How to Find the Serial Number on Your 2017 Dodge Challenger Radio?
The useful thing to know is that factory radios use a unique serial number to identify each unitindividually.
Your security system matches the code directly to this serial.
Unlike car-specific data like VIN or registration information, it is not determined by the model or production year, so you'll be able to get it even if you have a radio that you installed afterwards.
Depending on the maker and radio installed in your Dodge Challenger, the retrieval method is different.
Here are the best ways to find it.
Radios Offered in the 2017 Challenger
2017 is the transition year. Mopar replaced the Harman-built Uconnect 3C 8.4 with the Panasonic-built Uconnect 4C 8.4, which adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base 5-inch Uconnect 5.0 (RA2) carries over. Most 2017 Challengers shipped with the new 4C; very early build-year cars can still be found with the carryover 3C.
- RA2 - Uconnect 5.0 (5-inch, no nav): standard on base SXT. Same 5-inch screen and twin-knob bezel as 2015-2016. No CarPlay, no nav, no NAV button. Common entry-level factory radio.
- UAS - Uconnect 4C 8.4 (no nav): standard on R/T trims and many Scat Pack builds. 8.4-inch touchscreen with restyled flatter graphics and a redesigned home screen (rounded app tiles). Apple CarPlay and Android Auto icons appear on the home screen when a phone is connected. No NAV hard button is shown as active - the Nav tile is missing or greyed out. Most common 8.4-inch radio on 2017 Challengers.
- UAQ - Uconnect 4C NAV 8.4 (with nav): standard on SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat, optional on R/T Plus/Scat Pack. Same 8.4-inch Panasonic bezel as UAS, but adds a working factory navigation map plus HD Radio and SiriusXM Traffic. CarPlay and Android Auto are also included.
- RA3 / RA4 carryover - Uconnect 8.4 / 8.4N (3C): appears on a small number of very early 2017 cars. Visually identical 8.4-inch bezel but the home screen uses the older Uconnect 3C theme with squarer tiles and no CarPlay/Android Auto icon. Becoming uncommon.
Quick visual check: 5-inch screen = RA2. 8.4-inch screen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support but no map = UAS. 8.4-inch screen with CarPlay/AA AND a working factory map = UAQ. 8.4-inch screen with no CarPlay icon at all = early carryover RA3/RA4.
Display-Based Serial Number Retrieval
Try the following for your 2017 Dodge Challenger:
The 2017 Dodge Challenger's retro-styled 2-door muscle coupe interior features the Uconnect 8.4" (RA3) touchscreen prominently in the cockpit. The serial number is retrievable directly on screen via Dealer Mode.
Climate Button Method:
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON.
- On the Challenger's wide center console, find the Climate Up, Climate Down, and Front Defrost buttons beneath the 8.4" display. Hold all three simultaneously for 5 seconds.
- Dealer Mode opens on the display.
- Select: System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number.
Alternative: Hold Temperature Up (red) and Temperature Down (blue) together for 5 seconds to access Engineering Mode, then navigate the same menu.
Before Removing the Radio, Try This Screen Method
The 2017 Challenger transitions from the Harman-built Uconnect 3C (RA3/RA4) to the Panasonic-built Uconnect 4C 8.4 with optional Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both 8.4-inch generations expose a hidden dealer/diagnostic menu that prints the head-unit serial number on screen, so the radio normally does not have to come out of the dash. The base 5-inch Uconnect (RA2) does not have a documented on-screen serial routine.
Uconnect 8.4 / 8.4N (RA3 / RA4 carryover and 4C)
Switch the ignition to RUN/ACC and wait for the Uconnect screen to finish booting. Press and hold the driver-side temperature UP, the driver-side temperature DOWN, and the front DEFROST buttons together for roughly 7-10 seconds until the dealer/diagnostic screen opens. Browse to the radio or system information section to view the serial number printed on screen, and photograph the display so the digits can be transcribed without errors.
Taking Out the Radio Unit to View the S/N on the Tag
If the serial number cannot be accessed via display, use the pull-out method.
Most Dodge Challenger original radios include a tag with the serial number printed on the casing.
