Question: I just parked my car and tried to pull out my key, but it’s stuck! I’ve been trying to get it out without any luck. What steps do I need to take to get the key out of the ignition in my Honda?
Answer:
Getting your Honda key stuck in the ignition can be frustrating—but try not to worry. This problem is usually easy to fix.
Here are a few of the most common reasons your key might be stuck in your Honda and steps on how to fix them.
Honda is still running
This might seem obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to overlook—if you haven’t turned off your car, you won’t be able to remove the key. Before you do anything else, double-check that you’ve turned the key all the way to the off position, then try to remove the key.
Gear shift is out of Park
In most cars, if the gear shifter isn’t completely locked into the Park position, you won’t be able to pull out the key. It might even look like your car is in Park—the gear shifter only has to be slightly out of place.
To solve this problem, press the brake pedal and move your gear shifter through several gears like Neutral, Drive, and Reverse. It can sometimes help to gently wiggle the key while you do this. Then, return the key to Park and try removing the key again.
Steering wheel is locked
If you try to turn off the car while moving the steering wheel, the steering wheel will sometimes lock in place and trap the key.
To fix this issue, turn your key in the ignition while gently moving your steering wheel back and forth. It might take a few tries, but you should be able to free your key as soon as the steering wheel releases.
Battery is low or dead
In some cars, the key won’t release from the ignition if the battery is dead or very low. If this is the problem, you’ll likely notice issues with other accessories like the windows, lights, and radio. You should be able to jump-start your car or replace the battery to fix the problem.
Key is damaged
Over time, your key can get bent or worn down, which could cause problems when you insert it into the ignition.
You may be able to free the key by gently working it back and forth. It may also help to gently press inward on the lock cylinder simultaneously. But be gentle—if the pins inside the ignition cylinder aren’t lined up correctly, the key won’t come out, and you could do more damage by trying to force it.
If you’ve tried all of these tips and your key still won’t budge, your ignition cylinder may be damaged. In this case, you’ll need to have your car looked at by a professional Honda mechanic. You may also be able to contact a mobile locksmith to come to you—a handy service if you’re stranded and don’t want to pay for a tow.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Giselle Gomez is an editor with over a decade of experience editing content across personal finance, education, travel, and sports. In editing for Jerry, Giselle’s focus is on making sure content is consumer and SEO-friendly and helping readers understand all things car ownership. In prior roles, she worked as a content strategist, syndication editor, and writer. Her work is featured in AP, NerdWallet.com, BestColleges.com, and more. Giselle holds a master’s degree from Arizona State University.
