(Loss) Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net (loss) attributable to Exide Technologies	$ (87,580)	$ (15,443)	$ (13,878)	$ (106,498)	$ (2,696)	$ 68,215	$ (3,588)	$ (5,192)	$ (223,399)	$ 56,739	$ 26,443
Basic weighted average shares outstanding									77,270	77,667	76,678
Effect of dilutive securities:
Floating Rate Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes									0	3,697	3,697
Adjustment to basic weighted average shares outstanding									0	4,414	4,631
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding									77,270	82,081	81,309
Basic earnings per share	$ (1.49)	$ (0.20)	$ 0.18	$ (1.38)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.88	$ (0.05)	$ (0.07)	$ (2.89)	$ 0.73	$ 0.34
Diluted earnings per share	$ (1.49)	$ (0.20)	$ 0.18	$ (1.38)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.84	$ (0.05)	$ (0.07)	$ (2.89)	$ 0.69	$ 0.33
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share
Total shares excluded									8,071
Shares associated with convertible debt (assumed conversion)
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share
Total shares excluded									3,697
Employee stock options
Effect of dilutive securities:
Incremental common shares									0	292	619
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share
Total shares excluded									2,872	1,800	1,500
Restricted stock awards (non-vested)
Effect of dilutive securities:
Incremental common shares									0	425	315
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share
Total shares excluded									1,502