This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) Kia Sorento SUV in checking or changing a blown electrical fuse or a faulty relay in either the engine bay or the interior passenger compartment electrical panels.

Owners of other Kia, Hyundai and Genesis vehicles such as the Soul, Seltos, Sportage, Niro, Telluride, Forte, Rio, Optima, Stinger, Cadenza, K900, Sedona, Kona, Venue, Santa Fe, Elantra, Sonata, Accent, Veloster, Ioniq, Nexo, G70, G80 and G90 may also find these instructions to be helpful.

This 2019 Sorento is equipped with Micro2 electrical fuses.

If you have an older Kia or Hyundai model it might be equipped with "Low Profile" Mini Blade Fuses.

Please check the old fuses in your vehicle before purchasing new ones.

A white plastic fuse puller tool should be included on the underside of the engine bay fuse box cover.

If the tool is missing or broken, you can instead use a pair of needle nose pliers with rubber insulated handles.

The first step is to make sure the vehicle's ignition is switched to "OFF".

Then open the hood and move to the right (driver) side of the engine bay.

Locate the square black plastic primary electrical box situated to the right of the engine air filter box, behind the 12V automotive battery and near the driver side headlight housing.

Then push in the tab on the rear edge of the cover to release the other retaining clip.

Carefully lift the cover off the top of the engine bay electrical block.

There is also another diagram in the owner's manual.

A white plastic fuse puller tool and a few spare fuses in a variety of amperage ratings should be included on the underside of the cover.

Gently pull the tool off the underside of the cover.

Locate the access cover just below the fuel door release button near where the driver's left knee would reside while driving.

Insert your fingers into the opening on the bottom of the access cover and pull it out straight out.

There are two plastic tabs on the top edge of the cover.

There is also another diagram in your owner's manual.

Pinch the end of the tool to open the jaws.

Place the tool over the fuse that you would like to check or change.

To check the condition of the old fuse, hold it up to a light bulb.

If the thin metal strip or band in the translucent plastic center of the old fuse appears to be broken or burnt, the old fuse is most likely "blown" will need to be replaced.

If the thin metal bar in the middle of the old fuse appears to be intact, the old fuse is probably still in good working condition.

Since new fuses are so inexpensive, the old fuse should still be replaced as part of your electrical issue troubleshooting process.

If you would like to add a hard-wired 12V power source for an automotive accessory such as a digital gauge, a cell phone charger, a dash cam, a back-up camera, a radar detector or an LED lighted Uber / Lyft sign, you can install an "Add-A-Circuit" fuse tap adapter (also known as a piggy back fuse holder).

Use a digital multimeter to find either a "switched" or "hot / live" circuit depending on your needs. A "switched" circuit will be off when the ignition is in the "Off" position and only supply 12V power when the ignition is in the "On" position. A constant or "hot" / live circuit will always supply constant 12V power even when the car's ignition is switched "Off". Be careful to not drain the 12V automotive battery if you choose a "hot / live" circuit that is always on.

If you suspect that a faulty relay is the cause of your problem, the easiest way to check is to simply change the relay with a new one of the same amperage rating. You could also test the old relay with a digital multimeter tool.

Lower the cover on to the electrical box and push on it to secure the two retaining clips.

Double check that the cover is securely in place.

Then gently snap in the retaining clips on the bottom edge.

Make sure the access cover is flush with the rest of the dashboard.

Test the electrical component that you were having issues with such as the stereo, horn, headlights, tail lights, power driver seat, A/C system, power windows, the windshield wipers, the heated steering wheel, the interior lights, tail lights, power door locks, the 110V AC power inverter outlet, the 12V DC power outlet, etc.

If you are still having the same electrical problem, there may be a shorted out wire or the component itself needs to be replaced.

Be sure to write down the fuse change in your vehicle's service records.

Please take a look at all of my 2016-2020 Kia Sorento DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.