If you’re old enough (long before the phrase “Honda Radio Code” meant anything), you might be able to remember the old days of setting radio presets where you’d pull out a mechanical button, set the station you want to assign that button, and then push it back in again with a loud clunk. With infotainment, touchscreens and a navigation system, those days, of course, are long gone now (unless you’re driving, say, a ‘67 Plymouth), and there’s more to setting the radio up the way you’d like it.
When you install a new battery in your Honda, the radio is going to be without a reference voltage for its memory, for long enough that it can “forget” radio presets. We’ll walk you through what you need to do to get those radio codes and set the radio up the way you want it again. This is a process that’s the same on Civic, Accord, Odyssey, CR-V and Pilot models.
Like we mentioned, the number one reason why your Honda vehicle will ask for the radio code is in the event of an interruption to its electrical reference voltage. That might mean replacing the battery, disconnecting a battery cable, or having the battery go completely dead. A failing alternator can also result in losing the radio’s presets, but if your alternator is giving you problems, the radio is going to be the least of your concerns. In most cases, you can turn on the radio’s power, press the power button for two seconds, and the radio will be able to recall its settings and can operate normally without having to enter the code. That’s not always the case, though.
If the reset process mentioned above didn’t work, here are the steps you can take to access the radio codes and reset the radio.
If you’re still confused, you can consult the the Honda Owner’s Guide to walk you through the necessary steps.
NOTE: if you see the ERR message on the radio’s screen, disconnect the battery (black cable) and leave the battery disconnected for one to three minutes. When you reconnect the battery cable, you should see the CODE message again and can follow the last two steps to enter the code. This may seem like a lot of trouble to go through, but for years automakers have had the same kind of security protocol for things like resetting a key fob, with its alarm/unlock functions and the tiny RFID transmitter it needs to work with the ignition switch.
NOTE: If you can’t make it to a Honda dealer in Gurnee, IL, you can visit the main Honda website, click on the “Get Codes” tab, and enter your vehicle’s VIN number and radio serial number along with your zip code, phone number, and email address. The website can then give you the security codes you need.
Don’t struggle with your vehicle’s radio — just go through the steps we laid out above, come by our parts department, and we’ll be happy to give you the security codes you need to get your radio going again. And don’t hesitate to come see us for any other issues you might have with your Honda. You can count on us for factory-trained technicians, genuine Honda factory parts, and expert service