2006-2011

Radio Code Honda Civic VIII

Changed the battery, used jump leads or drained the battery flat — and now your Civic sits idle while the display shows **"--"** or **"CODE"**. The Clarion radio in the Honda Civic VIII locks itself after a loss of power. Without the correct code it stays dead.

Summary

Brand: Honda
Generation: Civic VIII
Production years: 2006-2011
Standard radio: 39171-SVA-A13 / 39171-SNB-E01; Clarion
Radio option 2: Premium Sound System; Clarion

Changed the battery, used jump leads or drained the battery flat — and now your Civic sits idle while the display shows "--" or "CODE". The Clarion radio in the Honda Civic VIII locks itself after a loss of power. Without the correct code it stays dead.

Which radio is fitted in the Civic VIII?

Honda supplied the eighth-generation Civic (2006–2011, internal codes FD, FN, FA, FG) with a Clarion head unit. The accompanying speakers are made by Pioneer, but it's the Clarion unit that manages the security code.

The exact part number varies by region:

Europe: 39171-SNB-E01 (also E02, E11 — minor variants by model year)
North America: 39171-SVA-A13
Australia/Japan: different numbers, but the same Clarion platform

Higher-spec versions — the EX and the Si Coupé — got the Premium Sound System: a separate Clarion amplifier under the rear seat or in the boot, connected to the same head unit. This makes no difference to how you enter the code.

All variants use a five-digit security code (some early European models have a four-digit code — check your documentation).

Where do you find the radio code?

When your Civic was delivered, a Security Code Card was included with the documents — a small white card with the radio code and the chassis number. Look here:

In the service booklet — Honda often tucks the card between the first few pages or in the pocket at the back.

With the spare key — Many dealers supply an envelope with key stickers and the code card.

In the glovebox — Sometimes stuck to the inside of the flap.

Sticker on the radio chassis — On some models Honda placed a sticker with the code directly on the side of the radio. No card? Then you'll need to read off the serial number.

Removing the radio from the Civic VIII

The Civic VIII has a hidden mounting system: the radio is held behind a removable panel around the centre console. No separate release keys are needed — you'll have to remove the dashboard trim.

What do you need?

A plastic trim removal tool or a thin plastic spatula (no metal — that scratches the finish).
About ten minutes.

Step by step

Switch off the ignition and remove the key.

Find the seam of the centre panel — the plastic cover around the radio and the heater.

Start at the bottom of the panel, insert the plastic spatula into the seam and prise it loose. The panel is held with clips, not screws.

Work upwards along the sides. You'll hear a click each time a clip releases.

Once the panel is free, you'll see two screws (Phillips or Torx) holding the radio in place.

Remove the screws and slide the radio ten to fifteen centimetres forward.

Don't disconnect the plugs — the cables are long enough to read the sticker. ### Alternative without dismantling On some Civic VIII models you can pull the radio forward a short distance without removing the entire panel, by gently pressing in the two sides of the frame. This doesn't work on all examples.

Reading off the serial number

The serial number is on a white barcode sticker on the left-hand side of the Clarion chassis. Sometimes there's also a sticker on the top.

The format is usually: PH or HN followed by a string of eight to ten alphanumeric characters. For example: PH009A12345678.

Points to watch

Don't confuse the letter I with the digit 1, or the letter O with 0.
Use your phone's torch — the sticker is often in a shadowy corner.
Is the sticker damaged? Photograph the barcode; a barcode scanner app can sometimes read the number even when the text is illegible.

Entering the code on the Honda Civic VIII

The entry procedure for the Clarion radio:

Switch on the ignition. The engine doesn't need to be running.

The display shows "--" or "CODE".

Use preset buttons 1, 2, 3 and 4 to set the four (or five) digits. Each press increments the digit by one (0 → 1 → ... → 9 → 0).

Check each digit on the display before continuing.

Press and hold button 6 (or the rightmost preset button) for two seconds to confirm the code. If the code is correct, the radio starts playing immediately. ### Five-digit code If your radio requires a five-digit code, you also use button 5 for the fifth digit, and then confirm with button 6.

Clearing the lockout

After two or three incorrect attempts, "ERR" appears on the display and the radio refuses further input.

Here's how to reset the lockout:

Leave the ignition on — key on "on", engine off.

Wait at least sixty minutes. On some Clarion units this takes ninety minutes.

Do not turn the ignition off and do not disconnect the battery during the wait.

After the waiting period, "--" or "CODE" appears again.

Now enter the correct code. You get another two or three attempts.

Difference from the Civic VII and Civic IX

The seventh-generation Civic (2001–2005) had, depending on the body style, either an Alpine or a Clarion radio — the entry method differs. The ninth generation (2012–2017) switched to a newer system with USB and Bluetooth, but in many cases still retains a security code.

Do you have built-in navigation (Honda Navigation System)? Then the navigation unit has a separate code alongside the radio code.

Ordering the radio code

With the serial number of your Clarion radio you can request the official Honda radio code quickly and easily.

Order your Honda Civic VIII radio code via RadioCodeLookup.com →

Frequently asked questions

The Civic VIII (2006-2011) comes as standard with a Clarion head unit and Pioneer speakers. The part number varies by region: 39171-SVA-A13 for North America, 39171-SNB-E01 for Europe. The Premium Sound System has a separate Clarion amplifier.

The serial number is on a white sticker on the left-hand side of the radio. You'll need to slide the radio partly out of the dashboard to reach it. It usually starts with the letters 'PH' or 'HN' followed by eight to ten characters.

Switch on the ignition. The display shows '--'. Use preset buttons 1 to 4 to set the four digits. Each press increments the digit. Then press and hold button 6 for two seconds to confirm. If the code is correct, the radio starts immediately.

ERR appears after two or three incorrect code attempts. The radio locks itself. Leave the ignition on for at least an hour without starting the car. After that you can try again.

Yes, but the dealer usually asks for proof of ownership and charges a fee. A faster and cheaper method is to read off the serial number and order the code online via RadioCodeLookup.com.

Need a Honda radio code?

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

Order radio code

Laatst bijgewerkt: 2026-04-10