Key Stuck in the Ignition? What to Do

The usual causes, most common first

• The car is not fully in Park. On an automatic, the key is locked in until the shifter is all the way in Park. Press the brake, move the lever to Park firmly, and try again.
• The steering lock is under tension. If the wheels were turned when you switched off, the steering lock can pinch the ignition. Turn the steering wheel gently left and right while you turn the key back to the off position.
• The key is not all the way to off. Some ignitions have a stop between accessory and off. Make sure the key is turned fully back.
• The battery is dead. On many cars the shifter and the key release need power. If the dashboard is dark, the key may stay locked in until the battery is charged or jumped.
• A worn key or a worn cylinder. A copy of a copy, a key that has been bent, or a cylinder with years of wear can catch on the way out.

What to try, and what not to

Try the four steps above, in that order, with gentle pressure. Wiggle the key straight in and out slightly while the wheel is moving. Do not use pliers, do not twist hard, and do not spray oil into the ignition: lubricants that stay wet collect dust and make the problem worse later. A key that snaps in the ignition is a much bigger job than one that is stuck.

When it is a locksmith job

If the key still will not come out, or the key turns but the car will not start, the ignition cylinder or the key itself is the problem. A locksmith can free the key, repair or replace the ignition cylinder on many cars, and cut a new key that matches. If the key has already broken, see broken key extraction; if you need a new key or a programmed one, see car key replacement and car key programming.

A key that sticks now and then is a warning. A fresh, well-cut key from the original rather than from a worn copy often fixes it before it strands you.

Questions people ask