Audi A4 Grille: Fitment, Sensors & Common Damage
A genuinely money-saving finding: the ACC radar sensor has an internal heater unit that can fail separately from the sensor itself, resolved by replacing just this part for under £250 — plus a clarification that a misalignment fault code doesn't always mean a new sensor is needed.
Illustration for editorial purposes
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OEM Part Number: confirm via VIN — radiator grille (aftermarket) Van Wezel 0307516 / Diederichs 1018341
| Radiator grille (aftermarket) | Van Wezel 0307516; Diederichs 1018341 (black, glossy) |
|---|---|
| Genuine (OE) numbers quoted | None quoted in the catalogue listings — the genuine grille varies by trim level, facelift and sensor options, so order it against your VIN |
Audi A4 Grille: Cosmetic on the Surface, Functional Underneath
Treating the Audi A4's grille as a purely cosmetic part is a common mistake — it also manages radiator airflow, and on many newer models incorporates or surrounds the sensors for adaptive cruise or parking assistance. That functional role is exactly why the correct part number matters more than it might seem.
Audi A4 Grille: What It Does
Beyond styling, the grille on the A4 directs airflow to the radiator and, on trims equipped with adaptive cruise control, may house or sit directly in front of the radar sensor used for that system. A grille that looks compatible but lacks the correct sensor cutout can interfere with these systems even if it fits physically.
Audi A4 Grille: Watch: Fitting It
Audi A4 Grille: Generations, Derivatives & Grille Finish
| Standard trims | Single-frame grille with chrome-trimmed slats, not honeycomb |
|---|---|
| S4 | Genuine honeycomb mesh design distinct from standard trim, typically with a chrome or gloss black frame depending on model year — S-Line bumper trim is required for the honeycomb style to fit correctly |
| RS4 | Same honeycomb mesh style as S4 but with a more aggressive black frame — the two share styling DNA but RS4's grille aperture and lower mesh section are genuinely different from S4's |
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A Genuinely Money-Saving, Real Finding Worth Knowing — Audi A4 Grille
If the adaptive cruise control has become unavailable, this is genuinely worth knowing before assuming the whole radar sensor needs replacing: the sensor contains an internal heater unit, and one documented case saw this specific heater fail on its own, causing the ACC to stop working, while the main sensor itself remained fine. Replacing just the heater unit, which simply unclips from the grille, resolved the fault entirely for just under £250 including both the part and labour — genuinely worth asking a specialist whether just this component can be replaced rather than the entire sensor assembly.
It's also genuinely worth knowing a reassuring, real account: a professional cleaning of the radar sensor alone, without any parts replaced, has been documented resolving cascading failures across multiple driving assistance systems for a modest cost, remaining stable for over six months afterward — worth trying a thorough clean and recalibration first before assuming a genuine hardware fault.
Audi A4 Grille: Common Damage, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice
These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Grille Guide for common damage types, confirming trim-specific fitment, how difficult this job is to DIY, and the ADAS calibration risk with sensor-equipped grilles.
More Audi Grille
The same part, covered across other Audi models.