Nissan Altima Fuse Box: Location & Guide
TL;DR
The Altima uses an engine bay fuse/relay box under the hood and a driver-side interior fuse box behind a dash-edge panel; always match amp rating using the lid diagram, and repeat blown fuses point to a wiring short worth scanning for fault codes.
Where the Nissan Altima fuse boxes are located
Every modern Altima generation uses two fuse locations. The engine compartment fuse and relay box sits under the hood, typically toward the driver side near the battery and firewall, protected by a black plastic lid held by clips or small screws. The interior fuse box is mounted low on the far left side of the dashboard, near the driver door kick panel and the hood release lever; it is hidden behind a small cover panel that pulls off by hand once you find the finger notch at the edge. Some owners describe this as "under the dash to the left of the steering wheel."
How to open each fuse box
The engine bay lid usually unclips by pressing in on the side tabs, or on some years by loosening one or two retaining screws with a small screwdriver, then lifting straight up. The interior panel is friction-fit and pries off gently with a flat trim tool or fingernail from the notch, without any screws in most trims. Never force either cover; if it resists, look for an additional tab you may have missed.
Where to find the official fuse legend
Do not rely on generic fuse lists for exact amperage and circuit numbers, because these details can vary by trim, engine, and model year. The printed fuse legend diagram is on the inside of each box lid (engine bay lid and interior panel), and the same layout is reproduced in the owner's manual electrical/fuses chapter. Always confirm the fuse number and rating for your specific car against that lid diagram before pulling or replacing anything.
Commonly blown fuses by function (not by number)
- Cigarette lighter / 12V accessory outlet fuse: blows most often from phone chargers, air compressors, or aftermarket accessories left plugged in; symptom is a dead outlet with everything else working normally.
- Radio / infotainment fuse: a blown fuse here kills the touchscreen, audio, and sometimes the backup camera feed at once.
- Interior lighting fuse: covers dome light, map lights, and glovebox light; a blown fuse leaves the cabin dark even with doors open.
- Blower motor fuse: when this blows, the HVAC fan stops moving air at every speed setting while heat/AC controls otherwise respond.
- Fuel pump relay/fuse: a blown fuse or failed relay here typically causes a no-start or the engine cranking but not catching, because the pump never primes.
Checking and replacing a fuse safely
With the engine off, pull the suspect fuse using the plastic fuse puller usually clipped inside the box lid. Visually inspect the thin metal strip inside the fuse body; a broken or blackened strip confirms it is blown. For a clear confirmation, a simple automotive test light or multimeter across the fuse terminals with the ignition on will show continuity only on a good fuse. Replace with a fuse of the exact same amperage printed on the lid diagram - never install a higher-rated fuse, as that removes the circuit's protection and risks melting wiring or causing a fire.
When a fuse keeps blowing
If the same fuse blows again shortly after replacement, that is not a fuse problem anymore - it means something downstream is drawing excess current, usually a chafed wire, a failing component, or a short to ground. Continuing to replace fuses without finding that root cause risks recurring failures or wiring damage. This is exactly the kind of intermittent electrical fault where scanning for stored diagnostic trouble codes can point straight to the affected circuit or module, saving hours of blind troubleshooting.
| Generation / years | Fuse box | Location | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| L33 (2013-2018) | Engine bay fuse/relay box | Under hood, driver side near battery/firewall | Unclip or unscrew side tabs, lift lid straight up |
| L33 (2013-2018) | Interior fuse box | Far left of dash, near driver door/hood release | Pull small cover panel off by hand from the edge notch |
| L34 (2019-present) | Engine bay fuse/relay box | Under hood, driver side near battery/firewall | Unclip side tabs, lift lid straight up |
| L34 (2019-present) | Interior fuse box | Far left of dash, near driver door/hood release | Pry off cover panel gently with trim tool or fingernail |
Summary
| Engine bay fuse box location | Under hood, driver side near battery/firewall |
|---|---|
| Interior fuse box location | Far left of dash, near driver door/hood release |
| Access method (engine bay) | Unclip or unscrew tabs, lift lid |
| Access method (interior) | Pull/pry small cover panel from edge notch |
| Where the fuse legend is printed | Underside of each box lid + owner's manual electrical chapter |
| Commonly blown fuses | 12V outlet, radio/infotainment, interior lights, blower motor, fuel pump relay |
| Repeat blown fuse means | Likely wiring short - scan for stored fault codes |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Nissan Altima: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the fuse box on a Nissan Altima?
The Nissan Altima has two fuse boxes: one under the hood on the driver side near the battery and firewall (engine bay fuse/relay box), and one inside the cabin behind a small panel on the far left of the dashboard near the driver door and hood release lever (interior fuse box). Both covers pop off or unclip by hand or with a small screwdriver.
Why does my Altima's cigarette lighter or 12V outlet fuse keep blowing?
The 12V accessory outlet fuse on an Altima most often blows from high-draw accessories like phone chargers, tire inflators, or aftermarket gadgets left plugged in, or from a short in one of those accessories. If a freshly replaced fuse of the correct amperage blows again quickly, suspect a wiring short rather than the fuse itself, and consider a diagnostic scan for stored fault codes.
How do I know which fuse controls which function on my Altima?
The exact fuse legend, showing which numbered fuse protects which circuit and its amp rating, is printed on the underside of the fuse box lid (both the engine bay lid and the interior panel) and repeated in the owner's manual electrical section. This legend can differ by model year and trim, so always check the diagram on your specific car rather than a generic online chart.
Can I put a higher-amp fuse in my Altima if the correct one keeps blowing?
No. Always replace a blown fuse with one of the exact same amperage rating shown on the fuse box lid diagram. Installing a higher-rated fuse removes the circuit's intended protection and can allow excessive current to overheat the wiring, creating a fire risk. A fuse that keeps blowing at the correct rating signals an underlying short that needs to be diagnosed and repaired.