How to Upgrade Your 2016–2022 Honda Civic from the 5" to the 7" Touchscreen Radio (Complete Guide)

How to Upgrade Your 2016–2022 Honda Civic from the 5" to the 7" Touchscreen Radio (Complete Guide)

Published by 3 Pedal Solutions | Est. read time: 8 min

If you own a 2016–2022 Honda Civic LX or Sport, you already know the frustration. You glance over at an EX or Touring trim and see a crisp 7-inch touchscreen with full CarPlay support — and then look back at your own small 5-inch display. The good news? Honda engineered both radios to fit the same dash opening. The upgrade is completely doable at home, and you don't need to be an electrician to pull it off.

This guide covers everything you need: which parts to buy, where to find them, how the wiring works, and how to avoid the most common mistakes people make on this swap.

Who This Upgrade Is For

This guide is written for owners of 2016–2022 Honda Civic (10th generation) in the following trims:

  • LX (Sedan, Coupe, Hatchback)
  • Sport (Sedan, Coupe, Hatchback)
  • Some EX and EX-T vehicles originally equipped with the 5-inch unit

If your Civic currently has the small 5-inch non-touch display, this guide is for you.

Why Do This Upgrade?

The OEM 7-inch Honda touchscreen gives you:

  • Wireless or wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto (depending on head unit version)
  • Full touchscreen interface — no more physical buttons
  • Backup camera display — retained from your existing camera
  • Built-in GPS navigation
  • A factory, OEM appearance — it looks like it came from the factory that way

And unlike installing a third-party Android head unit, this keeps your dash looking completely stock.

Complete Parts List

Here's everything you need before you start:

1. OEM Honda 7-Inch Head Unit

Look for part numbers in the 39101-TBA-Axx family. There are a few variations:

  • Some have physical volume/tune buttons on the side
  • Some are fully touch with no physical buttons
  • Both work — it's a matter of personal preference

Where to buy: eBay is the best source. Search "39101-TBA" and you'll find plenty of used units, typically ranging from $100–$300 depending on condition. Make sure the unit you buy has a built-in amplifier — units without one will produce no audio. Avoid any head unit with the large external amplifier connector on the back.

2. AM/FM Tuner Module

Part number: 39800-TBA-A21 (or A11 — both work)

This small module plugs into the head unit and gives you AM/FM and HD radio. Without it, you'll have no over-the-air radio. Also commonly found on eBay.

3. Plug-and-Play Wiring Harness

This is the piece that makes the whole install possible without cutting a single wire. The 3 Pedal Solutions wiring harness was purpose-built for exactly this upgrade — it bridges the gap between your Civic's existing LX/Sport wiring and the 7-inch head unit connectors.

Shop the 3 Pedal Solutions Wiring Harness → (replace with your product URL)

The kit includes:

  • Main wiring harness
  • AM/FM Tuner to Antenna Cable
  • AM/FM Tuner to Headunit Cable
  • GPS Antenna
  • Reverse Camera Wire

Without a proper harness, you'd be looking at wiring diagrams, crimping connectors, and hours of troubleshooting. This kit eliminates all of that.

Tools You'll Need

  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • Plastic trim pry tool (optional but helpful — prevents scratching)
  • 10mm socket or ratchet
  • About 2–3 hours for a first-time install

No soldering iron. No wire strippers. No electrical experience required.

Step-by-Step Installation Overview

📄 For full detailed instructions with photos, download the installation PDF here 📹 Prefer video? Watch the full install on YouTube by Evolve Garage

Here's a high-level walkthrough of the process:

Step 1 – Gather and Verify Your Parts

Before pulling anything apart, confirm you have all parts in hand: head unit, AM/FM tuner, wiring harness kit. Power on the head unit if possible to verify it works before installation.

Step 2 – Disconnect the Battery

Before working with any vehicle electronics, disconnect the negative terminal on your battery. This prevents accidental shorts and protects your car's electrical system.

Step 3 – Remove the Center Console Trim

Using a plastic pry tool, carefully remove the trim surround around the radio. The 10th gen Civic trim panel pops off with gentle pressure — no screws on the outer trim piece. Work around the edges slowly to avoid cracking the panel.

Step 4 – Remove the Existing 5-Inch Head Unit

With the trim removed, you'll see the screws holding the head unit bracket in place. Remove these (typically 10mm), slide the unit forward, and unplug the connectors from the back.

Step 5 – Connect the 3 Pedal Solutions Harness

This is the heart of the install. The harness plugs into your car's existing connectors on one end, and into the new 7-inch head unit on the other. Every connector is keyed — they only go in one way, so there's no guessing. Follow the included instruction PDF for connector-by-connector guidance.

Also connect:

  • The AM/FM tuner using the included cables
  • The GPS antenna — route this up toward the windshield for best signal
  • The reverse camera wire — connects to the reverse trigger wire on the driver's side kick panel

Step 6 – Test Before Reassembly

Reconnect the battery and power on the head unit before putting everything back together. Verify:

  • ✅ Screen powers on
  • ✅ Radio works
  • ✅ CarPlay connects
  • ✅ Backup camera activates when in reverse
  • ✅ Steering wheel controls respond

Step 7 – Reinstall and Button Up

Once everything checks out, reinstall the head unit into the bracket, reattach the bracket screws, and snap the trim panel back into place.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Buying a head unit without a built-in amplifier This is the #1 mistake. If the head unit doesn't have its own amplifier, you'll get a working screen with zero audio. Always verify before purchasing.

Not testing before reassembly Always do a full function test with the panel off. It's much easier to troubleshoot a loose connector before the trim is clipped back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the install take? Most first-timers complete the install in 2–3 hours. If you've done trim removal on a car before, you can likely do it in under 2 hours.

Will this void my warranty? The installation is non-destructive and fully reversible. However, warranty questions are best directed to your dealership.

Can I use any 7-inch Honda head unit? Any 10th gen Civic 7-inch head unit from the 39101-TBA-Axx family will work. Units from other Honda models (CR-V, Accord) use different connector layouts and are not compatible.

Does the backup camera still work after the upgrade? Yes — as long as you connect the reverse camera wire included in the harness kit.

Is the upgrade reversible? Completely. The harness sits between your car's wiring and the new head unit. Unplug the harness, reinstall your original radio, and your car is back to factory stock.

Ready to Get Started?

The 3 Pedal Solutions wiring harness is the only plug-and-play kit built specifically for the 10th gen Civic OEM 5" to 7" upgrade. No cutting, no soldering, no guesswork.

Shop the Wiring Harness – $134.99 → https://3pedalsolutions.com/products/2016-civic-7-inch-radio-upgrade-plug-and-play-wiring-harness

Questions about your specific car or trim? Contact us and we'll help you figure out if this upgrade is right for your Civic.

Tags: Honda Civic radio upgrade, 2016 Civic touchscreen upgrade, 10th gen Civic head unit swap, Honda Civic LX radio upgrade, plug and play wiring harness, 5 inch to 7 inch Civic radio, DIY Honda Civic upgrade

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