Step-by-Step:
- Power down the vehicle.
- Lift the trim surrounding the radio.
- Release the clips.
- Move the unit forward to access the label.
The serial number is usually located near the printed code.
Should Dealer Mode be blocked on your 2017 Challenger, physical removal of the RA3 radio is necessary. The Challenger's 2-door muscle car interior has a distinctive trim layout:
- Remove the center stack bezel – The Challenger's trim panel covers the 8.4" screen and HVAC controls. Work a plastic pry tool around the edges – the panel typically releases from the bottom corners first.
- Unscrew the 4 Torx T20 bolts – They hold the radio mounting frame to the dash structure.
- Ease the radio forward – Slide the unit out far enough to see the serial label on the top or side of the unit.
The 14-character serial is on a barcode sticker. Wiring don't need to be unplugged.
Releasing the Unit to Access the S/N on the Tag
If the screen-based shortcut is not available - for instance on the base Uconnect 5.0 (RA2) - the printed chassis label is the next reliable source for the serial number on a 2017 Challenger.
Safety first. Turn the ignition off, remove the key, disconnect the negative battery terminal, and wait several minutes before touching wiring. Avoid the yellow airbag/SRS connectors entirely and use plastic trim tools so nothing shorts or breaks.
Tools you will need. Plastic trim removal kit, Phillips screwdriver, small Torx bit set, flashlight.
Removal overview. Pop the centre dash bezel free with a plastic pry tool, working slowly around the panel so the hidden retaining clips release without cracking the trim. Once the bezel is loose, unplug the HVAC/climate control and hazard-switch connectors before setting it aside on a clean cloth. Remove the four Phillips screws (two upper, two lower) that hold the radio cage to the dash support bracket, then slide the unit straight rearward and disconnect the antenna lead and the multi-pin power/data harness on the back.
Where the serial sits. The serial number is printed on a barcode/sticker label on the top, side, or rear of the radio chassis, next to the part number and supplier markings (Harman on RA3/RA4 carryover units, Panasonic on the new 4C).
Tips. Photograph the label up close and double-check ambiguous characters such as 0/O and 1/I before transcribing the serial.
Example: Dodge Challenger serial number label location
Serial Number Format Guide for 2017 Dodge Challenger
Year Dodge Challenger Uconnect 8.4" (RA3) radios use these common serial formats:
T00AM– Harman VP2 Uconnect 8.4" (common prefix)T00BE– Continental-manufactured variantTM9– Earlier Harman units
The Challenger's radio is designated RA3 (or VP2 with premium audio). Serial: 14 characters, e.g., T00AM394958584.
Note Do not mix up the serial (T00AM...) with the part number (P05064... or 68...) on the Challenger's radio label. The serial alone is needed to calculate the unlock code.
Typical Serial Number Examples for 2017 Challenger
The factory radios fitted to the 2017 Challenger use the standard Mopar serial style, but the prefix depends on which Uconnect tier the car shipped with and which supplier built the head unit (Harman or Panasonic).
Uconnect 8.4 (RA3 / 4C) and Uconnect 8.4N (RA4 / 4C with Nav)
The serial is typically a 14-character alphanumeric string printed on the chassis label. It commonly begins with T - frequent prefixes include T00AM, TM9, and TQ1 - or with A2C on Continental-built variants. Panasonic-built 4C units may use a different supplier prefix, so always treat the printed sticker on the unit itself as the authoritative reference.
Uconnect 5.0 (RA2)
The base Uconnect 5.0 typically carries a Mopar/Harman-style serial on the chassis sticker; the label printed on the unit itself is the reference. Copy the serial exactly as printed and avoid guessing unclear characters.
Inputting the Security Code
Once you have the serial number and received the unlock code, the next step is entering it into your radio.
Dodge factory radios display a ENTER CODE message when ready for input.
The process is straightforward, but button layouts and confirmation methods may change depending on the radio version installed in your Challenger.
Step-by-Step - Correct Entering Process
To unlock the Challenger's radio Uconnect 8.4":
- With ignition ON, the screen shows "ENTER CODE" or ----.
