Clarion Radio Code Guide
If your car radio is displaying CODE or LOCKED after a battery change or power loss, and the unit was supplied by Clarion, this guide walks you through finding the serial number and entering the correct unlock code. Clarion is a Japanese OEM electronics manufacturer that has supplied head units to Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Volvo and several other brands — often under the car manufacturer's own badge.
Which Vehicles Use Clarion OEM Radios?
Clarion has a long history supplying infotainment hardware across a variety of manufacturers:
- Honda — Jazz I–III (GD/GE/GK), Civic VI–X, CR-V III/IV, HR-V II, Insight II — Pioneer/Clarion and Alpine/Clarion/Pioneer OEM units
- Nissan — Qashqai J10/J11, Micra K12/K13/K14, Note E11/E12, Juke F15, Almera N16 — Clarion and Clarion/Bosch OEM platforms including NissanConnect
- Volvo — V40 II, V60 I, V70 II/III, XC60 I/II, XC70, XC90, C30, V50 — Clarion/Denso and Clarion/Philips HU-series units (HU-403, HU-613, HU-650, HU-803, HU-850)
- Mitsubishi — Outlander I–III, Colt Z30, Lancer VII/VIII, ASX — typically Clarion or Pioneer OEM fitment
- Subaru — Forester II–V, Impreza II/III, Legacy IV–VI, XV — Clarion-based OEM units
- Peugeot/Citroën — RD4/RD45 and Bosch/Clarion RD5/RT6 platform (shared with PSA group)
See the complete list at MyRenaultRadioCode.com/brands.
Serial Number Format
Clarion OEM serials are generally plain alphanumeric strings with no standardised prefix. The format varies by customer OEM:
- Honda: Serial typically starts with the unit part number (e.g.
39171-SVA-A13) followed by a barcode serial — the code serial is the separate barcode number - Nissan: Alphanumeric string on a white or silver sticker on the unit body
- Volvo HU-series: Serial on a sticker on the unit casing; some models show it via the head unit menu system
- Mitsubishi / Subaru: Plain numeric serial on the label
- Peugeot/Citroën: C7 barcode label (shared PSA platform with Bosch)
How to Find the Serial Number
- Remove the unit: Use DIN extraction keys or (for double-DIN units) a plastic pry tool to free the radio from its fascia. The serial sticker is normally on the top casing.
- Honda on-screen shortcut: Many Honda OEM Clarion units display the serial by pressing and holding preset button 1 while switching the ignition on, or via the 1 and 6 hold method.
- Volvo menu: On some Volvo HU-series units press LIST and navigate to the system info screen to display the serial.
How to Get Your Unlock Code
Visit MyRenaultRadioCode.com/brands, select your vehicle make (Honda, Nissan, Volvo, etc.), enter the full serial number including any leading letters, and receive the code by email within minutes.
How to Enter the Code
- Honda OEM (Clarion/Pioneer): With the radio powered and displaying
CODE, use preset buttons 1–4 to set each digit (each press increments by one), then press button 6 or hold the final preset to confirm. - Nissan OEM (Clarion/Bosch): Preset buttons 1–4 to cycle digits; button 5 or the source button to confirm.
- Volvo HU-series: The touchscreen displays a PIN pad — enter the digits and press OK.
- Mitsubishi / Subaru: Preset buttons 1–4; hold the last button to confirm.
| Vehicle Brand | Common Radio Model | OEM Manufacturer | Entry Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda | 39171-SVA-A13, OEM CD | Pioneer / Clarion | Presets 1–4, confirm 6 |
| Nissan | OEM CD / NissanConnect | Clarion / Bosch | Presets 1–4, confirm 5 |
| Volvo | HU-650, HU-850 | Clarion / Denso | Touchscreen |
| Mitsubishi | OEM CD | Clarion / Pioneer | Presets 1–4, hold last |
| Peugeot / Citroën | RD4, RT6 | Bosch / Clarion | Presets 1–4, confirm 6 |
Troubleshooting
- Display stays on CODE after correct entry: Ensure you are holding (not just pressing) the confirmation button. Some Honda units require a one-second hold.
- LOCKED message: After a set number of wrong attempts most Clarion units lock for 30–60 minutes. Turn the ignition off and wait before retrying.
- Volvo shows error after entry: Volvo HU-series codes are sometimes five digits. Check that your code has the correct number of digits; a leading zero is valid.
- NissanConnect touchscreen — no PIN prompt: Post-2013 NissanConnect units are increasingly vehicle-bound and may require dealer reactivation rather than a radio code.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CODE mean on my Honda Jazz radio?
Honda (and most Clarion OEM) radios enter a protective CODE state after any power interruption. The radio is fully functional once the correct four-digit code is entered. It is not a fault — it is a theft deterrent that activates on every power loss.
Can I get the code from the Honda dealer for free?
Some Honda dealers will provide the factory code if you can prove ownership and visit in person. However, the process can be time-consuming and is not always available for older or replacement units. An online serial-based lookup is typically faster.
My Nissan Qashqai J11 has NissanConnect — does it need a code?
Early J11 NissanConnect units (pre-2016) may need a radio code entered via the touchscreen. Later units are VIN-paired and require dealer reauthorisation. Check whether your unit shows a PIN prompt at startup; if it boots normally without one, no code entry is needed.
How do I find the serial on a Volvo V60 HU-850 without removing it?
On Volvo HU-850 and similar units there is often a system information screen accessible via the head unit menu (Settings → System Information). The serial number is listed there. If not, use a plastic trim removal tool — the Volvo HU-series slides out without DIN keys once the fascia trim is carefully popped off.
Is the Clarion OEM code the same across different vehicles?
No. Each unit has a unique serial number and a corresponding unique code. The same model of Clarion radio fitted in two different cars will almost certainly have different codes.