Mazda CX-5 Fuse Box: Location & Guide
TL;DR
Two fuse boxes on every CX-5 generation: engine bay (under the hood, driver's side) and interior (under the dash, driver's side) - use the lid diagram, not a printed list, to find exact positions.
Where the Mazda CX-5 fuse boxes are located
Every CX-5 generation sold in North America uses a two-box layout. The engine bay fuse box sits in the driver-side corner of the engine compartment, close to the battery, protected by a rigid plastic cover held by spring clips or a single lever latch - press or lift and the cover lifts straight up. The interior fuse box is mounted under the dashboard on the driver's side, to the left of the steering column near the hood-release lever; a small trim panel (sometimes called a kick panel or lower dash cover) either pops off by hand or slides out after you release one or two plastic tabs. The CX-5 does not have a dedicated fuse panel in the cargo area.
Fuse box locations by generation
| Generation / years | Fuse box | Location | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| KE (2013-2016) | Engine compartment | Driver's side of engine bay, next to the battery | Unclip or lift the black plastic cover |
| KE (2013-2016) | Interior/cabin | Under the dash, driver's side, left of the steering column | Remove the lower trim/kick panel by hand |
| KF (2017-present) | Engine compartment | Driver's side of engine bay, next to the battery | Release the latch and lift the cover |
| KF (2017-present) | Interior/cabin | Under the dash, driver's side, near the hood-release handle | Pop or slide off the small trim cover |
Where the official fuse legend lives
The exact fuse number, amperage, and circuit assignment for your specific car is printed on a paper or embossed-plastic diagram fixed to the inside of each fuse box cover. This diagram is the only source guaranteed to match your build, trim, and options - Mazda changes assignments between trims and model years, so we intentionally do not publish a fuse-by-fuse amp map here. The owner's manual also repeats this diagram in its electrical/fuses chapter along with a small plastic fuse-puller tool clipped inside the interior fuse box.
Fuses that most commonly cause complaints
- Cigarette lighter / 12V power outlet: a blown fuse here kills phone chargers, dash cams, and accessory plugs while the rest of the car runs normally.
- Radio / infotainment: a blown fuse causes the screen, sound system, or navigation to go completely dark while climate and lights still work.
- Interior lights (dome, map, glovebox, trunk light): a blown fuse leaves cabin lighting dead even though headlights and dash lights work fine.
- Blower motor (HVAC fan): a blown fuse means no airflow at any fan speed from the heater or air conditioning vents.
- Fuel pump relay circuit: a blown fuse here typically causes a no-start or a stall shortly after starting, because the pump loses power entirely.
How to check and replace a fuse
Pull the suspect fuse straight out with the plastic puller tool and look through its clear body: a broken or blackened metal strip means it is blown. A test light or multimeter across the two prongs with the ignition on gives a more reliable confirmation than eyeballing it. Replace a blown fuse only with one of the identical amperage rating shown on the lid diagram - never a higher rating, since that removes the circuit's protection and risks melted wiring or fire. If a fresh fuse of the correct rating blows again right away, that points to a short circuit or failing component downstream rather than a weak fuse, and continuing to replace it will not fix the underlying problem.
When to suspect a deeper electrical fault
A fuse that blows once and then holds is usually a one-off overload. A fuse that blows repeatedly - especially within seconds of driving or plugging something in - signals chafed wiring, a failing motor or relay, or water intrusion, and simply replacing fuses will keep burning through them. In these cases, pulling stored diagnostic trouble codes with an OBD-II scan tool (even for circuits without a dashboard warning light) narrows down which module or wiring section is at fault far faster than testing wires by hand.
Summary
| Number of fuse boxes | 2 (engine bay + interior cabin) |
|---|---|
| Engine bay fuse box location | Driver's side, next to the battery |
| Interior fuse box location | Under dash, driver's side, near hood-release lever |
| Trunk/cargo fuse box | None on the CX-5 |
| Fuse legend source | Diagram printed inside each fuse box cover + owner's manual |
| Most common blown-fuse complaints | 12V outlet, radio/infotainment, interior lights, blower motor, fuel pump relay |
| Generations covered | KE (2013-2016) and KF (2017-present) |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Mazda CX-5: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the fuse box on a Mazda CX-5?
The Mazda CX-5 has two fuse boxes on every generation sold in North America: one in the engine bay on the driver's side next to the battery under a plastic cover, and one inside the cabin under the dash on the driver's side, reached by removing a small trim panel near the hood-release lever. There is no separate fuse box in the trunk.
Why did my Mazda CX-5 cigarette lighter or 12V outlet stop working?
A dead 12V power outlet or cigarette lighter socket on the CX-5 is almost always a single blown fuse dedicated to that accessory circuit, while the rest of the car's electrical systems keep working normally. Check the fuse box lid diagram for the correct fuse position and amperage, pull it with the fuse puller tool, and replace it only with a fuse of the identical rating.
How do I know which fuse controls what on my CX-5?
Mazda prints a diagram on the inside of both fuse box covers (engine bay and interior) that lists exactly which fuse position corresponds to which circuit for your specific car, since assignments can differ by trim and model year. The owner's manual repeats the same diagram in its fuses/electrical chapter, and this is the only reliable source - generic fuse maps found online can be wrong for your exact build.
My CX-5 fuse keeps blowing again after I replace it - what does that mean?
A fuse that blows again shortly after being replaced with the correct amperage almost always means there is a short circuit or a failing component drawing excess current on that circuit, not a defective fuse. Repeatedly installing new fuses will not solve this and risks further damage; scanning for stored fault codes with an OBD-II tool and having the wiring or component tested is the appropriate next step.