Can't Locate Your Unit's Serial Number? Follow The Steps Below for Dodge Charger 2016
The starting step is writing down the radio serial number.
Many people assume the code depends on the Dodge model or year, but in reality, the unlock process depends on the unique radio's serial number.
This number identifies the exact head unit installed in your Dodge Charger.
This is even better, because if you have an aftermarket radio, the VIN or other Dodge-specific data wouldn't help.
Depending on the radio version used, you can retrieve the serial directly from the display or by checking the label on the radio chassis.
Radios Offered in the 2016 Charger
The 2016 Charger carries the 2015 lineup forward unchanged. Same three Uconnect head units, same sales codes, same visual cues - only the underlying software builds are slightly newer.
- Uconnect 5.0 / RA2 - 5-inch touchscreen, standard on SE and SXT. No CD player, no NAV button, six soft keys flank the small display.
- Uconnect 8.4 / RA3 - 8.4-inch touchscreen, optional on SXT, standard on R/T-grade trims. Capacitive function row across the bottom of the screen. No Nav tile on the home screen.
- Uconnect 8.4 NAV / RA4 - 8.4-inch screen with built-in Garmin navigation. Standard on SRT 392 / Hellcat, optional everywhere else. Look for a Nav tile on the home screen and "NAV" in the SiriusXM Traffic/Travel Link splash on startup.
Quick tell: screen size first (5" vs 8.4"), then look for the Nav tile to separate RA3 from RA4. None of the 2016 head units have factory Apple CarPlay or Android Auto - those arrive in 2017 with the 4C generation.
Accessing the Serial Number Through the Radio Menu
The method for 2016 Dodge Charger is this:
The 2016 Dodge Charger features a driver-focused cockpit and is equipped with the Uconnect 8.4" (RA3) touchscreen angled toward the driver from the top of the center stack. The serial number is accessible directly on screen via Dealer Mode.
Climate Button Method:
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON.
- On the Charger's center stack, the Climate Up, Climate Down, and Front Defrost buttons sit directly below the 8.4" screen. Hold all three simultaneously for 5 seconds.
- Dealer Mode opens on the display.
- Navigate to: System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number.
Alternative: Hold Temperature Up (red) and Temperature Down (blue) simultaneously for 5 seconds to enter Engineering Mode, then follow the same menu path.
Display-Based Serial Number Retrieval
Most 2016 Charger trims left the dealer with the 8.4-inch Uconnect head unit, which supports a hidden dealer menu that can display the radio's internal serial number. Reading it on screen is much quicker than dropping the radio out of the dash.
Uconnect 8.4A (RA3) and Uconnect 8.4AN (RA4)
Place the ignition in the RUN position so the touchscreen is fully booted. Press and hold the driver's temperature UP, temperature DOWN, and front DEFROST buttons at the same time for around 7 seconds. A dealer/diagnostic menu should appear on the 8.4-inch screen.
From this menu, choose the radio-information entries (typically the first options shown). They list serial numbers, software/hardware revisions, and similar identifiers. Note the full serial down exactly as printed, including any letters at the start such as T00AM or TM9. Tap Done, or cycle the ignition, to exit the menu.
Uconnect 5.0 (RA2)
For the smaller 5-inch RA2 head unit, an equivalent on-screen serial-number readout is not consistently documented for the 2016 Charger. If the hidden menu does not surface a serial on the RA2, the chassis-label method described under the radio-removal block is the dependable fallback.
Find it by Pulling Out the Unit
If the serial does not appear on screen, the next step is checking the radio itself.
Many Dodge radios require physical access to the serial tag attached to the unit.
Typical approach:
- Start by completely shutting off the engine - pull the key out.
- Then remove the trim panel.
- Next, release the mounting points and slide the radio forward.
- Look for a printed tag showing the serial number.
If Dealer Mode is unavailable on your 2016 Dodge Charger, the radio must be removed to access the serial label. The Charger's streamlined sedan center stack has a single trim panel around both the radio and HVAC controls:
- Remove the center stack bezel – Use a plastic pry tool along the perimeter of the bezel – the panel uses friction clips and typically releases from the bottom corners first.
