Why Is the Radio Asking for a Code?
Honda's Display Audio system uses the same anti-theft design as earlier radios: losing battery power activates a code request at next startup. Applies to both the non-touchscreen radio and the Display Audio unit.
- Battery replacement — the most common trigger.
- Battery disconnect during repairs — any work that cuts battery power will re-engage the lock.
- Completely dead battery — a fully discharged battery has the same result.
Worth knowing: many higher-trim Display Audio models from the 2014–2021 period might not use a traditional code-based lock — if the radio never showed "CODE" after losing power, it could have a different anti-theft method linked to the vehicle VIN.
Finding the Radio S/N for Honda
The initial step is locating the radio S/N.
Most people assume the code depends on the Honda model or year, but in reality, the unlock process depends on the unique radio unit's serial number.
The serial is the key used to calculate the correct unlock code.
This is actually better, because if you have bought an aftermarket radio, the VIN or other Honda-specific data wouldn't be of much use.
Depending on the radio used, you may be able to see the serial directly from the screen or by checking the label on the radio chassis.
2020 Honda Fit factory radios
The 2020 Fit was the final model year of the 3rd gen GK in North America (production ended after MY2020 in the US). The head-unit lineup was carried over unchanged from 2019. The LX retains the basic 5-inch color LCD AM/FM/CD audio - 160 watts, four speakers, hard buttons, single front USB, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, and no touchscreen or smartphone projection. The Sport, EX, and EX-L trims keep the 7-inch electrostatic Display Audio with HondaLink, 180 watts, six speakers, dual USB, Pandora, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Factory Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation was never offered on the 3rd gen US Fit - drivers with the 7-inch unit relied on smartphone projection. Both head units enforce a 5-digit Honda anti-theft code after any battery disconnect or fuse pull.
Accessing the Serial Number Through the Radio Menu
Try the following for your 2020 Honda Fit:
The 2020 Honda Fit could have Honda's Display Audio system (7" depending on trim) or a standard non-touchscreen radio. Either type support serial number display via the 1+6 button method:
- Turn ignition to ON. Let the radio to turn on. The screen shows "CODE" when locked.
- Hold down preset buttons 1 and 6 for approximately 3-5 seconds.
- The serial number displays in two halves (e.g.,
U3210+L0482).
Also: On 2020 Fit with the Display Audio touchscreen, look in Settings → System → Device Information – the serial may be displayed there without using the button combination.
Manufacturer Label Inspection
If the serial does not appear on screen, the next step is checking the radio itself.
Many Honda radios require physical access to the ID label attached to the unit.
Typical approach:
- Start by completely turning off the engine - pull the key out.
- Then remove the dashboard bezel.
- Next, loosen the mounting points and move the radio forward.
- Look for a factory sticker showing the serial number.
If none of these methods succeed on the 2020 Honda Fit:
- Turn off the vehicle.
- Pry off the center stack trim panel. The 2020 Fit's modern dashboard uses snap-fit clips.
- For Display Audio models: Remove the fasteners (Phillips) securing the display module.
- On base trims: Remove the four screws holding the radio unit.
- Slide the unit forward and find the serial on the label on the back or side.
Tip: The touchscreen unit is wider and more tightly fitted than the standard radio. Take care when extracting it.
Removing the head unit on a 2020 Honda Fit
Safety first. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and wait a few minutes for SRS (airbag) capacitors to discharge before working in the dash. Remember that the disconnect itself is what activates the radio's anti-theft lock - reach for the on-screen 1+6 method first if all you need is the serial number.
The 3rd gen Fit GK has a small factory pry notch on the edge of the audio bezel that becomes accessible once the upper dashboard storage lid is open. Slip a plastic trim tool or a tape-wrapped 3-inch putty knife into the notch and walk the bezel free; the audio unit and the climate-control panel are both attached to it, so support the assembly with one hand as the clips release. Stick to plastic panel tools - metal screwdrivers will gouge the matte dash plastics on the GK Fit, which scar visibly. Once the bezel hinges forward, unplug the wiring harnesses for the climate controls and the head unit, then back out the three to four small chassis screws evenly so the audio unit slides straight forward in its bracket. Disconnect the antenna and main power/data harnesses at the rear before lifting the unit clear. Take photos as you go - the connectors look similar but only seat correctly in their original ports.
Example: Honda Fit serial number label location
Typical Radio Serial Prefixes and Formats
Depending on the radio equipped in the 2020 Honda Fit:
U1234L5678– Classic Honda OEM formatHBM####– Used in Display Audio and nav-equipped units913A####– Some Alpine-manufactured radios
The 2020 Fit may have: base CD radio (U/L format), Display Audio 5"/7" (HBM format), or navigation unit (HBM format). All use a 5-digit unlock code.
Important Ensure you read the serial number, not the part number (which starts with 39100, 39101, or similar Honda part coding).
