How to Obtain Your Car Stereo Code From the Manufacturer for Free

By Editorial Team

Updated July 21, 2017

If your car battery has died, you've been in an accident, or you purchased a used vehicle where the stereo was flashing "Code" you are not alone. Every day hundreds of people search the Internet for clues on how to acquire the code for their installed car stereo for free. These codes are a safety measure to discourage car stereo theft and, unfortunately for you, the car stereo is inoperable until the correct code is entered into the stereo unit.

Remove the faceplate around your stereo. Slip a flat object under the edge and gently pry it up. A flat-head screwdriver works well. There will be clips holding the faceplate in place, so feel for them. You may need to move your faceplate up or down to slide it out of position.

Find and remove any screws holding the stereo in place.

Slide the stereo component out far enough to see the label on top of the stereo. Write down the model and serial numbers of your car stereo component.

Locate your VIN number at the base of the front window, driver side. If you can't read your VIN off the window, you will have it on your proof of insurance and title as well. Write it down.

Locate your car manufacturer's toll-free Customer Service number and call them. Click on the link in the Resource section of this article and find your car manufacturer's toll-free number.

Call the number and let customer service know you need your stereo code and have the vehicle's VIN number, as well as the model and serial numbers off the stereo. They will provide you with the code. If you are unsure how to input the code, be sure to ask for support at this time.

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