Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 759,666		$ 804,879		$ 2,139,710		$ 2,210,009
Cost of sales	649,642		684,809		1,856,913		1,892,025
Gross profit	110,024		120,070		282,797		317,984
Selling and administrative expenses	94,668		99,568		275,532		288,968
Restructuring and impairments, net	3,329	[1]	15,776	[1]	14,653	[1]	16,400	[1]
Operating income (loss)	12,027		4,726		(7,388)		12,616
Other income, net	(3,648)		(2,268)		(5,990)		(1,971)
Interest expense, net	31,810		18,366		83,694		49,692
Loss before reorganization items, net	(16,135)		(11,372)		(85,092)		(35,105)
Reorganization items, net	16,998		267		75,943		1,068
Loss before reorganization items, net	(33,133)		(11,639)		(161,035)		(36,173)
Income tax provision	1,344		3,644		4,628		99,343
Net loss	(34,477)		(15,283)		(165,663)		(135,516)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	215		160		336		300
Net loss attributable to Exide Technologies	$ (34,692)		$ (15,443)		$ (165,999)		$ (135,816)
Loss per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.44)		$ (0.20)		$ (2.13)		$ (1.76)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.44)		$ (0.20)		$ (2.13)		$ (1.76)
Weighted average shares
Basic (in shares)	78,265		77,344		78,033		77,234
Diluted (in shares)	78,265		77,344		78,033		77,234

[1] See Note 13 for detail by segment.