Kia Forte Fuse Box: Location & Guide
TL;DR
Kia Forte fuses live in two places: an engine-bay box near the battery and a cabin box on the driver's side dash/kick panel - both have a printed legend on the lid, and matching the owner's manual to that diagram is the reliable way to identify any fuse.
Where the Kia Forte fuse boxes are located
Every Forte generation uses a two-box layout: a larger engine compartment fuse and relay box, and a smaller interior (passenger compartment) fuse box. There is no dedicated trunk fuse panel on this model, though some trunk-mounted accessories are fed from the interior box.
| Generation / years | Fuse box | Location | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st gen (2009-2013) | Engine bay box | Front of engine bay, next to the battery | Unclip or unscrew the black plastic lid; tabs pry up by hand |
| 1st gen (2009-2013) | Interior box | Driver's side dash end / lower kick panel near the hood-release handle | Pull the small cover panel straight off or open the hinged flap |
| 2nd gen (2014-2018) | Engine bay box | Front of engine bay, driver's side near the battery | Release the plastic lid clips, lift straight up |
| 2nd gen (2014-2018) | Interior box | Far left end of the dashboard, behind a small trim cover | Open the driver's door and pop the trim panel off with a light pull |
| 3rd gen (2019-present) | Engine bay box | Engine bay, near the battery, under a larger relay/fuse cover | Squeeze or lift the lid tabs, cover hinges or lifts off |
| 3rd gen (2019-present) | Interior box | Driver's side dash edge, behind the fuse panel door | Open the small hinged door with your fingertip, no tools needed |
Finding the correct fuse (the legend)
Kia prints the complete fuse and relay map on the underside of each box's lid, and the owner's manual repeats it in the electrical system chapter with a labeled diagram. Because the exact position numbers and amperage values shift between trims and model years, always match the diagram on your own car's lid or manual instead of relying on a generic numbered list.
Fuses that most commonly blow (by function)
- Cigarette lighter / 12V accessory outlet: stops charging phones or running a dash cam; usually an isolated fuse in the interior box.
- Radio / infotainment: screen goes blank or resets repeatedly; often shares a circuit with the rear-view camera.
- Interior lights / dome light: dome, map, or trunk light stops working while other electronics stay fine.
- Blower motor (HVAC fan): no airflow from any vent at any fan speed, even though the AC/heater controls still light up.
- Fuel pump relay/fuse: car cranks but will not start, or dies while driving, because the pump loses power.
Checking and replacing a fuse
Remove the suspect fuse and look through its clear plastic body at the thin metal strip; a broken, blackened, or melted strip confirms it is blown. A test light or multimeter across the two fuse terminals (with the circuit powered) is more reliable than a visual check alone. Always replace a blown fuse with one of the identical amp rating shown on the lid diagram - never a higher rating, since that removes the circuit's protection and risks wiring damage or fire.
When a fuse keeps blowing
A fuse that blows again immediately after replacement, or blows repeatedly within days, points to a short circuit or failing component downstream rather than a weak fuse. In that case pulling stored diagnostic trouble codes with a code reader helps pinpoint which module or circuit is drawing excess current, turning a guessing game into a targeted repair.
Summary
| Fuse box locations | Engine bay (near battery) + interior dash/kick panel; no trunk box |
|---|---|
| Generations covered | 1st gen 2009-2013, 2nd gen 2014-2018, 3rd gen 2019-present |
| Fuse legend source | Printed on inside of box lid + owner's manual electrical chapter |
| Most-blown fuses | 12V outlet, radio/infotainment, interior lights, blower motor, fuel pump relay |
| How to test a fuse | Visual check of metal strip, or test light / multimeter across terminals |
| Replacement rule | Match the exact amp rating shown on the lid diagram - never go higher |
| Repeat blown fuse | Signals a short circuit; scan for stored fault codes to locate it |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Kia Forte: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the fuse box on a Kia Forte?
The Kia Forte has two fuse boxes on every generation: one in the engine bay next to the battery under a plastic lid, and one inside the cabin on the driver's side end of the dashboard or lower kick panel, behind a small cover panel. There is no separate trunk fuse box.
How do I know which fuse controls what on my Forte?
Open the lid of either fuse box and read the printed diagram on its underside, which lists every fuse position and its function and amp rating. The same diagram is repeated in the owner's manual's electrical system section, and it is the only reliable source since exact positions can differ by model year and trim.
Why does my Kia Forte's cigarette lighter or 12V outlet keep losing power?
The 12V accessory outlet and cigarette lighter run on their own fuse in the interior fuse box, and a blown fuse there is the most common cause of a dead outlet. Check that fuse first against the lid diagram, and if a fresh fuse of the correct amp rating blows again right away, there is likely a short in a plugged-in accessory or the outlet's wiring.
What does it mean if a fuse keeps blowing repeatedly on my Forte?
A fuse that blows again soon after replacement is a warning sign of a short circuit or a failing component on that circuit, not a bad fuse itself. Continuing to replace it without investigating risks wiring damage, so pulling any stored fault codes with a code reader is the fastest way to identify the actual cause before it does more damage.