ELECTRICAL
2015 Ford Explorer Fuse Box Locations & Troubleshooting
2015 Ford Explorer fuse box locations, verified passenger-compartment fuse assignments, and safe electrical troubleshooting.
Confirm the vehicle's engine, trim, drivetrain, market and equipment. The exact procedure may differ, even within the same model year.
Selected power distribution box fuses (2015 Explorer)
| Under-hood fuse | Rating | Protected equipment |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | 40 A | Front blower motor |
| 20 | 20 A | Power point #1 / cigar lighter |
| 21 | 20 A | Power point #3 (cargo area) |
| 26 | 40 A | Rear defroster and heated mirrors |
Selected under-hood assignments from the September 2014 Ford manual, printed page 302. Always use the actual panel layout and verify equipment.
Where the two panels are
Ford identifies an engine-compartment power distribution box and a passenger-compartment fuse panel. The interior panel is below and to the left of the steering wheel by the brake pedal. Remove its cover carefully; the puller is provided on the fuse panel cover. Check the actual 2015 manual diagrams before using any numbers.
Engine-compartment box
The under-hood power distribution box contains higher-current circuits and relays. The manual illustrates its location and provides a separate numbered assignment table. Do not confuse its position numbers with passenger-compartment positions; they are different panels. Some entries are optional or unused depending on equipment.
Passenger compartment: confirmed examples
The September 2014 Ford manual lists passenger fuse 1 as 30A for the driver one-touch front window, fuse 3 as 30A for the passenger one-touch front window, fuse 4 as 10A for interior demand lighting, and fuse 5 as 20A for the amplifier. See the Ford table for the complete list, especially when your trim does not include every accessory.
Why there are not two invented diagrams
Exact diagrams and all circuit assignments should be copied only from verified Ford information with appropriate reproduction permission or re-created and checked against the complete official tables. At this stage we link to the factory illustrations rather than drawing a potentially misleading map.
Check power before swapping parts
If an accessory stops working, verify the feature is enabled and note what else stopped at the same time. Identify the correct circuit and inspect the specified fuse with the ignition off. A multimeter or fuse tester can confirm whether a fuse is open; appearance alone is not always reliable.
Match the amp rating precisely
Replace an open fuse with the same type and specified amperage. Never substitute wire or a larger fuse. If it blows repeatedly, there may be a short or overloaded component that needs professional diagnosis.
When a good fuse is not the answer
A bad ground, failed switch, broken harness, disconnected module or missing power supply can mimic a blown fuse. A scan tool with body-module access may help when multiple functions fail together.
Electrical safety
Some circuits can remain energized after shutting off the ignition. Avoid probing airbag/SRS wiring, high-current terminals or unidentified connectors. Disconnecting the battery can affect electronic settings and diagnostic information; follow a Ford-specific procedure.
How to narrow down a dead accessory
First identify the exact symptom: for example, a window that does not move from either switch, a power outlet with no power, or an interior lamp that works only with some doors. Check for additional failed systems because shared circuits can help narrow diagnosis. Use the factory table to locate the relevant fuse number in the correct panel. Test for power on both fuse test points with the circuit in its specified state instead of replacing parts at random.
When a new fuse immediately blows
Stop replacing fuses. A repeat failure can indicate damaged wiring, an internally shorted motor or a connector exposed to moisture. A larger fuse can overheat wiring and cause a fire. Note whether the problem occurs with the accessory switched on, with ignition on, or immediately after inserting the fuse; that observation is useful to a technician.
Useful engine-bay fuse examples from the 2015 manual
The 2015 manual lists power distribution positions 3 (30A trailer brake control module), 4 (30A front wipers and washer), 5 (50A ABS pump), 7 (30A power liftgate) and 8 (20A moonroof). These assignments depend on equipment. Match the numbered cavity to the actual cover diagram and use the manual when identifying other positions.
Useful passenger-compartment fuse examples
In the interior panel, the manual lists position 9 (10A radio display, power liftgate logic, electronic finish panel and SYNC), position 15 (15A reverse/stop lamps), position 16 (10A right low-beam), position 17 (10A left low-beam), position 20 (20A locks) and position 21 (10A intelligent access/keypad). Confirm the location and cover before removal.
How to avoid confusing the two numbering schemes
A number on the under-hood distribution-box diagram does not describe the same location as that number in the passenger-compartment panel. Read the heading over the diagram, count positions from the orientation shown in the factory chart and check the fuse amperage stamped on the removed part. Optional equipment may leave a location empty. Never bridge a fuse or increase its current rating to stop repeated failures.
When a replacement fuse blows immediately
An instantly blown replacement points to a short circuit or an overloaded component. Disconnect aftermarket devices and note whether the fault happens only with a switch activated. A technician can measure current and isolate circuit branches without risking wiring damage. Do not keep installing new fuses to see whether one finally holds.
Using the original 2015 fuse diagrams
The 2015 Ford Explorer owner’s manual includes numbered layouts for both the engine-compartment power distribution box and the passenger-compartment panel. The passenger panel is below and to the left of the steering wheel near the brake pedal; use the drawing and table together because a number without its panel location can be misleading. The original Ford diagrams are on the manual’s fuse pages, approximately PDF pages 301–310. Confirm the fuse amperage and protected circuit before touching anything; replace a fuse only with the same specified rating.
Before replacing another fuse
If a replacement fuse opens again, leave that circuit switched off and inspect the connected load and harness rather than fitting a higher-amperage fuse. Note whether the fault happens at startup, with the rear hatch moving, when a power seat operates or after rain. Use the actual fuse number printed on your vehicle’s box cover and the September 2014 Explorer manual to identify the circuit; equipment options can change the assignment.
Quick checks before replacing a fuse
If several accessories stopped working at once, note which ones failed and whether the ignition is in accessory or run position. The passenger-compartment panel is beneath the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel near the brake pedal; the power distribution box is in the engine compartment. Use the panel diagram and fuse number to identify the correct position before testing.
Common under-hood fuse references
In the Ford September 2014 second-printing manual, power distribution box fuse 18 is 40 A for the front blower motor; fuse 20 is 20 A for power point number 1; fuse 21 is 20 A for the cargo-area power point; and fuse 26 is 40 A for the rear defroster and heated mirrors. These are under-hood positions, not cabin panel positions. Confirm the number against the diagram for the box you are inspecting.
Testing safely
Switch off the related equipment and ignition before removing a fuse. Check both continuity and whether the circuit receives power when expected. Replace a blown fuse only with the same type and amperage. A repeat failure indicates an underlying electrical fault, not a need for a larger fuse. Never bridge terminals with wire or foil.
When the fuse is good
A working fuse does not prove the downstream wiring, switch, relay, ground, module or load is functional. For a dead outlet, check whether it is ignition-switched. For an inoperative blower or cooling fan, pursue the motor and control circuit after confirming the relevant fuse. If several modules fail together, record codes before disconnecting the battery.
Use the correct model-year manual and current service information. Stop if instructions or safety precautions are unclear, and use a qualified technician for work you cannot verify.
References and further reading
This independent guide is not endorsed by the vehicle manufacturer. Let us know if you spot an error.