Where is the Dodge Charger battery?

The manual's jump starting section says the battery is stored under an access cover in the hatch, and remote battery posts are located under the hood on the right side for jump starting. The remote posts are viewed by standing on the right side of the vehicle and looking over the fender.

The positive post may be covered with a protective cap; lift up on the cap to reach it. The manual adds: do not jump off fuses. Only jump directly off the remote positive post, which has a positive (+) symbol on or around it. The remote negative (-) post is an exposed metallic, unpainted post directly behind the underhood fuse box.

The owner's manual sections used for this guide do not list a replacement battery size or rating, so check the battery on your vehicle or ask our service department.

From the 2026 Dodge Charger owner's manual (Jump Starting: Preparations For Jump Start; Jump Starting Procedure), read November 8, 2026.

How to jump start a Dodge Charger

Do not attempt jump starting if the battery is frozen; the manual says it could rupture or explode and cause personal injury. Do not use a portable battery booster pack or any other booster source with a system voltage greater than 12 volts, or damage to the battery, starter motor, alternator or electrical system may occur.

The manual also warns: do not let the vehicles touch each other, because this could establish a ground connection; avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever the hood is raised; remove metal jewelry such as rings, watch bands and bracelets; and keep open flames or sparks away from the battery, because batteries contain sulfuric acid and generate hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive.

To prepare:

1. If necessary, manually unlock the driver's door using the emergency key.
2. Use the emergency hood release to reach the remote battery posts.
3. Apply the parking brake, shift into PARK and turn the vehicle OFF.
4. Turn off the heater, radio and all electrical accessories.
5. If you are using another vehicle, park it within the jumper cables' reach, apply its parking brake and make sure it is OFF.

To connect the cables: connect the positive (+) cable to the remote positive (+) post of the Charger, then to the positive (+) post of the booster battery; connect the negative (-) cable to the negative (-) post of the booster battery, then to the remote negative (-) post behind the underhood fuse box. The manual warns not to connect the jumper cable to the negative (-) post of the discharged battery, because the resulting spark could cause the battery to explode. Start the engine in the booster vehicle, let it idle a few minutes, then start the Charger. Do not run the booster vehicle's engine above 2,000 RPM; the manual says it provides no charging benefit, wastes fuel and can damage the booster vehicle's engine. Once the vehicle is started, remove the cables in the reverse order and reinstall the protective cap on the remote positive post. If you need frequent jump starts, the manual says to have the battery and charging system inspected at an authorized dealer.

From the 2026 Dodge Charger owner's manual (Preparations For Jump Start; Jump Starting Procedure), read November 8, 2026.

Notes for Charger Daytona models

The manual explains that Daytona models need 12 volt battery power to turn on the high voltage battery, and the high voltage battery is used to charge the 12 volt battery. If the 12 volt battery is discharged, the vehicle can be jump started.

If the high voltage battery is also discharged, it must be recharged to a minimum operating state of charge before the vehicle can be started. If the vehicle can be connected to a Level 1 or Level 2 charger where it is parked, it still needs a jump start to begin charging; once charging has begun, the jumper cables can be removed from the jump posts.

The manual says the lithium-ion high voltage battery is located under the middle section of the vehicle, below and in front of the second row seating, and is designed to be maintenance free. The high voltage battery service disconnect is behind the trim panel by the 12 volt battery, and only a qualified service technician should access it.

From the 2026 Dodge Charger owner's manual (Jump Starting, Daytona Models; Charging, High Voltage Battery), read November 8, 2026.

Battery warning lights and Battery Saver messages

The manual describes a Low Voltage Battery Charge Warning Light that comes on when the low voltage battery is not charging properly. If it stays on, there may be a malfunction with the low voltage charging system; contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible, because it indicates a possible problem with the electrical system or a related component.

A separate Battery Charge Low Warning Light comes on with a message when the high voltage battery charge level is low; some systems may be disabled to save battery, and the manual says to navigate to the nearest approved charging station.

The manual says the vehicle has an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) that monitors the electrical system. If the system detects a charging system failure or deteriorating battery conditions, it reduces power to or turns off non-essential electrical loads to extend driving time and distance, and shows a Battery Saver message in the instrument cluster. That message means the battery has a low state of charge and is losing charge faster than the charging system can sustain. On the Charger the message reads Battery Saver On or Battery Saver Mode.

Possible causes the manual lists include: a battery that was recently replaced and not fully charged, a battery discharged by an electrical load left on while parked, or a battery used for a long time with the engine not running to power the radio, lights, chargers or 12 volt portable appliances.

From the 2026 Dodge Charger owner's manual (Warning Lights; Battery Saver On/Battery Saver Mode Message), read November 8, 2026.

Charger battery care

The manual says your Charger has a maintenance-free 12 volt battery: you will never have to add water, and periodic maintenance is not required. Its maintenance schedules still include battery checks: for both Daytona and gasoline models, check the 12V battery terminals, cables and connections once a month or before a long trip; for gasoline models, also inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals as required at every oil change interval.

Battery fluid is a corrosive acid that can burn or even blind you, and battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead, so wash your hands after handling them. When replacing battery cables, the positive cable goes on the positive post and the negative cable on the negative post, and the clamps should be tight and free of corrosion. If a fast charger is used with the battery in the vehicle, disconnect both battery cables first, and do not use a fast charger to provide starting voltage.

Accessories plugged into the power outlets draw power from the battery even when not in use. If they stay plugged in long enough without the vehicle operating, the battery can discharge enough to degrade battery life or prevent the vehicle from starting.

From the 2026 Dodge Charger owner's manual (Maintenance-Free 12 Volt Battery; Scheduled Maintenance, Daytona and Gasoline Models; Jump Starting), read November 8, 2026.

Charger battery service at Elgin CDJR

Battery tests are among the services listed on our service center pages. Our service department is open Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Elgin CDJR is at 1500 W. Lake St. in Streamwood. Get directions.