Where to Find the Serial Number on your Durango
The important fact to know is that factory radios use a unique S/N to identify each unitindividually.
The security system matches the code directly to this serial.
Different from vehicle-specific data like VIN or registration information, it is not determined by the model or production year, so you'll be able to generate it even if you have a radio that you installed afterwards.
Depending on the manufacturer and radio installed in your Dodge Durango, the access method varies.
These are the most reliable ways to find it.
Which Head Unit Is in Your 2018 Durango?
2018 is the year the Durango moved off the Harman platform and onto the Panasonic-built Uconnect 4C; the old RA2/RA3/RA4 codes were retired and replaced by UAS and UAQ. Both 4C variants are easy to spot by their CarPlay and Android Auto support.
- Uconnect 4C (sales code UAS) - 8.4-inch Panasonic touchscreen without built-in navigation; recognisable by the same large 8.4-inch bezel as the older RA3 but with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto tiles on the home menu and no NAV tile. Common mid-trim option.
- Uconnect 4C NAV (sales code UAQ) - 8.4-inch Panasonic touchscreen with built-in navigation; identical bezel to the UAS, but the home menu shows a NAV tile alongside the CarPlay/Android Auto tiles. Standard on Citadel and the most common nav-equipped 2018 Durango head unit.
Note: the 5-inch Uconnect 5.0 (RA2) is no longer documented as a 2018 Durango factory option; the 4C UAS is the entry-level head unit. Verify against your build sheet if your 2018 Durango appears to have the smaller 5-inch screen.
Access the Serial on the Radio Display
The method for 2018 Dodge Durango is this:
The 2018 Dodge Durango is a three-row full-size SUV and comes with the Uconnect 8.4" (RA3) touchscreen elevated in the SUV's tall center stack. The serial number can be found directly on screen via Dealer Mode.
Climate Button Method:
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON.
- In the Durango's upright center stack, find the Climate Up, Climate Down, and Front Defrost buttons on the climate panel beneath the display. Press and hold all three at the same time for 5 seconds.
- Dealer Mode appears on screen.
- Go to: System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number.
Alternative: Hold Temperature Up (red) and Temperature Down (blue) simultaneously for 5 seconds to open Engineering Mode, then navigate as above.
Screen-Based Serial Lookup Method
2018 Durango models with the 8.4-inch Uconnect 4C screen retain the hidden dealer/diagnostic menu that prints the head-unit serial number directly on the touchscreen, so the radio does not need to come out of the dash. The base Uconnect 5.0 (RA2) does not have a documented on-screen serial method.
Uconnect 8.4 4C (UAS) and Uconnect 8.4 4C NAV (UAQ)
- Place the ignition in RUN/ACC and wait for the Uconnect screen to fully load.
- Press and hold the driver-side temperature UP, the driver-side temperature DOWN, and the front DEFROST buttons together.
- Keep all three buttons held for roughly 7-10 seconds until the dealer/diagnostic interface opens.
- Open the radio or system info section to view the serial number printed on screen.
- Capture a photo of the screen so the characters can be copied across without errors.
Check the Serial by Pulling Out the Radio Unit
If the serial does not appear on display, the next step is checking the radio itself.
Many Dodge radios require physical access to the ID label attached to the unit.
Usual approach:
- Start by completely turning off the engine - pull the key out.
- Then remove the trim panel.
- Next, unscrew the mounting points and pull the radio forward.
- Look for a barcode label showing the serial number.
If Dealer Mode is inaccessible on your 2018 Durango, the RA3 radio needs to be removed to access the serial label. The Durango's tall SUV center stack makes the bezel easy to approach:
- Remove the center stack trim – The Durango's trim panel frames the 8.4" screen and climate controls. Using a plastic pry tool, work from the lower edges to release the friction-clipped panel.
- Remove the 4 Torx T20 screws – These are at the corners of the radio frame.
- Slide the unit out – Pull the radio forward just enough to read the serial label on the side or top of the unit.
The serial is a 14-character code on a barcode label. Wiring can stay connected while you record the serial.
Taking Out the Radio to View the S/N on the Tag
If the screen-based shortcut is unavailable - for example on the base Uconnect 5.0 - the printed serial label can still be reached by carefully extracting the head unit from the centre stack of the 2018 Durango.
- Safety first: turn the ignition off, remove the key, disconnect the negative battery terminal, and wait several minutes; never disturb the yellow airbag/SRS connectors and use plastic trim tools to keep clips and metal contacts intact.
- Tools you will need: plastic trim removal kit, 7 mm socket, Phillips screwdriver, small Torx bit set, flashlight.
- Pry the centre dash bezel out with a plastic trim tool, starting at the bottom edge and working up the sides; the Durango bezel is held by hidden clip retainers, not visible screws.
- Unplug the hazard switch and the HVAC/control connectors at the rear of the bezel before laying it on a clean cloth.
- Remove the four 7 mm bolts (two upper, two lower) that secure the radio cage to the support bracket.
- Slide the radio straight rearward and disconnect the antenna and the multi-pin power/data harness on the back of the unit.
- The serial number lives on a printed barcode/sticker label on the top or side of the radio chassis, alongside the part number and supplier markings.
- Photograph the label and double-check easily confused characters such as 0/O and 1/I before submitting the serial.
