A Ford Focus radio asks for its security code after the head unit loses its permanent live feed — a flat battery, a battery change, a jump start or the radio being unplugged. The code is held against the serial number of that head unit, not against the registration or VIN. Fitted units: Ford 4500 RDS, 6000CD, Sony DAB, SYNC 1/2. Ignition on, radio powered. Once you have the serial, enter it in the radio code finder on this page.
Radio codes belong to the head unit serial number, not the vehicle registration or VIN.
A flat battery, battery replacement or radio removal is what triggers the code prompt.
Covers Ford Focus 1998 to present (Mk1 to Mk4).
Bob's never displays a guessed or generated code — if a working code can't be retrieved you get a full refund.
1998 to present (Mk1 to Mk4). Ford 4500 RDS, 6000CD, Sony DAB, SYNC 1/2
How to find the serial number:
Ignition on, radio powered.
Hold presets 1 and 6 together until the display changes.
Note the serial that follows the unit type.
On Mk1 cars, expect to remove the radio and read the label instead.
How to key the code in:
Set each digit with presets 1 to 4.
Hold preset 5 to confirm.
On Sony units, the seek/OK button confirms instead.
Worth knowing:
Mk1 (1998–2004): 4500 RDS or 5000C units. These rarely display a serial, so the casing label is normally the route.
Mk2 (2004–2011): 6000CD is standard. Hold buttons 1 and 6 for the serial, usually starting with V or M.
Mk3 (2011–2018): Sony CD/DAB units and SYNC systems. The 1 and 6 hold works on the non-touchscreen units.
The Focus centre console trim is clipped, not screwed — ease it forward evenly to avoid snapping the tabs before using the radio keys.
Why won't my Mk1 Focus radio show a serial? The 4500 RDS and 5000C units predate the on-screen serial function. The number is on the label on the top of the casing.
My Focus radio says WAIT It is in a timed lockout. Keep the ignition on so the timer runs down — turning it off restarts the clock.
Does a Focus with SYNC need a code? SYNC 2 and SYNC 3 touchscreens do not use the classic four-digit audio code.