- Tap the on-screen touchscreen keypad to enter your 4-digit code. The Challenger's large 8.4" screen makes the digits easy to press.
- The radio auto-unlocks after the 4th digit — nothing else needed.
Lockout Warning: 3 wrong entries cause a 60-minute lockout. Keep ignition ON for the entire hour. Turning the Challenger off adds to the wait.
In-depth Entering Instructions for Challenger 2017
Once the unlock code has been retrieved for a 2017 Challenger radio, it can be entered straight at the head unit - no scan tool or dealer visit required.
Limited attempts. Mopar/Uconnect head units only accept a small number of incorrect tries (commonly three) before going into a WAIT/LOCK state, so confirm every digit before pressing it.
Entering the code. Place the ignition in RUN/ACC so the radio powers up but the engine stays off. Wait for the display to show CODE, Enter Anti-Theft Code, or a similar prompt. On the 8.4-inch Uconnect (RA3/RA4 carryover or the new Panasonic 4C), key the digits using the on-screen number pad; on the base Uconnect 5.0 (RA2), key the digits on the smaller touchscreen number pad. Confirm the entry with the on-screen OK/Enter button.
If a wrong code was entered. If WAIT appears after incorrect attempts, leave the radio powered with the ignition in RUN for the documented cool-down period (around 30 minutes of continuous run-state) before trying the correct code again.
Understanding the 2017 Dodge Challenger Radio Code Retrieval Process
- Skip long troubleshooting discussions or service visits - you can find the code online with the radio serial number.
- Start by finding your radio's serial. The best place to search is on the unit itself, and sometimes it can be visible on the Challenger's display.
- Enter it into the generator above, and our software will calculate the correct 2017 Challenger unlock code.
- After getting it, input it using Challenger's radio controls to release the blockade successfully.
- The entire process takes less than a minute for most users and requires minimal effort.
Challenger 2017 Common Radio Problems
After 3 wrong attempts on the Challenger's Uconnect, a 60-minute lockout activates and the screen shows "WAIT":
- Leave the key in the ON position — engine does not need to run but ignition must stay ON.
- Wait for the full 60 minutes.
- Cycling the ignition restarts the 60-minute wait.
Once the lockout clears, re-enter the code carefully.
Code rejection on the Challenger's Uconnect 8.4" usually means the wrong serial was used. The RA3 label shows both: the serial (T00AM, T00BE, or TM9, 14 characters) and the part number (P... or 68...) — only the serial is used.
Confirm the serial via Dealer Mode and contact support for a free re-check if needed.
The Challenger's RA3 radio label carries two distinct numbers that are easy to mix up:
- Serial number — 14 characters, starting with
T00AM,T00BE, orTM9. This is what you need. - Part number — starts with
P05064or68. Do not submit this.
The on-screen Dealer Mode is the cleanest way: System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number. No tools required.
The 2017 Challenger's Uconnect 8.4" uses touchscreen-only input for code entry — none of the Challenger's factory radio buttons are used. Once the locked display appears:
- Tap each digit on the virtual keypad on the 8.4" screen.
- The Challenger's Uconnect unlocks after the 4th digit — no separate submit is required.
If taps don't register, cycle the ignition and wait 30 seconds.
When no code prompt appears after a battery event:
- Turn the ignition to ON (not ACC) and wait a moment for the Uconnect system to initialize.
- Inspect the fuses for the Challenger's radio fuse — a blown fuse stops the radio.
- Try pressing the screen once to trigger the code entry prompt if it hasn't appeared.
Should nothing show, a blown fuse is the most likely culprit.
What Caused the Radio to Lock?
Challenger owners face this more than some other models because:
- Seasonal storage and battery drain — Many Challengers sit over winter, and months without use drains the battery enough to lock the radio.
- Battery replacement — standard battery service triggers the lock on any model year.
- Performance battery work — Owners who disconnect the battery for mods will encounter this.
- Used purchase — buying a used Challenger without the prior owner's code means the code is needed right away.
The unlock code is permanently linked to the serial number and remains valid indefinitely.