2016 Mercedes GLA Key Replacement

The 2016–2020 GLA uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Mercedes-Benz GLA key guide.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: FBS4 (DAS4)
Programming: Dealer-only (we'll tell you before you spend anything)
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

X156 FBS4 per Mercedes' bulletin (model 156 from November 2014 production) — added/replacement keys are effectively dealer-only. Base cars keep the insert-and-twist SmartKey ignition; KEYLESS-GO push-button start was optional, so pushToStart reflects the standard setup.

What kind of key does a 2016 GLA use, and what does that mean for you?

The 2016 GLA is a model 156 (X156) car, and the model 156 moved to the FBS4 immobilizer system (also written DAS4) from November 2014 production. Its key is a smart-proximity fob with a transponder in the FBS4 family. That chip data comes from Mercedes' own bulletin and is cross-checked against NHTSA and hardware-supplier sources, so we treat it as verified.

Here is the part that surprises owners. A smart-proximity fob does not automatically mean push-button start. On a base 2016 GLA, the ignition is the older insert-and-twist SmartKey style: you slide the fob into the dash slot and turn it. KEYLESS-GO push-button start was an optional package. So your car may or may not have it, and we would rather check than assume.

Every one of these fobs also hides a mechanical backup key. It opens the driver's door if the fob battery is dead or the car will not unlock normally. It does not replace the electronic key for starting the car.

Key type: smart-proximity fob with FBS4 (DAS4) transponder
Standard ignition: insert-and-twist SmartKey; push-button start only if the optional package was fitted
Mechanical backup key included inside the fob

Can a spare be made, or are all keys lost?

Good news first: on this setup, you do not need an original key in hand to get a new one. An all-keys-lost situation is possible to resolve. If every fob is gone, the car is not stuck forever.

Now the honest part. Programming on this car is dealer-only. Added and replacement keys are effectively locked to Mercedes' own VIN-coded ordering, and that means a multi-day wait for the key to arrive. We are not going to tell you a van can show up and cut and program a new GLA fob in your driveway, because that is not how this system works.

What we can do is help you avoid wasted time and money. We confirm what you actually have, work out whether the problem is really a lost key at all, and point you down the right path. If the car is locked and you are stranded, we can talk through getting you back to your car and your next step. Call (213) 577-1366 and describe what happened.

What problems look like a lost key but are not?

Before anyone orders a new key, it is worth ruling out the cheaper-to-fix causes. These are the situations that come up most on the 2016 GLA:

Dead fob battery: the car reports "key not detected" even though the fob is right there. This is the most common cause and the lighter-cost fix.
Water-damaged fob: a fob that went through the wash or sat in a wet pocket can stop responding.
Keyless antenna or start-button faults: a car-side problem can mimic a bad key, so replacing the key will not help.
Lost or damaged fobs: these do need a VIN-coded dealer order, and you should expect a multi-day wait.

Try the mechanical backup key to get in and confirm the car itself is fine.
Replace the fob battery and see if the "key not detected" message clears.
If it does not clear, check whether a second fob behaves the same way. If the spare works, the first fob is the problem; if neither works, suspect the car.
Only then move to a replacement key order.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the cost of replacing a GLA key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because honest pricing on this car depends on a handful of specifics. These are the things that move the total:

Whether you have a working fob left. A spare is usually the more economical route than an all-keys-lost order.
Whether the real fault is a battery, a damaged fob, or an antenna issue, since a simple diagnosis can save you from buying a key you do not need.
The dealer-only, VIN-coded order itself, which sets the base for any new key.
Whether the car has to be moved to the dealer, which matters if no key is left to start or drive it.
Where you are and what time you call, since mobile service adds travel and after-hours work.

What we confirm by VIN, and why call Wilshire Lock & Key

Two things we do not guess at. First, whether your particular GLA has the optional KEYLESS-GO push-button start. The data reflects the standard setup, so we confirm by VIN or in person. Second, any detail of a specific key order, such as the exact part, which is tied to your VIN and not to the model year alone.

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans covering 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. You reach one company, not a dispatch middleman, and David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work. Our phone is answered 24 hours a day, every day.

One tip for any locksmith you call: California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask for it. For more on this vehicle, see our Mercedes-Benz GLA key page, the broader Mercedes-Benz key service overview, or our full car key services. You can also contact us directly.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA have push-button start?

Not as standard. Base cars use the insert-and-twist SmartKey ignition, and KEYLESS-GO push-button start was optional. We confirm which one your car has by VIN or in person.

Can you make a 2016 GLA key without the original?

A new key can be obtained without an original, so an all-keys-lost situation is possible to solve. But programming is dealer-only and the key is a VIN-coded order, so expect a multi-day wait.

My GLA says "key not detected." Do I need a new key?

Often not. A dead fob battery is the usual cause. Use the mechanical backup key to get in, replace the battery, and see if the message clears. If it does not, the antenna or start system may be at fault.

What chip does the 2016 GLA key use?

It uses the FBS4 (DAS4) family transponder. That is verified against Mercedes' bulletin for model 156 cars from November 2014 production, plus NHTSA and hardware-supplier references.

Is there a mechanical key inside the GLA fob?

Yes. The fob holds a mechanical backup key that opens the driver's door when the battery is dead. It does not start the car on its own.

Will water damage ruin my GLA fob?

It can. Water-damaged fobs are a known problem on this car. If the fob stops responding after getting wet, it is worth testing with a fresh battery before assuming the fob must be replaced.

Can Wilshire Lock & Key program a new GLA key?

No, and we will say so plainly. Programming on this car is dealer-only. We help with diagnosis, battery and fob problems, and getting you moving toward the right fix. Call (213) 577-1366 to talk through your situation.

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Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.