HONDA RADIO CODE FOR 2003 CIVIC

Try to locate the unique code number that will unlock the theft-protected audio system on your 2003 Honda Civic. It probably was imprinted on an anti-theft identification card that you should have received when you acquired the car. The code was printed on a document that came with your owner's manual packet

If you do not have the code, you will need to track down the audio system's serial number. In the case of the 2003 Honda Civic, finding the serial number may require seeking assistance from a Honda dealer. The dealer should be able to determine the audio system's special code number so you can reset the radio. With some newer Honda Civic models, the serial number can be retrieved electronically from the radio.

If you are able to locate the serial number of your 2003 Honda Civic's audio system without a dealer's assistance, you can obtain the special code by going online to the Honda Web site. You must first provide specific information to prove you own the car. For instance, you will need the Civic's vehicle identification number, or VIN, and the audio system's serial number.

When you know what the audio system's special code number is, use the preset buttons on the car radio to punch in the digits. This should reset the audio system, enabling you to resume using the radio and the CD player.


Read more: How to Reset Radio Information on a 2003 Honda Civic ' eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6056947_reset-information-2003-honda-civic.html#ixzz1FGPZq81d

remove radio and get the serial # off the radio and go to your local honda dealer and they should be able to help you obtain the code

Your missing two digits from the upper serial#. Turn the radio off, press and hold the 1 & 6 preset buttons, then turn the radio back on. First the Upper serial # come on with a four digit number for 5 seconds then the lower serial number comes on with the other four numbers. (note: the letters U and L are not part of the serial #. it just indicates the upper and lower order of the #'s)You'll need this 8 digit serial number to give to your local honda dealer. There they can run the serial # in the honda system to get your four digit radio security code.

FREE and EASY methods to get your Honda radio UNLOCK CODE. (Dealerships usually charge)

Assuming you don't have the Anti-Theft Code and Serial Number that is found on the credit card sized Anti-Theft Radio Identification Card that comes with the vehicle at the time of purchase and is usually found in the glove compartment....

You have FREE options to retrieve that code by phone or on the internet BUT, the RADIO SERIAL NUMBER is REQUIRED (no matter what). (see bottom about removing ERROR E3)

***IF your Honda was made BEFORE 2001 the serial number MAY not be accessible without removing the radio from the vehicle.***

* TO GET THE SERIAL NUMBER (so that you can get the unlock code)

1. Get something to write with and on (you'll need it to write down the serial number)
2. Put the ingnition key in and turn it until your able to turn your radio on (accessories position).
3. Then turn your radio OFF by it's knob/button (but leave the ingition key in place).
4. Hold down the preset buttons 1 and 6 at the same time.
5. Turn the radio on while pressing down both the 1 and 6 buttons.(***IF your Honda doesn't have preset buttons on the radio then hold down the top part of the 'Seek/Skip' button AND the top part of the 'Change Disk' button instead.*** )
6. Write down the 4 numbers you see first and then 4 more that display. These eight numbers are the SERIAL NUMBER. This is NOT your CODE.
7. Make sure your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is handy to get the unlock code. (can be found on your insurance card, driver's side door jam, small plate on dashboard by registration and inspection stickers, etc)

* TO GET THE UNLOCK CODE (using the radio Serial Number and VIN)

---Internet option:

1. Go to https://radio-navicode.honda.com/ (YES, it's run BY HONDA and IT'S FREE)
2. Follow on screen instructions (Serial Number and VIN required)
3. Type in the 5 digit code into your radio. This will unlock the radio and return it to a functional state.

-OR-

---Telephone option:

1. Call American Honda Customer Relations (800) 999-1009
2. When the automated message starts 'Press 3' for 'Radio and Navigation Codes'.
3. Tell the Customer Service Agent you need your radio code. (They will ask for your name, your radio's serial number, VIN, etc)
4. When they give you your radio unlock code--WRITE IT DOWN and KEEP IT SAFE!
5. Type in the 5 digit code into your radio. This will unlock the radio and return it to a functional state.

* REMOVING ERROR E3

****If you entered too many wrong codes and got an ERROR E3 message displaying you'll need to do an additional step for even the correct unlock code to work.****

Disconnect your negative battery terminal (or pull the radio fuse out if that's easier for you) for 30 seconds then reconnect it and then the radio will say "CODE" again and you can put in your correct unlock code.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So what happened to begin with?
See also: http://automobiles.honda.com/information/frequently-asked-questions.aspx?Question=2

If the power from your battery to the Honda radio is interrupted the Anti-Theft feature kicks in, the radio is rendered inoperable and the screen reads 'CODE'. You must enter in the Anti-Theft Radio Unlock Code (usually 5 digits) to make it operational again. You know that much by now.

