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Key gets stuck in the ignition and won't come out: Causes & How to Fix It

If your vehicle is showing key gets stuck in the ignition and won't come out, here are the most likely causes and the parts you'll need to fix each one.

Most likely causes

Steering Wheel Lock Bindingminor

The steering wheel is turned tightly against its locking mechanism, putting mechanical pressure on the ignition cylinder and trapping the key. Wiggling the steering wheel while pulling the key usually releases it.

Vehicle Not Fully in Parkaddress soon

The shift interlock system prevents key removal if the vehicle isn't in Park. Worn shift bushings or a failing safety switch can cause the system to think the car is still in gear.

Dead Batteryminor

Many modern vehicles use an electronic solenoid to release the key from the ignition. If the battery is completely dead, this solenoid cannot actuate to release the key.

Worn Ignition Lock Cylinder or Keyaddress soon

The internal tumblers inside the ignition lock cylinder are worn out, bent, or jammed, physically trapping the key inside the housing.

Misadjusted Shift Cableaddress soon

If transmission or console work was recently performed, the shift cable may be misadjusted, preventing the transmission from fully engaging the Park position and triggering the key release.

Failing Ignition Switchurgent

The electrical switch located behind the lock cylinder has failed, melted, or mechanically bound up, preventing the lock cylinder from rotating fully to the 'Off/Lock' position.

Related problems

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