key stuck in ignition [Fixed - cleaned, lubed the ignition, and reground the key]

Did you try moving the steering wheel back and forth a little?

Yeah, I actually have driven it about 5 places while it's been stuck. The steering wheel never locks. Seems like it will not fully go into the off position.

If it's an automatic, sometimes vigorously slamming it into park will jar the key safety switch loose and free the key.

ETA: The key safety switch is sometimes sticky on new cars, this isn't unusual.

I'm confused. Are there some models/levels with keys and others with keyless start?

TS

twospirits, some models have remote start/push start. If you get the Cold Weather package and/or premium leather group both remote and push start are included.

Don't mean to sound overly obvious, but is there a release but to on the keyed models? My Liberty has one and the auto parts guy that checked a code for me the other day was totally stumped by it. I thought lots of cars had those still.

I wasn't really happy that I had to take keyless with one of the other packages I wanted, but I guess I at least won't have this issue ��

My husband's '05 Liberty has (what I consider) a bizarre ignition where you have to actually push the whole thing in while turning to get it into the OFF position. Whenever I drive his car I'm always fumbling with it to figure out how to get the thing in the right position to remove the key.

Pics or videos?

I saw a way to remove the key manually when I was looking through the Owner's Manual. You have to open the steering column cover and then release a tab while pulling the key.

The renegade ignition does require the funky push it and turn. The dealership did get my key out but are keeping it to figure out if it the ignition or key that is causing it to catch. Once it came out it won't stick totally, but pulling it out you can feel an odd
catch.

I didn't read about the removal button in the column, but figured it did have one.

Figured that I would leave it stuck to hopefully correct the issue early on.

They cleaned and lubed the ignition... And reground my key. Actually said it was a problem with the key. They also adjusted my front drivers side door. I had a wind noise, and they seem to think the door seal was causing it. We'll see... Have to return this Chrysler 200 tomorrow and get my Renny back!

Did you ever get a definitive answer on the key issue? My fiance went to go to work this morning and same issue, on top of that it won't start now. Roadside is coming and luckily dealership is half mile from the house but still inconvenient.

My key didnt' want to come out at first. After messing with it, I realized you have to finesse it out. (not even joking). After I got used to it, I haven't had any issues.

MooCowDanger said:

My key didnt' want to come out at first. After messing with it, I realized you have to finesse it out. (not even joking). After I got used to it, I haven't had any issues.

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Same here, it seems to require a specific touch oddly enough lol. Doesn't always happen though. Weird

I can confirm I have the same issue. Looking from the key's perspective, when you turn it counter clockwise all the way, it will not come out. I have to turn it all the way, then back clockwise a hair and it comes right out.

Another quirk.

JEEPCARES of this forum posted the following procedure which was listed in another topic in this forum. My key was difficult to remove at times as well, but try his procedure:
I quote:


The Renegade’s shift lever has an enhanced safety mechanism that requires the driver to release the brake pedal prior to removing the key from the ignition. After shifting into park and then releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle requires a slight delay (about 0.5 seconds) before allowing the key to be removed from the ignition cylinder. Be sure to follow this in order to avoid the key sticking in the ignition.


By following this procedure my sticky key problem is resolved. Key comes out smoothly by this method.
Hope this helps someone.
John

3matthew3 said:

Buff any sharp edges off of your key and it will come out like it should. That's all my dealer did and it is smooth now.

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First time that I've seen a key like that. I'm used to the old school keys.

My Lattitude has this issue

It is getting worse, have ti fight the key to come out. Never had a car with this kind of issue, tried using the spare key and same problem. Really frustrated with this.