- Remove the 4 Torx T20 screws – Found at the corners of the radio mounting frame.
- Slide the radio forward – Ease the unit out just far enough to see the serial label on the top or driver-side edge.
The serial is on a barcode sticker: a 14-character alphanumeric code. The wiring harness can stay connected while you note it.
Locate Serial on Charger's Radio Chassis
If the on-screen method is unavailable, or the radio is stuck on the CODE prompt and you cannot reach the dealer menu, the chassis label is the most reliable source for the serial number on a 2016 Charger.
Safety preparation
Turn the ignition fully off and remove the key. Disconnect the negative terminal of the 12V battery and wait several minutes before working near the dash so any airbag-related circuits can fully discharge. Stay clear of yellow airbag harnesses while pulling trim.
Tools you should have ready
Plastic trim/panel pry tools, a driver that matches the four radio retaining screws (commonly Phillips or 7 mm), and a phone/camera to photograph the label.
Removal overview
Begin at a lower edge of the center bezel that surrounds the radio and HVAC controls and pry it gently outward. The 2016 Charger bezel is held in place by retaining clips rather than bolts. Work the tool around the perimeter to pop each clip, then ease the bezel forward and unplug any small connectors on its back. With the bezel out of the way, remove the four retaining screws now visible at the corners of the radio chassis. Slide the head unit out and unplug the wiring harnesses and antenna lead.
Where the serial label sits
The serial is on a printed label on the metal housing - typically the top or one side of the chassis. Read the long alphanumeric string next to the barcode and double-check ambiguous characters (O vs 0, I vs 1). Photograph the label as a permanent reference before refitting the unit.
Tips
Reinstallation is the reverse of removal: harnesses back on, four screws home, bezel pressed in until each clip seats, then reconnect the battery.
Example: Dodge Charger serial number label location
Common Serial Number Structures
The 2016 Dodge Charger Uconnect 8.4" radio is made by Harman or Continental. Standard serial number prefixes:
T00AM– Harman VP2 Uconnect 8.4" (primary format)T00BE– Continental Uconnect 8.4" variantTM9– Older Harman production units
Radio model designations for the 2016 Charger: RA3 (standard 8.4"), VP2 (8.4" with premium audio). Example serial: T00AM394958584 (14 characters).
Reminder Avoid mixing up the part number (P05064... or 68...) with the serial number. Only the serial is used for code generation.
Standard Serial Number Patterns on This Radio
The 2016 Charger could leave the factory with several different head units, each made by a different supplier, so the serial-number style depends on which radio is in your car. The patterns below are the ones most often reported for this generation.
Continental-supplied Uconnect 8.4 (RA3 / RA4)
Frequently shown with a T00AM prefix and a numeric tail, e.g. something resembling T00AM1234567. The prefix sits inline with the rest of the serial on the chassis label.
Panasonic-supplied Uconnect units
Often start with TM9 followed by additional digits or letters. This format has been widely associated with Panasonic-supplied Mopar radios of the Uconnect 8.4 era.
Uconnect 5.0 (RA2) base radio
Also carries a printed serial on its chassis label; however, the prefix can vary by supplier batch, so the safest approach is to copy the full string from the label rather than assume a fixed format.
If the alphanumeric you read does not match any of these examples, recheck that you copied the serial line and not the part number. The serial is normally the longest string on the label and is the one tied to the barcode.
Unlock Your 2016 Dodge Charger Radio in Minutes - How It Works
Car radios use security codes tied to the radio unit itself rather than the model or production year.
- The system uses the Charger's radio serial to retrieve the unlock code.
- When you input the serial into the generator, the system identifies the radio unit and generates the code that you need.
- Simply input the digits into the Charger stereo.
- Compared to Dodge dealer retrieval, this method is faster and more convenient.
Inputting the Security Code
After receiving 2016 Dodge Charger radio code from the serial, you're ready to reactivate the radio.
Some drivers get stuck at this stage because input process can look different across radio versions, but it's usually easy.
When the radio shows dashed lines, it means the unit is waiting for the correct numbers.
