Mercedes-Benz GLA Grille: Fitment, Sensors & Common Damage

Confirmed: on this model, the adaptive cruise control radar sensor is positioned in the lower front bumper behind the grille mesh, not behind the central star emblem — plus an honest account of a "compatible" aftermarket grille still breaking the system.

Illustration for editorial purposes

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OEM Part Number: confirm via VIN — radiator grille (aftermarket) Esen SKV 66SKV563

Accuracy note: Covers the Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156 2014-2020) as listed in the UK aftermarket catalogues. Grilles are sold by trim and facelift, and many generations had different grilles for base, mid and top trims, with or without a radar or camera opening. Where the catalogue splits a grille into left and right or upper and lower sections, buy both halves if both are damaged. The references below are UK aftermarket catalogue listings for this generation, labelled by brand with the fitment details the catalogue gives; carmakers rarely publish the genuine number against these, so match a genuine grille against your VIN if you want a guaranteed fit.

Radiator grille (aftermarket)	Esen SKV 66SKV563 (glossy, black); Esen SKV 66SKV564 (silver)
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

Mercedes-Benz GLA Grille: Cosmetic on the Surface, Functional Underneath

Beyond its obvious styling role, the Mercedes-Benz GLA's front grille genuinely does mechanical work — directing airflow into the radiator — and on many modern cars it's also built around sensor housings for adaptive cruise control or parking assistance. Both of those functions affect which part actually fits.

Before you buy: grille design varies significantly by trim, and higher trims may integrate radar or camera sensors behind or within the grille itself. Always confirm against your VIN before ordering.

Mercedes-Benz GLA Grille: What It Does

Beyond styling, the grille on the GLA 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.

Mercedes-Benz GLA Grille: Watch: Fitting It

🎬 Watch: FRONT GRILLE GT MERCEDES GLA X156 PRELIFT 14-16

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Mercedes-Benz GLA Grille reference plate

Mercedes-Benz GLA Grille: Generations, Derivatives & Grille Finish

Standard trims	"Diamond" grille — a distinctive multi-dot pattern in chrome or gloss black, Mercedes' standard luxury-focused design
AMG Line	"Panamericana" grille — genuine vertical-slat design derived from AMG GT styling, a completely different pattern from the Diamond grille rather than just a colour change

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Confirmed: A Genuinely Specific Finding Worth Knowing — Mercedes-Benz GLA Grille

If you're trying to locate the adaptive cruise control radar sensor, this is genuinely worth knowing specifically for this model: the sensor is positioned in the lower front bumper behind the grille mesh, rather than behind the central Mercedes star emblem as it is on some other models.

A genuinely honest, real account worth knowing before fitting an aftermarket grille: an aftermarket grille specifically marketed as being compatible with this system, using the same badge and camera-look housing, has still been documented triggering a constant "radar sensor dirty" message once fitted, disabling cruise control and related safety systems simultaneously. Putting the original grille back on resolved the issue for at least one owner.

It's also genuinely worth knowing that a persistent radar fault can sometimes simply be a cable that wasn't fully reconnected after other front-end work, worth checking this specific connection before assuming a genuine sensor fault.

Mercedes-Benz GLA 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 Mercedes-Benz Grille

The same part, covered across other Mercedes-Benz models.