2020 Fit radio serial format
Honda 3rd-gen Fit head units typically show an 8-character alphanumeric serial - a mix of letters and digits with no spaces, dashes, or punctuation. On the 5-inch LX the value is often shown across two alternating screens prefixed with U (first 4 characters) and L (last 4 characters); ignore the prefix labels and copy the eight characters between them. On the 7-inch Display Audio the serial usually appears as a single 8-character string on the touchscreen. Read the value carefully and double-check the classic look-alikes: 0 versus O, 1 versus I, 5 versus S, and 8 versus B. A single mistyped character returns an incorrect code from any retrieval source.
Steps to Unlock Your 2020 Honda Fit Radio
Car radios use anti-theft codes dependent on the radio unit itself rather than the model or production year.
- Our lookup service works by matching your Honda Fit radio's serial number.
- After entering the serial into the form above, the system identifies the radio unit and generates the code that you need.
- Simply input the digits into the Fit stereo.
- Compared to Honda dealer retrieval, this method is faster and more convenient.
Code Entry Process for 2020 Fit
After generating the correct unlock code based on the S/N, you can restore normal functionality by entering it into the unit.
The code entry process depends on the head unit design, but most 2020 Fit systems follow a similar structure using preset buttons, touch controls, or rotary knobs - depending on if it's a factory or an aftermarket unit.
You will typically see SAFE displayed on screen.
Step-by-Step - Correct Entering Process
To input the code on the 2020 Honda Fit:
- Ignition ON. Radio shows "CODE" or "ENTER CODE".
- Non-touchscreen models: Use preset buttons 1-5 to select each digit, then press and hold button 6 to confirm.
- Display Audio touchscreen: An on-screen keypad may appear. Tap each digit and press "Enter" or "OK".
Lockout: Three wrong attempts trigger a 60-minute lockout. Keep ignition ON. Do not cycle the key or the timer starts over.
Entering the 5-digit code on a 2020 Fit
Turn the ignition to ON so the head unit powers up and shows CODE or a numeric keypad. Honda 3rd-gen Fit codes are always 5 digits drawn only from the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, so the entry pad effectively maps to preset buttons 1 through 6. If a code claimed for your 2020 Fit ever contains a 0, 7, 8, or 9 it is wrong. Press your five digits and confirm with the right-arrow / Enter control on the 5-inch LX, or with the on-screen Enter control on the 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen. If the radio rejects several wrong codes it locks out for roughly one hour; keep the ignition ON for the full wait, because cycling power resets the cooldown timer back to a full hour.
Fixing Common Code Entry Problems for 2020 Fit
The Display Audio platform uses the same 3-attempt lockout as earlier Honda radios. To exit lockout:
- Leave the ignition in ON or ACC — do not switch off.
- Allow the full 60-minute period. The touchscreen may go to sleep during this time — this is expected.
- After 60 minutes, the code prompt returns and another attempt is possible.
On Display Audio touchscreen models, the lockout countdown operates even when the screen is off. Simply leave the vehicle running or the ignition on ACC for the full hour.
The Display Audio era spans radios using multiple serial prefixes depending on which unit was fitted:
U####L####— base CD radio serial (10 characters, two halves).HBM####— Display Audio 5"/7" and navigation modules.913A####— certain Alpine OEM configurations.
Part numbers on the same label start with 39100 or 39101 — these are not serials. If uncertain, use the Settings → Device Information menu or the 1+6 button method to retrieve the serial directly from the unit.
On the Display Audio, a rejected code most often means the serial was taken from the wrong source. Both the button method and the settings menu can produce the correct serial — verify that the serial you submitted was read off the radio unit and not from a sticker elsewhere in the car.
After one failed entry, pause and contact support before trying again — a second wrong attempt brings you closer to the 60-minute lockout. A no-charge serial reverification is available on request.
Entry method depends on the specific radio in the Display Audio-era Fit:
- Non-touchscreen base radio: Press preset buttons 1–5 to scroll to each digit, then hold button 6 to confirm — same as older Honda platforms.
- Display Audio 5" or 7" touchscreen: An on-screen numeric keypad appears when the code prompt is active. Enter the digits and press OK or Enter on screen.
Should the touch input not work, try the physical preset buttons — some units accept both input method. Ensure the screen is fully booted before attempting entry.
If the Display Audio screen powers on but goes straight to the home screen without any "CODE" prompt, check the following:
- The radio may not be locked — certain battery changes don't trigger the lock if done quickly enough.
- On some Display Audio units, the code prompt shows only on the audio portion of the screen, not the navigation display — give it a moment after startup.
- Try the Settings → System → Device Information route; if the serial is visible there, the unit may still be functional without a code.
If none of these apply, checking the radio fuse is the next step — a failed fuse will stop the radio from powering on at all.