Example: Dodge Durango serial number label location
S/N Patterns and Prefixes
The 2018 Dodge Durango's Uconnect 8.4" (RA3) is manufactured by Harman or Continental. Common serial prefixes for this SUV:
T00AM– Harman VP2 Uconnect (most common format)T00BE– Continental variantTM9– Older Harman production units
Radio designations on the Durango: RA3 (standard), VP2 (with premium audio). Serial: 14 characters.
Important The Durango's radio label also contains a part number (P05064... or 68...). The serial alone is used to generate the unlock code.
How Serial Numbers Usually Look on These Durango Radios
The factory head units fitted to the 2018 Durango follow the standard Mopar/Continental serial pattern, with the prefix varying by supplier and Uconnect tier. The Durango received the new 4C generation of Uconnect 8.4 hardware (UAS / UAQ) for the 2018 model year.
Uconnect 8.4 4C (UAS) and Uconnect 8.4 4C NAV (UAQ)
- Typically printed as an alphanumeric string on the chassis label - around 14 characters on most units.
- Commonly begins with
T- frequent prefixes includeT00AM,TM9, andTQ1- or withA2Con Continental-supplied variants. - Often runs as continuous letters and digits with no spaces or dashes on the printed sticker.
Uconnect 5.0 (RA2)
- Usually carries a Mopar/Harman-style serial on a chassis sticker; the label printed on the unit itself is the authoritative source.
- Always copy the serial exactly as printed and avoid guessing unclear characters.
Code Entry Process for 2018 Durango
Now that you've found the radio serial and received the unlock code, the final part is entering it into your radio.
Dodge OEM units display a CODE prompt when ready for input.
The process is quick, but button layouts and confirmation methods may change depending on the radio version installed in your Durango.
Step-by-Step - The Correct Way to Enter It
Code entry on the 2018 Durango's Uconnect 8.4":
- With ignition ON, the screen shows "ENTER CODE".
- Use the touchscreen to enter each digit of your 4-digit code on the Durango's 8.4" display.
- The radio confirms automatically after the 4th digit — no additional step is required.
Lockout: 3 incorrect attempts = 60-minute lockout. Leave the Durango's ignition ON. Turning it off restarts the wait.
The Correct Way to Enter It
Once the unlock code has been retrieved, the 2018 Durango radio can be unlocked directly at the head unit - no scan tool or dealership visit required.
- Limited attempts: Mopar/Uconnect units only accept three incorrect tries before going into a WAIT state, so confirm every digit before pressing it.
- 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 4C Uconnect units (UAS/UAQ), key the digits using the on-screen number pad; on the base Uconnect 5.0 (RA2), press the numbered preset buttons in sequence.
- Confirm with the on-screen OK/Enter button, or with the tune/menu knob on the RA2.
- If
WAITappears after three incorrect attempts, leave the ignition in RUN with the radio powered for a continuous 30 minutes before trying again with the correct code.
Unlock Your 2018 Dodge Durango Radio in Minutes - How It Works
Car radios use anti-theft codes dependent on the radio unit itself rather than the model or production year.
- The generator identifies your Dodge radio via serial-based verification.
- After entering the serial into the form above, the system identifies the radio unit and generates the code that you need.
- You can then enter the code directly into your Dodge radio.
- The online process is quicker and more accessible than visiting the Dodge dealer.
Why Did the Radio Lock and Ask for a Code?
Durango owners face this primarily because of:
- Towing-related electrical work — those installing tow packages or disconnect the battery for towing accessories will encounter this.
- Battery replacement — the Durango's higher electrical demand can wear batteries faster, making replacements more frequent, and every replacement triggers the code screen.
- Long periods unused — SUVs used seasonally can drain enough to lock the radio.
- Used purchase — second-hand purchase without the prior owner's code requires the code immediately.
The unlock code is permanently assigned to the RA3 serial number and always remains valid.
Understanding Unlock Issues with Your Durango
Three wrong code entries on the Durango's Uconnect cause a 60-minute lockout, showing "WAIT" on screen:
- Leave the ignition ON in the Durango — the Durango doesn't need to be running but ignition must stay in ON.
- Let the timer count down for the full 60 minutes.
- Cycling the ignition restarts the lockout.
Once the 60 minutes are up, re-enter the correct code.
In the 2018 Durango, all code entry is via the 8.4" touchscreen — no physical buttons are involved. Once "ENTER CODE" is shown:
- Press each number on the on-screen keypad.
- The radio auto-confirms after the final number — no extra step is required.
Should the display not register taps, cycle the ignition and wait 30 seconds.
A rejected code on the Durango's Uconnect 8.4" almost always means a serial number error. The label shows both the serial (14 chars, starts with T00AM, T00BE, or TM9) and the part number (P... or 68...) — only the serial generates the code.
Re-verify via Dealer Mode and reach out for a free re-check if needed.
The RA3 label in the Durango shows multiple identifiers:
- Serial number — 14 alphanumeric characters, starting with
T00AM,T00BE, orTM9. Use this. - Part number — begins with
P05064or68. Not needed.
On the Durango, Dealer Mode is the most reliable way: System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number. No tools required.
When no "ENTER CODE" appears after a battery event:
- Ensure the ignition is fully in ON (not ACC) and allow the system a moment to boot.
- Inspect the radio fuse in the Durango under the hood or under the dash. A blown fuse prevents any radio power.
- A single screen tap may activate the code prompt on some Durango units.
Should nothing appear, a blown fuse is the most probable cause.