How do I find the anti-theft code for my Honda Accord?

The anti-theft code you’ll most often need for a Honda Accord is the radio security code, and it’s usually printed on a small card tucked with the owner's manual or stored in the glove box. If that card is missing, you can retrieve the radio’s serial number and have Honda or an authorized dealer generate the code for you. The immobilizer/anti-theft system, however, does not rely on a user-entered numeric code and is handled through keys and dealer reprogramming when needed.

In Honda terms, "anti-theft" can refer to two separate protections: the radio security code and the engine immobilizer. This guide explains how to locate or recover each, and what to do if you can’t find the necessary codes.

Finding the radio security code

Use this checklist to locate the radio code card or recover the code by obtaining the radio’s serial number.

• Check the glove box for a small card labeled with a "Code" or "Security Code"—many Honda owners store it there.


• Inspect the owner’s manual or the included code wallet for a printed radio code or a sticker with the number.


• Look in likely hiding spots such as the center console storage, underside of the ashtray, or the glove box lid for a code label.


• If the card is missing, locate the radio’s serial number by following model-specific steps in the manual or by asking a dealer. A common method is to display the serial number by turning the ignition on and pressing a pair of preset buttons on the radio (often 1 and 6) for a few seconds until the display shows the serial.


• Provide the vehicle VIN and radio serial number to your Honda dealer or an authorized service center to obtain the unobfuscated radio code.

Once you have the code, you can enter it into the radio when prompted after a power loss or reinstallation. If you cannot locate the card, the serial-number approach is your reliable alternative.

How to display the radio serial number

The precise steps vary by year and model. A common method is: turn the ignition on, switch the radio to a live display, and press and hold the 1 and 6 preset buttons until a code or serial number appears. If this does not work for your Accord, consult your manual or contact your dealer for model-specific instructions.

Understanding the immobilizer/anti-theft system

The engine immobilizer is an anti-theft feature that recognizes authorized keys. There is typically no user-entered numeric code for this system; instead, a lost or malfunctioning key requires reprogramming or replacement by a dealer or licensed locksmith.

• Recognize that immobilizer issues are about key recognition rather than a keypad code, so inputting numbers will not help.


• Contact your Honda dealer or an automotive locksmith with your VIN and proof of ownership to reprogram or replace keys and re-sync the immobilizer.


• Be prepared for potential diagnostic time and costs; in some cases, the vehicle may need to be towed to the service location.

With the right documentation and service, the immobilizer can be reprogrammed to recognize new or existing keys and restore normal starting functionality.

What to bring to the dealer or locksmith

Having the right paperwork ready speeds up the process and reduces the risk of delays.

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)


• Proof of ownership (title, registration, or bill of sale)


• All keys/remotes you have for the car


• Any labels or serial numbers you could locate on the radio or in the owner’s manual

Presenting these items helps the service professional verify ownership and access the correct codes or reprogramming tools quickly.

Summary

The most common anti-theft code for a Honda Accord is the radio security code, usually found on a code card in the glove box or owner's manual. If the card is missing, the radio serial number can be used to obtain the code from Honda or a dealership. The immobilizer system does not require a user-entered code; if you have immobilizer starting issues, a dealer or locksmith can reprogram keys and re-sync the system with proper documentation. By locating the code card, retrieving the serial, and coordinating with the dealer, you can restore your car’s security features efficiently.

Where can I find my Honda security code?

Locating the Serial Number and Security Code
Depending on the model, they can be found on the driver's side door jamb, the glove box area, or the center console. In some cases, the serial number is engraved onto the metal of the car itself, usually near the base of the windshield or on the dashboard.

Where is the anti-theft code on a Honda Accord?

The anti-theft code for a Honda Accord is located on a sticker inside the glove box or in the owner's manual, often on a card with the radio's serial number. If you can't find it there, you can retrieve it online using your VIN and radio serial number from the Honda MyGarage website, or by contacting a Honda dealer.
 