Clean out your glove box.

Use a flashlight and look for a 5 digits sticker one the left side of the glove box (CLOSER to the radio) or under the truck.

Enter the code with KEY ON (not starting engine) position.

Write this number down on the owner's manual for future reference.

You only get like 10 tries this means you made to many attempts trying to put the wrong code in. Disconnect the battery cable and then try putting the code in the radio again.

If an audio unit with theft protection is disconnected from electrical power, you must enter a unique code number into the unit or it will not work. This code and the audio unit’s serial number are listed on the anti-theft ID card that comes with the vehicle. If this card is lost, you must obtain the audio unit serial number in order to get the radio code. Some newer vehicles allow you to retrieve the audio unit serial number electronically from the radio. Refer to your owner’s manual for the specific procedure. Some older vehicles (model year 2003 and older) require a visit to the dealer in order to retrieve the audio unit serial number. Once you have the audio unit serial number, you can call Auto Customer Service at (800) 999-1009 or have the dealer look up the radio code.

Did you finance the car? I financed mine through Honda Finance and signed up online for my account and they have the radio code available there. If that isn't an option, you can always go to the dealer for assistance.
I also found this on Honda's website:
The battery was disconnected from my vehicle and now my radio display is flashing “CODE” and the radio doesn’t work. Where can I find my radio code?If an audio unit with theft protection is disconnected from electrical power, you must enter a unique code number into the unit or it will not work. This code and the audio unit’s serial number are listed on the anti-theft ID card that comes with the vehicle. If this card is lost, you must obtain the audio unit serial number in order to get the radio code. Some newer vehicles allow you to retrieve the audio unit serial number electronically from the radio. Refer to your owner’s manual for the specific procedure. Some older vehicles (model year 2003 and older) require a visit to the dealer in order to retrieve the audio unit serial number. Once you have the audio unit serial number, you can call Auto Customer Service at (800) 999-1009 or have the dealer look up the radio code.

Hope this helps!  

-Tina

First a warning- STAY AWAY from the website service called "radio-codes dot com." They have no security measures in place to know if the unit is stolen or not. So don't pay them and encourage such practices. besides, they're just going to do what you can do yourself for free, and in a more ethical manner for all.
Okay, that said, your code may in fact be found somewhere on the car. It will be five digits: Try for a small sticker in the glovebox or on the outer side of the glovebox. Maybe even try looking for it under the ashtray. Up under the trunk space somewhere. If it can't be found, the 8-digit radio serial number may be, and you will need that to get the code. However, you can get the serial number electronically on almost all models except '03-'07 Accords w/navigation in six, or six and 1/2 steps...
STEP ONE: get a pen and paper handy, or a friend with a photographic memory.
STEP TWO: turn on ignition
STEP THREE: turn on audio unit and check if you see "COdE" in display-- if not, pull the backup fuse or battery cables again for 1 minute or longer and until you do).
STEP FOUR: turn off audio unit.
STEP FIVE: press and hold the preset buttons "1" and "6" simulatneously, then turn on the audio unit. The display will toggle back and forth between two screens-- the first showing the letter U followed by four numbers (WRITE THESE DOWN!) and the second display showing a letter L followed by four numbers (yep, you guessed it WRITE THESE DOWN NEXT!)
Forget about the U and the L. The eight numbers -big or small in size- make up your serial number (NOT YOUR UNLOCK CODE).
STEP SIX: If the car is registered with Honda USA, you can simply go to the website
https://radio-navicode.honda.com/ to get the radio unlock code for free. (they will tell you the info that you will need to prove you're not the theif who simply stole your radio (ie: the serial number you just retrieved, the VIN, and probably your name and the address the car would be registered with them under).
STEP SIX AND A HALF: If you don't have luck there, proof of ownership, the VIN, and the unit's serial number should be all you need to get it from a dealer. They might charge 25 bucks, or they might not if you seem like or act like a regular.
Hope this helps. My first solution. But it worked 100% for myself.

Check in the glove compartment, their "should be" a sticker with a 5 digit code.