small flip-down door on left edge of dashboard |
| Interior fuse box, 2nd gen (2017-present) | Driver's left kick panel / lower dash area |
| Official fuse legend location | Printed on underside of each box lid + owner's manual fuse/relay chapter |
| Common blown-fuse symptoms | Dead 12V outlet, no radio/screen, interior lights out, no HVAC blower, no-start (fuel pump) |
| Fuse replacement rule | Match printed amp rating exactly - never install a higher rating |
| Repeated blown fuse | Indicates a short circuit - have fault codes read instead of re-fusing |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Jeep Compass: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the fuse box on a Jeep Compass?
The Jeep Compass has two fuse locations: an engine-bay Power Distribution Center near the battery, under the hood, and an interior fuse panel on the driver's side - behind a small dash-edge door on 2007-2016 models, or lower near the driver's left kick panel on 2017-present models. The exact fuse layout is printed on the underside of each box's lid.
Why did my Jeep Compass cigarette lighter or 12V outlet stop working?
A dead cigarette lighter or 12V accessory outlet on a Jeep Compass is almost always a blown fuse for that circuit, often caused by a phone charger or accessory that drew too much current or shorted. Check the interior fuse panel and the engine-bay PDC lid diagram for the outlet's fuse, confirm it is broken with a visual check or test light, and replace it with a fuse of the same amp rating - if it blows again immediately, there is a short in the accessory or wiring that needs diagnosis rather than another fuse swap.
How do I know which fuse controls the radio or blower motor on a Jeep Compass?
The Jeep Compass does not use one universal fuse number for the radio or blower motor across all years, because the assignment changes by model year and trim. The reliable way to identify it is the fuse map printed on the underside of the interior panel lid or engine-bay PDC lid, matched against the owner's manual's fuse and relay chapter for your specific vehicle.
Can I replace a Jeep Compass fuse with a higher amp rating if it keeps blowing?
No. Never install a higher-amp fuse than the one specified on the fuse box lid diagram or owner's manual, since that removes the wiring's overcurrent protection and can lead to melted wiring or a fire risk. A fuse that blows repeatedly at the correct rating signals a short circuit or failing component that needs proper diagnosis, ideally by reading stored fault codes, not a bigger fuse.