Where to find the code

• Glove Box: Look for a sticker with the radio's serial number and the anti-theft code, or an "Anti Theft Identification Card". 
• Owner's Manual: The code may be printed on a card inside the manual or on a sticker on the inside front cover or in the audio section. 
• Online: Use the Honda MyGarage website to get the code online by entering your VIN, phone number, email, and zip code. 
• Contact a Honda Dealer: A dealership can look up the code for you using your VIN and proof of ownership. 

This video demonstrates how to find the anti-theft code on the radio itself: 59sKIT'S Auto and Truck RepairYouTube · Sep 24, 2021
How to get the serial number (if needed)
If you can't find the code but need the serial number to look it up, you can often retrieve it from the radio itself: 

1. Press and hold the radio preset buttons 1 and 6.
2. Turn on the ignition and the radio.
3. The display will toggle between a screen starting with "U" (the first four digits of the serial number) and a screen starting with "L" (the last four digits).
4. Record the full 8-digit serial number.

How do I find my anti-theft code?

You can find an anti-theft code by checking the owner's manual, looking for a sticker on the glove box or in the center console, or contacting the dealership. For some vehicles, you can retrieve the code online using your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or the radio's serial number.
 
This video explains how to find your car's radio code: 56sStudent LessonYouTube · Mar 21, 2025
Common methods

• Check the owner's manual: Look for a sticker or card inside the manual, often with the label "Anti-Theft Radio Code". 
• Inspect the glove box: Some manufacturers place a sticker with the code inside the glove box, sometimes on a small card. 
• Visit the manufacturer's website: Many automakers have a dedicated section on their website where you can enter your VIN and/or radio serial number to retrieve the code. 
• Contact the dealership: Provide them with your VIN and proof of ownership. They can look up the code for you. 
• Contact the previous owner: If you bought the car used, the previous owner may have the code written down or saved with the original paperwork. 

This video shows how to find the serial number of your car radio: 52sCrazy Honda ChrisYouTube · Feb 24, 2023
What if I can't find the code?

• Retrieve the radio serial number: For many systems, you'll need the radio's serial number. You can often find this by pressing a combination of buttons on the radio itself, like holding down buttons 1 and 6 while turning the radio on. 
• Provide proof of ownership: When contacting the dealership or manufacturer, you will need to prove that you own the vehicle. Have your VIN and registration or title information ready. 

This video demonstrates how to get the serial number of your Honda radio: 58sFixin ItYouTube · May 17, 2022

How do I get my radio code for my Honda Accord?

You can retrieve a Honda Accord radio code online at the Honda website using your VIN and radio serial number, by contacting a local Honda dealer, or by checking your vehicle's glove box or owner's manual for a sticker or card containing the code. The online method is often the quickest, and you can receive the code via email.
 
This video explains how to find the radio code online: 1mFisher AutoYouTube · Mar 22, 2022
Method 1: Online retrieval

1. Locate your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the radio's serial number. The VIN is on the driver's side of the dashboard, visible through the windshield. The serial number may be on a sticker in the glove box or on a sticker inside the glove box door, or it may require a specific button combination to display on the radio screen. 
2. Visit the Honda Radio-NAVicode website. 
3. Enter your VIN, radio serial number, and contact information, and submit the form. 
4. The radio code will be sent to you via email. 

Method 2: In-person

1. Check your vehicle: Look for a sticker or card with the radio code in your glove box or owner's manual. 
2. Contact a dealer: If you cannot find the code, contact a local Honda dealership and provide them with your VIN and radio serial number. They can look up the code for you. 

This video demonstrates how to find the radio code in the glove box: 48sThe Christian Barber | Grooming & InspirationYouTube · Jul 20, 2023
Method 3: Display the radio serial number (if the code isn't available) 

1. Turn the ignition to the ACC position and turn off the radio. 
2. Press and hold the top halves of the SEEK/SKIP and CH/DISC buttons, then press the PWR/VOL knob. 
3. The display will show the radio's serial number, which you can then use to get the code online or from a dealer. 

This video shows how to display the radio serial number: 38sKIT'S Auto and Truck RepairYouTube · Sep 24, 2021