2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Key Replacement, Los Angeles

The 2020–2026 GLE (incl. ML/M-Class) uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Mercedes-Benz GLE (incl. ML/M-Class) key guide.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE (incl. ML/M-Class): key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: Varies by trim — we confirm by VIN
Programming: Dealer-only (we'll tell you before you spend anything)
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

V167 GLE — launched well after Mercedes' FBS4 switchover, so FBS4 by platform era, but we did not verify model-specific key documentation this session. Added/replacement keys are assumed dealer-only (VIN-coded order, Xentry enablement); we confirm the current procedure per job.

What key does a 2020 GLE use, and what does that mean for you?

The 2020 GLE (the V167 generation, the successor to the line that began as the ML/M-Class) uses a smart proximity key. You carry the fob, the car detects it, and you start the engine with the push-button. Nothing gets inserted into an ignition. The system is the FBS4 (DAS4) family, which is what Mercedes was using by the time this platform launched.

One thing to say plainly: that chip family is our read based on the platform era. We did not verify model-specific key documentation for this exact year, so treat it as likely rather than confirmed. We settle it by VIN before anyone orders anything.

Every smart fob also contains a mechanical backup key. If the fob battery dies, that blade still opens the driver door, and it is worth knowing where yours is before you need it.

Key type: smart proximity fob with push-to-start
Chip family: FBS4 (DAS4), not verified for this specific year
Mechanical backup key: yes, built into the fob

Duplicate key or all keys lost: what is different?

For this setup, an original key is not required to get a new one made. That means a lost-everything situation is possible to solve, not a dead end. Having a working key in hand mostly makes the job simpler and the paperwork easier, but it does not decide whether a replacement can happen.

The catch is how the key is made. Programming on this vehicle is treated as dealer-only. A new fob is ordered coded to your VIN, and the car's system has to be enabled for it through Xentry, Mercedes' diagnostic platform. A lost or damaged fob generally means a VIN-coded dealer order, and you should expect a multi-day wait for the part rather than a same-visit fix.

We also did not determine whether a NASTF SDRM credential figures into this particular job, so we will not pretend to know. When you call, we confirm the current procedure for your car rather than assume it.

What usually goes wrong with these keys?

Not every no-start is a lost key. Before you pay for a replacement, it helps to rule out the common faults on this setup:

Dead fob battery: the car reports that the key is not detected. This is the easiest problem and the one to check first.
Water-damaged fob: a fob that went through the wash or a pocket in the rain can stop talking to the car.
Keyless antenna or start-button faults: these can mimic a bad key, so a new fob does not fix them.
Lost or damaged fobs: these need the VIN-coded order described above.

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 a replacement?

We will not quote a figure before we know your situation, and no honest shop can on a car like this. These are the things that move the cost:

Whether you need a battery or a new fob. A battery swap is the lighter-cost fix; a VIN-coded fob is a different category.
Whether you have any working key left, which affects how much has to be set up from scratch.
How many fobs you want ordered at once.
Whether the problem is actually the key or an antenna or start-button fault.
Where the car is, and whether it must be moved or reached by a mobile van.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key about a Mercedes key

We have been in business since 1987 and work from a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, with mobile service vans. You deal with one company, not a dispatch middleman, and David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work.

Our phone, (213) 577-1366, is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If your fob is dead and you are stuck, we can help work out whether it is the battery, the fob, or the car. If it turns out to need the dealer route, we tell you so up front instead of letting you wait on a promise we cannot keep.

If you hire any locksmith, ask for their California BSIS LCO license; the state requires locksmith companies to hold one. For broader background, see our car keys overview, the Mercedes-Benz key page, or the GLE page. You can also reach us here.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 GLE use a transponder key or a smart key?

It uses a smart proximity key with push-to-start. The chip family is most likely FBS4 (DAS4) based on the platform era, but we have not verified model-specific documentation for this year, so we confirm by VIN.

Can I get a new key if I lost every key?

Yes, an all-keys-lost situation is possible for this setup, and an original key is not required. Expect a VIN-coded dealer order, which usually means a multi-day wait.

Why is my GLE saying key not detected?

The most common cause is a dead fob battery. Try the mechanical backup key for the door, and have the battery checked. If a fresh battery does not help, an antenna or start-button fault could be involved.

Is programming a 2020 GLE key dealer-only?

Yes, replacement keys are treated as dealer-only: a VIN-coded order plus Xentry enablement. We confirm the current procedure for your car when you call, since we did not verify model-specific details.

Does the fob have a mechanical key inside?

Yes. The smart fob contains a mechanical backup key that can open the driver door if the battery is dead or the fob is not responding.

Will a new fob fix my no-start?

Not always. Keyless antenna and start-button faults can look like a bad key, and a water-damaged fob can behave the same way. It is worth diagnosing before ordering a replacement.

Can you come to me, or do I need to come in?

We have a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans. Call (213) 577-1366 and we will tell you which makes sense for your situation.

We cover all these cities

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.