Honda Radio Code — Serial Number Guide
Honda OEM radios lock themselves whenever the car's battery is disconnected or goes flat — this is standard anti-theft behaviour across the whole range. The radio will display a code prompt and wait for you to enter either a four-digit or five-digit unlock code. To retrieve that code you need the serial number from the radio unit. This guide covers the full Honda range from the Civic VI (1995) to the CR-V IV (2018), including the 39171-SVA-A13 unit found in the Jazz and Civic VIII.
Honda Radio Serial Number: Where to Find It
Honda OEM radios are supplied by Clarion, Alpine and Pioneer depending on the model year and market. The serial number label is on the casing of the head unit.
- Remove the unit — on most Honda models the radio sits in a standard DIN aperture. Use two DIN-release keys (or two bent wire tools) to depress the clips on either side of the unit. Slide the unit out, and read the serial from the label on the top or side of the casing.
- On-screen display (later units) — on some Civic IX (2011–2015) and HR-V II (2015–2021) head units with an Info button, press and hold 1 and 6 simultaneously while turning on the ignition. This activates a diagnostic display that shows the serial number on screen.
- Vehicle handbook — Honda UK sometimes included a code card in the handbook wallet. Check behind the documentation pouch in the glovebox.
Got your serial? Head to our radio code lookup now.
How to Enter a Honda Radio Code
Four-digit code entry (most Honda models)
- Switch on the ignition and radio; the display shows CODE or Enter Code.
- Press preset button 1 repeatedly until the first digit of your code is displayed.
- Press button 2 repeatedly for the second digit, and so on through button 4.
- Press the AUDIO button (or the designated confirm button on your unit) to submit.
Five-digit code entry (some Civic VIII and CR-V models)
The process is identical but extends across five preset buttons. Use buttons 1–5 to set each digit, then confirm with the AUDIO or OK button.
Common Honda Radio Models
| Radio Model | Honda Models / Years | OEM Supplier | Code Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM CD / AM-FM | Civic VI (EJ/EK, 1995–2001), Civic VII (EP/EU, 2000–2005) | Clarion | 4 digits |
| OEM CD | Jazz I (GD, 2001–2008), Jazz II (GE/GG, 2008–2015) | Alpine / Clarion | 4 digits |
| 39171-SVA-A13 | Civic VIII (FD/FN/FK, 2005–2011), Insight II (ZE2, 2009–2014) | Pioneer / Clarion | 5 digits |
| OEM CD | Civic IX (FB/FG, 2011–2015), CR-V III (RE, 2006–2012) | Pioneer / Clarion | 4 or 5 digits |
| OEM CD / touchscreen | Jazz III (GK, 2015–2020), CR-V IV (RM, 2012–2018), HR-V II (RU, 2015–2021) | Alpine / Clarion / Pioneer | 4 or 5 digits |
Honda Model Overview
- Jazz I/II (2001–2015) — Clarion or Alpine units; four-digit code
- Jazz III (2015–2020) — Pioneer/Clarion; four-digit code
- Civic VI/VII (1995–2005) — Clarion OEM; four-digit code
- Civic VIII (2005–2011) — Pioneer (39171-SVA-A13); five-digit code common
- Civic IX (2011–2015) — Pioneer/Clarion; four or five digits
- Civic X (2015–2021) — Honda Link touchscreen; code via settings menu
- CR-V III/IV (2006–2018) — Alpine/Clarion; five-digit code on many units
- Insight II (2009–2014) — Pioneer; five-digit code
- HR-V II (2015–2021) — Clarion/Pioneer; four or five digits
Troubleshooting Honda Radio Lock States
- Err 1 / Err 2 — one or two incorrect code attempts. You still have remaining attempts — double-check your code before trying again.
- Err E — the maximum number of attempts has been reached. Leave the ignition on for one hour continuously. After one hour the display should reset to allow a fresh attempt.
- Code prompt not appearing — on some models the prompt only shows after pressing the AUDIO button with ignition on. If the display is completely blank, check the radio fuse.
- Wrong number of digits — confirm whether your unit requires four or five digits before starting. The 39171-SVA-A13 unit fitted to many Civic VIII models uses five digits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Honda code is four digits or five digits?
The number of digits depends on the radio model. Most Jazz, older Civic and CR-V units use four digits. Civic VIII (2005–2011) units — particularly those with the part number 39171-SVA-A13 — use five digits. When you look up the code using your serial, the correct number of digits will be returned automatically.
Why does my Honda Jazz show "Code" after I charged the battery?
Even a brief voltage dip during a battery charge can be enough to trigger the anti-theft lock on Honda OEM radios. The radio detects that power was interrupted and requires the unlock code to be re-entered. It is a feature, not a fault.
How can I display the Honda serial without removing the radio?
On many Honda units, press and hold buttons 1 and 6 simultaneously while switching on the ignition. After a few seconds a service screen appears showing the serial number. This works on a wide range of Jazz II, Civic VIII and IX units. If nothing happens, the unit may require physical removal to read the label.
My Honda CR-V has a five-button code entry — is that normal?
Yes, certain CR-V III and CR-V IV units use a five-digit code, which is entered using preset buttons 1–5 in the same way as a four-digit code. This is more common on units supplied by Pioneer.
Can I get the Honda radio code from the VIN?
Honda dealers in the UK can sometimes supply the code from the VIN record, but this typically requires proof of ownership and a workshop visit. Our online lookup using the radio serial number is immediate, available at any time, and does not require a dealer visit. Find your Honda code here.
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