Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,971,698	$ 3,084,650	$ 2,887,516
Cost of sales	2,564,403	2,599,822	2,346,189
Gross profit	407,295	484,828	541,327
Selling and administrative expenses	389,161	395,075	403,268
Restructuring and impairments, net	71,495	10,878	42,286
Operating (loss) income	(53,361)	78,875	95,773
Other expense, net	4,180	6,320	2,220
Interest expense, net	65,635	71,804	62,410
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	0	10,827
(Loss) income before income taxes	(123,176)	751	20,316
Income tax provision (benefit)	99,915	(55,203)	(6,496)
Net (loss) income	(223,091)	55,954	26,812
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	308	(785)	369
Exide Technologies	$ (223,399)	$ 56,739	$ 26,443
(Loss) earnings per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (2.89)	$ 0.73	$ 0.34
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (2.89)	$ 0.69	$ 0.33
Weighted average shares
Basic (in shares)	77,270	77,667	76,678
Diluted (in shares)	77,270	82,081	81,309