2011-2017Platform TA

Radio code Kia Picanto II

The Kia Picanto II is a popular city car that rarely lets its owners down. But after a battery change or replacing a fuse, "CODE" sometimes appears unexpectedly on the radio display. This article explains how to enter the correct code quickly and safely — including a well-known trick that works straight away on many Picanto IIs.

Summary

Brand: Kia
Generation: Picanto II
Production years: 2011-2017
Standard radio: Mobis OEM; Hyundai Mobis

Which radio is fitted in the Kia Picanto II?

The Picanto II (2011–2017) has a Hyundai Mobis OEM radio. Hyundai Mobis is the standard radio supplier for all Kia and Hyundai models from 2005 to 2018. You can recognise it by its uniform appearance — a simple 1-DIN unit with preset buttons and a compact display.

All Mobis units in the Picanto II are protected with a 4-digit code. There is no difference between trim levels when it comes to the code requirement — every Picanto II has one.

The 1212 trick: does it work on your Picanto?

The Kia Picanto II has a quirk that other brands don't share: on many Mobis units from this generation the radio code can be worked out using a simple formula.

The formula: Take the last 4 digits of the radio's serial number and add 1212. The result is the radio code.

Example: The serial number ends in ...0340 → 0340 + 1212 = 1552

But beware: This formula works on around 60 to 70% of the older Mobis units (2005–2015). On the rest, the result is incorrect. Use the formula as a first attempt, but bear in mind that you only get three to five attempts before the radio locks.

Want to be sure? Request the code using the serial number from a specialist service. Then you'll know for certain without risking a lockout.

Where can you find the radio code?

When the Picanto II was originally delivered, a code card was sometimes included in the documentation folder. Look in these places:

In the glovebox — On the inside of the lid or in a notebook.

In the service booklet — Small cards are sometimes tucked in with the maintenance history.

Via a Kia dealer — With your VIN, the serial number and proof of ownership. No card? Then you'll need the radio's serial number.

Removing the radio from the Kia Picanto II

The Picanto II has a compact interior. The radio unit sits behind a trim panel that runs around the centre console.

Tools

Plastic trim pry tool
Phillips screwdriver PH2
Torx T20 bits if required

Step by step

Turn off the ignition and remove the key.

Unclip the trim panel around the radio with a plastic trim pry tool. Start at the bottom or side and work your way around. The panel has plastic clips — don't use metal tools, to avoid scratches.

Once the trim panel is off, the four screws holding the radio unit become visible (Phillips or Torx).

Undo the screws and carefully pull the unit straight forwards.

Pull the unit five to eight centimetres out of the dashboard. The connectors are long enough; you don't need to disconnect them.

Read off the serial number from the label on the back or side of the unit.

Reading off the serial number

The serial number of the Mobis OEM radio is on a label on the back or side of the unit. The format is alphanumeric, typically 10 to 16 characters. There is no fixed prefix like on VAG or Nissan radios.

Tips

Pay close attention to the last four digits — you need these for the 1212 formula or when requesting the code.
Take a photo of the full label. Mobis labels can be hard to read in poor lighting.
Some Kia Picanto II models also show the serial number via a test menu in the radio. Consult the manual for your specific radio for the exact button combination.

Entering the code on the Kia Picanto II

The entry procedure for Mobis OEM radios:

Turn the ignition on (position II). The engine doesn't need to be running.

The display shows "CODE".

Press preset 1 repeatedly until the first digit of your code appears.

Set the second digit with preset 2.

Set the third digit with preset 3.

Set the fourth digit with preset 4.

Press OK or hold down preset 5 to confirm. With a correct code the radio starts straight away. With an incorrect code the display counts down the remaining attempts.

Resolving a lockout

After three to five incorrect entry attempts the Mobis radio locks for 30 to 60 minutes. On some units the lockout becomes permanent after repeated wrong attempts, until a dealer resets the radio.

Here's how to recover from a temporary lockout:

Leave the ignition on — key in position II, engine not started.

Wait at least 30 minutes (60 minutes on some units).

Do not disconnect the battery — that makes no difference to the lockout.

After the waiting time, "CODE" appears again. Recommendation: Make sure you have the correct code before you start. Request the code online using the serial number — then you can be sure your first or second attempt hits the mark.

Picanto II versus Picanto III: both have a code

The Picanto II, and also the Picanto III (2017-present) with the standard Mobis radio, require a code. Only Picanto III versions with UVO Connect (Kia's own connectivity system) have no traditional PIN. You can recognise UVO Connect by its full touchscreen display without preset buttons.

Ordering a radio code

With the serial number of your Mobis OEM radio you can request the code directly online. Enter the serial number on RadioCodeOpvragen.nl and receive the code within minutes by email.

Order your Kia radio code via RadioCodeOpvragen.nl →

Other Kia generations

Frequently asked questions

The Picanto II has a Hyundai Mobis OEM radio. This is the standard radio supplier for all Kia and Hyundai models from 2005 to 2018. The serial number is alphanumeric and can be found on the back of the unit.

For some Picanto IIs the following formula works: take the last 4 digits of the serial number and add 1212. This works on around 60-70% of the older Mobis units. Try it first, but be careful with the number of attempts.

After three to five incorrect attempts the radio locks for 30 to 60 minutes. Some Mobis units require dealer intervention after repeated lockouts. So only use the 1212 formula if you are fairly confident about the result.

The Picanto II has a 1-DIN radio with a surrounding trim panel. Unclip the trim panel with a plastic pry tool, remove the four screws and pull the unit forwards.

Need a Kia radio code?

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

Order radio code

Laatst bijgewerkt: 2026-04-10