electrical

Antenna

for 2021 Honda Accord 1.5L I4 Turbo · FWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Easy

Time

30 min

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the roof-mounted shark fin antenna assembly on the 2018-2024 Honda Accord.

Warnings

⚠Work carefully around the headliner to avoid tearing or staining the fabric material.

ℹ️The antenna contains integrated amplifiers for AM/FM and satellite radio. Handle with care to avoid damage to internal components.

⚠Ensure the vehicle is parked in a covered area or weather conditions are dry to prevent water intrusion during the repair.

Tools required

Plastic trim removal toolEssential

Ratchet with extensionEssential

10mm socketEssential

Trim panel clip tool set

Torque wrenchEssential

Clean cloth or towel

Parts

Shark fin antenna assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
Antenna base gasket × 1 — Often included with antenna assembly
Headliner trim clips (if damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and turn off the ignition.
Wait at least 3 minutes after turning off ignition to allow electrical systems to enter standby mode.
Clean the exterior antenna area to prevent dirt from falling into the headliner cavity.
Protect the headliner area beneath the antenna with a clean cloth to catch any debris.

Procedure

1
Remove dome light lens and overhead console trim
Using the plastic trim removal tool, carefully pry down the front dome light lens. Remove the overhead console trim panel by releasing the clips at the front and rear edges. Disconnect the electrical connectors for the dome lights and sunroof switch if equipped. Set the trim panel aside in a safe location.
2
Lower the headliner at antenna location
Gently pull down the headliner material near the antenna mounting location to expose the antenna base mounting hardware. You may need to release one or two headliner retention clips in the area. Work carefully to avoid tearing the headliner fabric or breaking clips.
3
Disconnect antenna coaxial cables
Locate the two coaxial cable connectors attached to the base of the antenna assembly (one for AM/FM, one for satellite radio/GPS). Press the release tabs and carefully pull each connector straight down to disconnect. Note the orientation and routing of cables for reinstallation.
4
Remove antenna mounting bolts from interior
Using a 10mm socket with extension, remove the three mounting bolts securing the antenna base to the roof panel from inside the vehicle. Support the antenna from the exterior if possible to prevent it from falling. Keep the mounting bolts in a safe location.
Torque spec
Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
5
Remove antenna assembly from roof
From the exterior of the vehicle, carefully lift the antenna assembly straight up and away from the roof. Remove the rubber gasket from the roof opening. Inspect the gasket for damage, cracking, or compression set. Clean the roof mounting surface with a clean cloth to remove any dirt or old gasket material.
6
Install new antenna gasket and assembly
Place the new or cleaned gasket onto the roof opening, ensuring proper alignment with the mounting holes. Position the new antenna assembly onto the gasket, aligning the mounting studs with the holes in the roof panel. Ensure the antenna is oriented correctly with the forward edge toward the front of the vehicle.
7
Install and torque mounting bolts
From inside the vehicle, thread the three mounting bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten the bolts in a star pattern to ensure even pressure on the gasket. Using a torque wrench, tighten all three mounting bolts to 26.0 Nm (19 lb-ft) in sequence to ensure proper gasket compression and weatherproof seal.
Torque spec
Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
8
Reconnect coaxial cables
Connect both coaxial cable connectors to the antenna base, ensuring they click firmly into place. Route the cables as they were originally positioned to avoid pinching when the headliner is reinstalled. Gently tug on each connector to verify secure attachment.
9
Reinstall headliner and overhead console trim
Press the headliner back into position and reinstall any retention clips that were removed. Reconnect the electrical connectors for the dome lights and sunroof switch. Align the overhead console trim panel and press firmly to engage all retaining clips. Reinstall the dome light lens.

Reassembly

Verify all headliner clips are fully seated and the headliner sits flush against the roof.
Ensure the overhead console trim panel is secure with no gaps or loose areas.
Check that all interior lights function properly after reconnecting.

Verification

Turn the ignition to ON position and verify AM/FM radio reception on multiple stations.
If equipped, verify satellite radio reception and GPS navigation function properly.
Inspect the antenna mounting area from exterior to ensure the antenna sits flush with no gaps.
Perform a water test using a garden hose on low pressure around the antenna base to check for leaks into the headliner.
Verify the antenna is secure by gently attempting to move it by hand - there should be no movement or rattling.

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