Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Net sales Revenue, Net Cost of sales Cost of Goods and Services Sold Gross profit Gross Profit Gross profit Selling and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Restructuring and impairments, net Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions Operating income Operating Income (Loss) Operating income Other expense, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other expense, net Interest expense, net Interest Expense Loss before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Loss before income taxes Income tax provision (benefit) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net loss Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss attributable to Exide Technologies Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net loss attributable to Exide Technologies Loss per share Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic and diluted Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Weighted average shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic and diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Inventories, net Inventory, Net Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Total current assets Assets, Current, Total Total current assets Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Other assets: Other Assets [Abstract] Goodwill And Intangibles Goodwill and intangibles, net Goodwill and intangibles, net Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Other noncurrent assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total other assets Other Assets Total other assets Total assets Assets, Total Total assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Short-term borrowings Short-term Debt Current maturities of long-term debt Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued expenses Accrued Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Total current liabilities Long-term debt Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Noncurrent retirement obligations Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Other noncurrent liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities, Total Total liabilities STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 77,915 and 77,498 shares issued and outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total stockholders' equity attributable to Exide Technologies Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total Total stockholders' equity attributable to Exide Technologies Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Total stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity, Total Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities-- Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Unrealized Gain Loss On Warrants Unrealized gain on warrants Unrealized gain on warrants Unrealized gain on warrants Net loss on asset sales / impairments Losses (Gains) on Sales of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for doubtful accounts Provision for Doubtful Accounts Non-cash stock compensation Share-based Compensation Amortization of deferred financing costs Amortization of Financing Costs Currency Remeasurement Gain Loss Currency remeasurement loss Currency remeasurement loss Currency remeasurement loss Changes in assets and liabilities -- Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Receivables Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Receivables Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other current assets Payables Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Other noncurrent liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Liabilities Other, net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other, net Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Capital expenditures Proceeds from asset sales Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Increase in short-term borrowings Proceeds from Short-term Debt Decrease In Borrowings Under Senior Secured Credit Facility Decrease in borrowings under Senior Secured Credit Facility Decrease in borrowings under Senior Secured Credit Facility Decrease in borrowings under Senior Secured Credit Facility Decrease in other debt Proceeds from (Repayments of) Other Debt Payment To Acquire Non Controlling Interest Other Acquisition of noncontrolling interests/other Acquisition of noncontrolling interests/other Acquisition of noncontrolling interests/other Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Net Decrease In Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net Decrease In Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash paid during the period -- Cash Paid During Period Abstract Cash paid during the period -- Interest Interest Paid Income taxes (net of refunds) Income Taxes Paid, Net BASIS OF PRESENTATION Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVES Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Accounting For Derivatives [Abstract] Accounting For Derivatives [Abstract] GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Abstract] INVENTORIES Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories [Abstract] Inventories [Abstract] Other Non Current Assets Disclosure [Text Block] OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS Other Noncurrent Assets [Abstract] Other Noncurrent Assets [Abstract] DEBT Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt [Abstract] Debt [Abstract] INTEREST EXPENSE, NET Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure [Text Block] Interest Expense, Net [Abstract] Interest Expense, Net [Abstract] INTEREST EXPENSE, NET OTHER EXPENSE, NET Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block] Other Expense , Net [Abstract] Other Expense , Net [Abstract] OTHER EXPENSE, NET EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Employee Benefits [Abstract] Employee Benefits [Abstract] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENTS, NET Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Restructuring And Impairments, Net [Abstract] Restructuring And Impairments, Net [Abstract] LOSS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] SEGMENT INFORMATION Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Information [Abstract] Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Income Statement [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]