HondaLink is Honda's connected-vehicle service that adds remote features to your car for a monthly or annual fee
HondaLink is a subscription service offered by Honda that connects your vehicle to your smartphone and gives you remote access to certain car functions. The service lets you lock and unlock your doors, start your engine, check fuel level and tire pressure, and locate your vehicle on a map — all from your phone. It also includes emergency roadside information and the ability to set up maintenance reminders.
The service is available on most Honda models from 2015 onward, though the exact features vary by model year and trim level. You pay a monthly subscription fee to keep the service active. If you stop paying, the remote features stop working, though your car itself continues to operate normally.
Key Takeaways
- HondaLink costs between $8 and $15 per month depending on which plan you choose, with annual payment options available at a discount.
- The service requires a compatible Honda vehicle, an active cellular connection in your car, and a smartphone with the HondaLink app installed.
- Remote features include door lock and unlock, engine start, fuel and tire pressure monitoring, vehicle location, and emergency roadside information.
- Your first year of HondaLink is often included free when you purchase a new Honda, but the subscription renews automatically after that period ends.
- You can cancel HondaLink at any time through the app or by contacting Honda customer service, and you will not be charged for months you do not use.
How HondaLink Plans and Pricing Work
Honda offers HondaLink in two main tiers: a basic plan and a premium plan. The basic plan typically costs around $8 per month and includes remote lock and unlock, engine start, vehicle location, and emergency roadside information. The premium plan runs approximately $15 per month and adds features like fuel level monitoring, tire pressure alerts, maintenance reminders, and in some cases, vehicle diagnostics.
Both plans can be paid monthly or annually. Annual payment usually costs less per month than paying month-to-month — for example, an annual subscription might cost $90 to $120 per year instead of $96 to $180 if you paid monthly. Many new Honda owners receive a complimentary subscription for the first year, after which they must pay to continue. The free trial period does not automatically convert to a paid plan; you must choose to renew it.
Pricing can vary slightly by region and by Honda's current promotions. Some dealerships offer extended trial periods or discounted first-year rates as part of the purchase incentive. Check your purchase paperwork or contact your Honda dealership to confirm what you received with your vehicle.
What Devices and Connections You Need
To use HondaLink, you need four things: a compatible Honda vehicle, an active cellular connection built into the car, a smartphone (iOS or Android), and the HondaLink mobile app. Most Hondas from 2015 onward have the cellular hardware built in, but older vehicles or certain trim levels may not. You can check your vehicle's compatibility on Honda's website or by asking your dealership.
The cellular connection in your car is separate from your phone's data plan. Honda includes this connection as part of the HondaLink subscription — you do not pay extra for the car's cellular service. However, the car must have cellular signal to communicate with Honda's servers. In areas with poor coverage, some features may not work reliably.
You must read and install the HondaLink app on your smartphone and log in with a Honda account. The app communicates with your vehicle through Honda's cloud servers, not directly via Bluetooth. This means you can lock your car or start the engine even when you are far away, as long as both your phone and your car have internet connectivity.
Remote Features and What Each One Does
The lock and unlock feature lets you remotely find or open your car doors from your phone. This is useful if you are away from your vehicle and want to let someone in, or if you forgot to lock the doors after parking. The engine start feature allows you to start your car remotely, which can be helpful in cold weather to warm up the engine before you get in, or to run the air conditioning on a hot day.
Vehicle location shows your car's position on a map within the app. This helps you find your car in a large parking lot or remember where you parked. Fuel level and tire pressure monitoring display real-time data about your vehicle's condition, alerting you if pressure drops or fuel runs low. Emergency roadside information connects you to a dispatcher who can send a tow truck or other help to your location.
Maintenance reminders notify you when your vehicle is due for oil changes, tire rotations, or other scheduled service. Some premium plans include vehicle diagnostics, which show error codes or warning lights in the app so you can understand what your car is reporting before you visit a mechanic.
How to Set Up HondaLink When You First Get Your Car
When you purchase a new Honda, the dealership typically activates HondaLink for you during the handover process. They will give you instructions for downloading the app and creating or linking your Honda account. If they do not, you can set it up yourself by downloading the HondaLink app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
After installing the app, you will create a Honda account or sign in if you already have one. The app will prompt you to pair with your vehicle — this usually happens automatically if your phone is in the car and the car is running. Once paired, you should see your vehicle listed in the app and be able to access its features.
If you are having trouble pairing or the app is not recognizing your car, restart both your phone and the vehicle's infotainment system. Make sure your car's cellular connection is active (you can check this through the car's settings menu). If problems persist, contact Honda customer service or visit your dealership for help.
What Happens When Your Free Trial Ends
Most new Honda purchases include one year of HondaLink at no cost. As your free year approaches its end, Honda will send you a reminder via email or through the app. You will have the option to pay for a subscription to continue using remote features, or to let the service expire.
If you do not renew before the free period ends, the remote features will stop working. Your car will still run normally and all standard functions will remain available — only the connected features through the app will be unavailable. You can renew your subscription at any time after it lapses by opening the app and selecting a plan.
Some owners choose not to renew because they do not use the remote features regularly or prefer not to pay the monthly fee. This is a valid choice and does not affect your vehicle's warranty or performance. If you change your mind later, you can always restart your subscription.
Canceling or Pausing Your Subscription
You can cancel HondaLink at any time through the mobile app or by calling Honda customer service. To cancel through the app, open your account settings, find the subscription section, and select the option to cancel or downgrade. You will be asked to confirm the cancellation, and it typically takes effect when ready.
When you cancel, you will not be charged for any remaining time in your billing cycle. If you paid for an annual plan and cancel midway through, Honda does not refund the unused portion — you straightforward stop having access to remote features. Some owners cancel during months they do not need the service and restart it later, though this means paying separate subscription fees for each period.
If you are having issues with the service or believe you were charged in error, contact Honda customer service with your account details and billing information. They can review your account history and address billing disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does HondaLink work if my phone does not have cellular service?
Yes. HondaLink uses your phone's internet connection, whether that is cellular data or Wi-Fi. As long as your phone can reach the internet and your car has cellular signal, the remote features will work. If your phone is on airplane mode or has no data connection, the app cannot communicate with your vehicle.
Can I use HondaLink on multiple phones?
Yes. You can read the HondaLink app on multiple phones and log in with the same Honda account. All phones logged into that account will have access to the same vehicle and its remote features. This is useful for families or households where multiple people need to control the car.
What if I sell my Honda or trade it in?
When you sell or trade your vehicle, you should cancel your HondaLink subscription to avoid being charged after you no longer own the car. The new owner can set up their own HondaLink account and subscription if they wish. Contact Honda customer service to remove your vehicle from your account.
Does HondaLink drain my car's battery?
HondaLink uses a small amount of power to maintain the cellular connection, but it is designed to draw minimal current when the car is off. In normal circumstances, it should not significantly drain your battery. If your car sits unused for weeks, the battery may lose charge over time, but this is not unique to HondaLink.
Can I use HondaLink if I have an older Honda?
HondaLink is available on most Hondas from 2015 onward, but not all older models have the required cellular hardware. Check Honda's website or contact your dealership with your vehicle identification number (VIN) to confirm whether your specific car is compatible. If your car does not have the built-in cellular module, HondaLink cannot be added.