How to Find Your Ford Radio Code
If your Ford's audio system isn't working, you might need to enter an anti-theft radio code in order to resume listening to music. For more information, click here.
Written by Andrew Biro
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
In the event that you’ve recently had to replace your Ford’s battery, you may be required to enter a radio code before you’re able to use the stereo or sound system again. The location of this code can vary by model, but most Ford vehicles have the radio code printed on a card in the owner’s manual, so look there first.
Though you may have never heard of it before today, your Ford uses a simple security measure called a radio code to deter would-be stereo thieves from making off with your sound system. This is quite a handy feature to have, but you will need to have the code ready if you ever replace your Ford’s battery—but first, you’ll need to know where to find it.
That’s where licensed
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comparison app
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Why your Ford needs a radio code
You might be a little confused if this is the first time you've ever seen a "code" message flash on your Ford's radio before—after all, you've never needed a code to listen to music before, right? Why is this time any different?
Simply put, your radio will request a code whenever the battery in your car has died or been replaced as a security measure to thwart opportunistic stereo thieves. If you don't have
sound system insurance
, this feature is especially helpful.This security measure can, of course, quickly become annoying if you don't have the code on hand or have it memorized, as you won't be able to use the radio again until it's entered.
How to find your Ford radio code
In most cases, the easiest way to find your Ford’s radio code is by locating the card or sticker it’s printed on—the exact location can vary depending on the model and model year, but you should be able to find the card in your owner’s manual. If you’ve misplaced your owner’s manual, check your glove box—this is a common location for the sticker to be placed.
The radio code will usually be denoted as the “Anti-Theft Radio Code” and consists of five characters—you should also find the radio’s serial code printed alongside the radio code.
How to look up your Ford radio code
If you can’t locate the radio code in your owner’s manual or printed on a sticker in your vehicle, you can still look it up online—you’ll just need a few more pieces of information.
To look up your Ford Radio code, you will need to know your radio’s serial number and—usually—your vehicle identification number (VIN), as well. Check below for tips on how to find these numbers:
- Serial number: If your Ford was manufactured before 2004, you’ll need to remove the radio unit to find the serial number—but if you have a 2004 or newer model, you can find your serial number by holding down preset buttons 1 and 6/2 and 6 on the radio for a few seconds. The serial number will always begin with a “V” or “M” and consist of six numbers.
- VIN: Your Ford’s VIN—an alpha-numeric 17-character sequence—can be found on your insurance card, in your vehicle registration paperwork, and on a small plaque at the base of the driver’s side dashboard.
After you’ve located these numbers, you can look up your Ford radio code online by visiting
this website
or by calling Ford at 1-(800)-392-3673 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday, or between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays. You will also need to be able to provide your zip code, email address, and phone number.MORE: Car loans for Ford 2022
How to upgrade your Ford’s insurance coverage
If you can’t find the card or sticker with your Ford’s radio code, the process to go about finding it can be a bit tricky—the same can’t be said, however, for upgrading your
Ford’s car insurance
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