What Causes the Car Key to Get Stuck?
4 Answers
Here are the reasons why a car key might get stuck and the corresponding solutions: 1. The gear shift is not fully returned to the P (Park) position, failing to trigger the electronic sensor: Start the car, shift the gear again, and ensure it is fully returned to the P position, then the key can be removed. 2. Obstructions like coins in the gear slot preventing it from returning: Check the gear slot for any foreign objects and remove them. Additional information: Reasons and solutions for the car key not turning after insertion: Reason: The car's steering wheel automatic lock function activates if the steering wheel is accidentally turned or the wheels are not aligned after parking and turning off the engine, causing the steering wheel to lock. Solution: Gently turn the key with your right hand while lightly turning the steering wheel with your left hand to unlock the steering wheel, allowing the key to turn.
It's quite common to encounter difficulty in removing the car key. When I faced this issue before, I found that the main cause lies in the gear position. Nowadays, automatic transmission vehicles are basically designed to allow key removal only in the P (Park) position. If the car is turned off while in D (Drive) or the gear isn't fully engaged, the key will definitely get stuck. The steering wheel lock is another frequent troublemaker—if the steering wheel is turned when the engine is off, it can engage the steering column lock, making it impossible to remove the key. Once, a mechanic also reminded me to check the metal spring tabs inside the keyhole, as they might get deformed and jam the key if poked by a child. Additionally, aftermarket anti-theft key covers that are too thick or a bent car key can also get stuck in the lock cylinder. If this happens, don't yank it forcefully. Instead, try wiggling the steering wheel left and right to release the lock, ensure the gear is firmly in P, turn the key back to the off position, and then gently pull it out.
Ever had your car key stuck in the ignition switch? Here are some practical troubleshooting steps I've summarized: First, confirm the transmission is in P gear – all automatic vehicles have this safety feature. Next, check if the steering wheel lock is jamming the steering column; gently turning the wheel while rotating the key usually releases it. Some cars have a hidden key release button that must be pressed to remove the key. Also inspect if the keyhole is blocked by foreign objects, or if oversized aftermarket keychains are interfering with the steering column. Warped mechanical keys or internal lock cylinder jams can also cause this – in such cases, completely turn off the engine, restart, and repeat all steps carefully.
I've experienced the issue of the key getting stuck in the car three times, and found that 80% of the cases are caused by these three problems: first, the automatic transmission wasn't shifted back to P (Park) position; second, the steering wheel was locked; third, the key wasn't turned back to its original position after turning off the engine. There's also a common but easily overlooked situation - when the floor mat curls up and blocks the brake pedal, the system may mistakenly judge that the vehicle hasn't stopped and thus locks the key. Now when encountering this situation, I'll first restart the engine, press the brake to confirm the gear is in P position, gently turn the steering wheel to the unlocked position after turning off the engine, and finally turn the key all the way before pulling it out. These steps usually solve the problem, and only if they don't work will I contact roadside assistance.
