1998-2004

Radio Code Ford Focus Mk1

The first-generation Ford Focus was the car that replaced the Escort and instantly became a bestseller. Between 1998 and 2004, well over a million were sold across Europe. The radio — typically a Ford 4500 RDS — is an older generation than the one in the Focus Mk2, and you'll notice this from the M-code rather than the V-code.

Summary

Brand: Ford
Generation: Focus Mk1
Production years: 1998-2004
Standard radio: Ford 4500 RDS; Visteon
Radio option 2: Ford 5000 RDS EON; Visteon
Radio option 3: Ford 6000 CD; Visteon

Which radio is fitted in the Focus Mk1?

The Focus Mk1 came with one of three possible radios:

Ford 4500 RDS — The standard radio. A cassette radio with RDS made by Visteon. Compact display, six preset buttons. Uses an M-code for identification. This is the radio you'll find in most Focus Mk1 examples.

Ford 5000 RDS EON — A slightly more advanced variant with better reception (EON = Enhanced Other Networks). Otherwise identical in terms of security.

Ford 6000 CD — In later Focus Mk1 models (from around 2002), the CD variant appeared. This uses a V-code instead of an M-code. See our article on the Focus Mk2 for details about the 6000 CD.

Ford 4500 RDS in detail

The Ford 4500 RDS is a cassette-deck radio with a single-line display about 1 inch high. The display shows text in green or blue-green and clearly displays the message "CODE" if the power is interrupted. The radio has six preset buttons (1 to 6), a volume knob on the left-hand side and a cassette slot. There is no CD player — that combination wasn't yet standard in the Focus Mk1 era.

In terms of appearance, the 4500 RDS strongly resembles the 5000 RDS EON. The difference lies in the labelling: the 5000 has the word "EON" or "5000" on the front panel, while the 4500 simply says "4500 RDS".

Reading the M-code via the display

The Ford 4500 RDS can show the M-code on the display — you don't need to remove the radio.

Turn the ignition on. The display shows "CODE".

Press and hold button 2 and button 6 at the same time.

After a few seconds the M-code appears: a letter M followed by six digits. For example: M034521.

Make a note of this code. ### M-code vs V-code: the difference This is the most confusing characteristic of Ford radios, because the procedure is almost identical but just slightly different: | Feature | M-code | V-code | |------------|--------|--------| | Button combination | Button 2 + Button 6 | Button 1 + Button 6 | | Radios | Ford 4500 RDS, 5000 RDS EON | Ford 6000 CD, Ford Sony | | Era | 1998-2002 | 2002 and later | | Prefix | Letter M + 6 digits | Letter V + 6 digits | If you accidentally use the wrong buttons (1+6 on an M-code radio), nothing will appear — the display simply keeps showing "CODE". There is no error message. In that case, try 2+6 instead. Does your Focus Mk1 have a 6000 CD? Then use buttons 1+6 for the V-code. The M-code procedure with 2+6 doesn't work on the 6000 CD.

Where do you find the radio code?

Ford supplied a code card with the Focus Mk1. The usual places to look:

Glovebox — a sticker or a loose card
Audio Guide booklet — the small instruction booklet for the radio
Boot — a sticker under the floor covering
With the keys

Removing the radio

The Ford 4500 RDS is held in place by the same half-round pin system as later Ford radios.

Tools: Four Ford release keys (PC5-132). Cost: four to eight pounds.

Steps:

Turn the ignition off.

Insert the four pins into the holes around the radio.

Push in until you feel a click.

Pull the radio straight towards you. The M-code and serial number are printed on the label on the back or top.

Entering the code

Turn the ignition on. The display shows "CODE".

Press button 1 for the first digit. Each press increases it by one.

Set the remaining digits using buttons 2, 3 and 4.

Confirm with button 5. Once the correct code is entered, the radio will start playing.

Locked out?

Ford gives you ten attempts. After ten incorrect codes, the display shows "LOCKED". Leave the ignition on for thirty minutes to reset.

Ordering the radio code

With the M-code from your Ford 4500 RDS, you can order the radio code directly online.

Order your Ford Focus Mk1 radio code via RadioCodeLookup.com →

Other Ford generations

Frequently asked questions

The Focus Mk1 usually had a Ford 4500 RDS (cassette) or a 5000 RDS EON. Later models (from 2002) could have a Ford 6000 CD. The 4500 and 5000 use an M-code, the 6000 CD a V-code.

The M-code is found in older Ford radios (before 2004) and is read using buttons 2+6. The V-code is found in newer models and is read using buttons 1+6. The Focus Mk1 usually has an M-code.

Press and hold button 2 and button 6 at the same time while the display shows CODE. The M-code appears: a letter M followed by six digits. If no code appears, the serial number can only be read from the label on the radio.

With four Ford half-round removal pins (PC5-132). Insert them into the holes around the radio, push in until you feel a click and pull the radio straight towards you.

Yes, but the display is smaller than on the 6000 CD. You will see CODE appear. Use the same method: buttons 1-4 for the digits, confirm with button 5.

Need a Ford radio code?

Safe and fast via RadioCodeLookup.com — all you need is the serial number.

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Laatst bijgewerkt: 2026-04-10