What Caused the Radio to Lock?
Final-generation Charger owners encounter radio lockouts most often because of:
- Battery replacement — routine battery service triggers the lock on any Uconnect-equipped vehicle including the Charger.
- Seasonal storage and battery drain — muscle sedans left parked over winter deplete the charge and lock the radio.
- Performance electrical work — owners working on the electrical system will encounter this.
- Used purchase — buying a used Charger without the prior code means the code is needed right away.
The unlock code is permanently linked to the serial number and remains valid indefinitely.
Understanding the Radio Serial Number and How to Locate It on 2021 Charger
The first step is to locate the radio's serial number.
Based on the head unit type fitted in your 2021 Charger, the serial can usually be accessed either through the screen menu or by checking the label on the radio itself.
Follow the steps below to identify your serial quickly.
Display-Based Serial Number Retrieval
These are the steps you should follow for 2021 Dodge Charger:
The 2021 Dodge Charger's final-generation Uconnect 4C (RA4) 8.4" touchscreen is mounted in the performance sedan's center stack. The serial number is accessible directly on screen via Dealer Mode:
- Turn ignition to ACC or ON.
- Press the bottom-left and bottom-right corners of the physical screen bezel (the plastic frame, not the glass) simultaneously for 5 seconds.
- Dealer Mode opens on the display.
- Select: System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number.
Note Some 2021 Charger units may have Dealer Mode restricted after a software update. If the bezel press doesn't respond, physical radio removal is required.
Taking Out the Radio Unit to View the S/N on the Tag
If the serial number cannot be accessed via display, use the removal method.
Most Dodge Charger original radios include a tag with the serial number printed on the casing.
Basic process:
- Remove key from ignition.
- Carefully remove surrounding panel pieces.
- Release clips holding the radio.
- Pull forward to inspect the label.
If Dealer Mode is blocked on your 2021 Charger, the RA4 radio must be removed to access the serial label. The Charger's driver-focused center stack makes the procedure manageable:
- Remove the center stack bezel – The Charger's bezel covers the 8.4" display. Work a plastic trim tool around the edges to release the friction-clipped panel.
- Remove the 4 Torx T20 screws – Holding the radio frame to the dash structure.
- Pull the unit forward – Ease the radio forward to read the serial label on the side surface.
The 14-character serial is on a barcode sticker. Wiring can remain connected.
Example: Dodge Charger serial number label location
Typical Radio Serial Prefixes and Formats
Year Dodge Charger Uconnect 4C (RA4) serial number formats:
T00AM– Primary Harman prefix for Uconnect 4C unitsT00BE– Continental-sourced variant
Radio designation: RA4 (Uconnect 4C, 8.4"). Serial: 14 characters (e.g., T00AM5028A1842). The final-generation Charger ran this platform through its last model year in 2024.
Note: The serial number is different from the part number (begins with P or 68). The serial alone generates the unlock code.
Step-by-Step Dodge Charger 2021 Radio Code Retrieval Guide
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.
- Once the serial number is submitted, the system identifies the radio family and retrieves the corresponding code.
- You can then enter the code directly into your Dodge radio.
- The online process is quicker and more accessible than visiting the Dodge dealer.
Radio Code Input Guide
Now that you've found the S/N and retrieved the unlock code, the final part is entering it into your radio.
Dodge factory radios display a ENTER CODE message when ready for input.
The process is usually simple, but button layouts and confirmation methods may change depending on the radio version installed in your Charger.
In-depth Entering Instructions for Charger 2021
Entering the unlock code on the 2021 Charger's Uconnect 4C:
- With ignition ON, the screen displays "ENTER CODE" with an on-screen keypad.
- Enter each digit of your 4-digit code on the Charger's 8.4" touchscreen.
- The radio confirms automatically after the 4th digit — no separate confirm.
Lockout Warning: 3 wrong attempts = 60-minute lockout. Leave the Charger's ignition ON. Turning it off restarts the countdown.
Troubleshooting Common Radio Problems - Charger 2021
The RA4 label in the 2021 Charger shows two distinct identifiers:
- Serial number — 14 characters, starting with
T00AMorT00BE. Submit this. - Part number — starts with
P05or68. Do not use this.
Dealer Mode via bezel corner press is most reliable way: System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number. No removal required.
Three wrong entries on the Charger's Uconnect 4C cause a 60-minute lockout, displaying "WAIT":
- Leave the ignition in the ON position — doesn't need to run but key cannot be cycled.
- Allow the entire 60 minutes.
- Cycling the ignition resets the timer.
Once clear, re-enter with the correct code.
If the Charger's screen doesn't show after a battery event:
- Confirm the ignition is fully ON (not ACC) and allow 15–20 seconds to initialize.
- Check the radio fuse — fuse failure stops the radio.
- On some 2021 Charger units, a OTA update may suppress the code prompt — tap the screen once to wake the system.
Should nothing appear, power issue is the most likely cause.
A rejected code on the Charger's RA4 typically points to a serial number error. The label has the serial (14 characters, starts with T00AM or T00BE) and the part number (P... or 68...) — only the serial generates a code.
Re-check the serial on screen or the label and reach out for a free re-check if needed.
The Charger's Uconnect 4C uses touchscreen-only input for code entry — no physical preset buttons are used. When the locked screen appears:
- Tap each digit on the on-screen number pad.
- The Charger's Uconnect unlocks after the final digit — no extra step needed.
If taps don't register, turn the ignition off and on, then allow the system to restart.