Entering Process
To enter the unlock code on the 2016 Dodge Charger's Uconnect 8.4":
- The screen shows "ENTER CODE" or ---- when locked after a battery event.
- Tap the on-screen touchscreen keypad to enter each digit of the 4-digit code.
- After the 4th digit, the radio restores instantly – no additional step is required.
Lockout: 3 incorrect attempts activate a 60-minute lockout. Keep the ignition ON for the entire lockout period. Turning off the ignition resets the timer.
Step-by-Step Code Input Guide
Once you have the correct anti-theft code for your 2016 Charger radio, the entry itself is fast - but the radio will lock you out for half an hour if you keep entering wrong codes, so verify before you start.
Limited Attempt Warning
You only get three attempts. Three wrong codes in a row place the radio in a WAIT state and the screen reads WAIT. To clear it, the radio must remain powered with the ignition in RUN for a continuous 30 minutes. Switching the key off does not shortcut the timer.
Entering the code
Turn the ignition to RUN or ACC so the radio boots and shows the CODE / Anti-Theft prompt. On the 8.4-inch Uconnect (RA3/RA4), tap each digit on the touchscreen number pad. On the 5-inch Uconnect 5.0 (RA2) base radio, enter the digits using the preset (1-6) buttons in sequence. Confirm with the OK/Enter on-screen control or the equivalent hardware button. When the code is accepted, the radio returns to the normal home screen and audio resumes.
If it does not unlock
Stop after the second wrong attempt and recheck the serial you used to obtain the code. Make sure no leading letters or trailing digits were dropped. If WAIT appears, leave the radio powered for the full 30 minutes before trying again.
Understanding Unlock Issues with Your Charger
If you've entered three wrong codes, the Uconnect 8.4" triggers a 60-minute lockout and displays "WAIT" or "LOCKED" on screen. To exit the lockout:
- Keep the ignition ON — do not switch off the ignition.
- Let the timer run for the full 60 minutes.
- Switching off the ignition mid-countdown adds time rather than saving it.
Once the lockout clears, try again carefully.
If no code prompt after a battery event, here is what to check:
- Make sure the radio is fully powered and allow a few seconds to boot.
- Check the radio fuse in the fuse box — a bad fuse can prevent the radio from showing any display at all.
- Some Dodge vehicles require a brief button press on the touchscreen to bring up the code entry prompt.
Should the display remain off, a blown fuse is the most likely cause — consult the manual for the radio fuse location.
The Uconnect 8.4" (RA3/VP2) uses a touchscreen number pad exclusively for code entry — there are no physical preset buttons involved in this process. When you see the code entry screen:
- Touch each digit on the on-screen keypad.
- The radio unlocks automatically once all four digits are entered — no "Enter" or "OK" button is needed.
Should the screen not register taps, restart the radio by turning the ignition off and on and wait 30 seconds for the system to restart.
The serial number label on Uconnect 8.4" radios lists multiple identifiers, and the wrong one is easy to grab. Here is how to identify the correct one:
- Serial number — exactly 14 characters, prefixed by
T00AM,T00BE, orTM9. This is the one you need. - Part number — begins with
P05064...or68.... This is not the serial.
The easiest approach on 2016-era Dodge Charger units is through Dealer Mode — it shows only the serial with no risk of mixing up the numbers.
The most common reason for a rejected code is submitting a code tied to the wrong serial number. On Uconnect 8.4" radios, the label shows both the serial number (14 characters, starting with T00AM, T00BE, or TM9) and a part number (begins with P or 68) — only the serial is used for code generation.
If your code was rejected, double-check the serial carefully and reach out for a free re-check if anything looks off.
What Caused the Radio to Lock?
Charger owners experience radio lockouts most commonly because of:
- Battery work during performance mods — Charger enthusiasts who disconnect the battery for accessories, audio upgrades, or ECU work trigger the lock every time.
- Seasonal storage and battery drain — Chargers parked for months drain enough to lock the radio.
- Routine battery replacement — standard battery service activates the code screen.
- Used purchase without history — buying a used Charger without the prior owner's code means the radio is locked from the start.
Your Charger's unlock code is linked to the RA3 serial number and never changes.