Honda radio code from your serial
A Honda radio code comes from the serial shown on screen when you hold presets 1 and 6, or printed on the radio label. Honda serials can't be worked out by a formula, so our Honda desk decodes yours for a small charge and emails the code within 24 hours, usually much sooner.
Where the serial is
Turn the ignition on and switch the radio on, so the display shows CODE. Now hold down presets 1 and 6 at the same time. After a few seconds the screen shows the serial, sometimes split across two screens with a U and an L part. Older radios don't do this trick, so the serial is on a label on the side of the unit or on a sticker in the glovebox.
What happens next
Type the serial and we check it on the spot. Honda codes go to our Honda decoding desk, so there is a small charge and the code comes by email within 24 hours, usually in a couple of hours, with the entry steps for your radio.
What we cover
| Radio | Code |
|---|---|
| Civic and Jazz (Panasonic, Alpine) | Paid |
| Accord and CR-V (Pioneer, Clarion) | Paid |
| Premium and navigation units | Paid |
| Serials on screen (U and L parts) | Paid |
How to enter the code
- 1Turn the radio on; the display shows CODE.
- 2Type the five digits using presets 1 to 6, one press per digit.
- 3The radio unlocks as soon as the last digit goes in.
- 4If it shows ERR E, switch the ignition off for an hour and try once more.
Honda models we see most
Honda radio code questions
Is a Honda radio code free?
No, and it isn't free anywhere: a Honda serial can't be turned into the code by a formula, so every Honda code is decoded by hand or with Honda's own tools. Ours is a small charge and is emailed within 24 hours, usually much sooner.
Is a Honda radio code calculated or looked up?
Honda codes don't follow a rule you can calculate, which is why no generator works for them. Sites promising a free Honda generator either guess or take your serial and sell the code back to you. Send the serial and our Honda desk decodes it for a small charge.
Can the code come from the VIN?
No. The code belongs to the radio, not the car, so the VIN and registration number don't lead to it. Get the serial from the screen by holding 1 and 6, or from the label.
The display says ERR E. Have I broken it?
ERR E means ten wrong codes have gone in and the radio has paused. Switch the ignition off and leave it for an hour. When it shows CODE again, enter the code carefully, one press per digit.
My screen shows two serials, U and L. Which one do I type?
Both. The radio splits the serial into a U part and an L part on two screens. Write them down in order, U then L, without the letters, and type them as one serial.