I've had an ongoing problem since I purchased my 2015 Renegade in April with the key getting stuck in the ignition when I switch the car off. I've tried everything from wiggling the steering wheel, turning it back on and off again, and slamming the car into park (worked with a ford suv I had before). Usually after turning it on and off a few times the key will finally release. However, it's been stuck in my ignition all day today, leaving me no way to secure my vehicle. I've had it in to the dealership before and they couldn't figure it out and I'm sure they were convinced I was nuts. I'm currently sitting at the dealership again and they see I'm not crazy this time. Has anyone had this issue? I don't have a garage to park in and Chrysler isn't going to buy me a new one if this gets stolen because I can't secure it. I'm so disappointed with my jeep right now. This isn't the first issue I've had, the 3rd issue in fact, and I've only had it since April.
Key stuck in the ignition 2015 Renegade
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Jaymless,
If you check out the thread Lackadazikal linked to, I provided a resolution to this concern there: 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.
What did the dealership have to say about this?
If you check out the thread Lackadazikal linked to, I provided a resolution to this concern there: 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.
What did the dealership have to say about this?
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I am glad we got the keyless go system. love the push start button.
That thread actually had nothing to do with my issue, I was already well aware of that. The dealership couldn't even get my key out. They ended up taking it apart and disabling a switch in the ignition. Turns out it was faulty and they have ordered me a new one.
That would even be a lesson with other tech, when in doubt, go basic.
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Sorry to hear about this concern, but I'm happy to hear that your dealership has gotten to the bottom of it. Please keep us posted on how everything goes once the new switch is installed!
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I had this happen also but mine was caused from a dead battery.not sure why you can not remove the key if the battery goes dead but it does it. Dealer was unable to find out why the battery went dead but they did replace the battery.
I had the same issue this weekend. I had to remove the bottom cover on the steering column to get to the key release solenoid and manually release the key.
I took it to the dealer today and the key was stuck again. The service advisor started the jeep and turned the key off and on a few times and the key released.
I went back this afternoon and she said it was all done. She showed me the notes from Engineering describing the .5 second delay. I am not accepting that as a final answer. My Jeep is staying to be checked again in the morning. I have had it for a grand total of 3 weeks. I will pass on any new results.
I took it to the dealer today and the key was stuck again. The service advisor started the jeep and turned the key off and on a few times and the key released.
I went back this afternoon and she said it was all done. She showed me the notes from Engineering describing the .5 second delay. I am not accepting that as a final answer. My Jeep is staying to be checked again in the morning. I have had it for a grand total of 3 weeks. I will pass on any new results.
Update on the stuck ignition key.
I received a copy of the STAR case #S1508000161 from Mopar. The previous post about following the sequence for removing the key does work. The other thing I found out is that if you leave the key in the ignition after you turn off the car for more than a minute, it will be trapped. You can release the key by cycling the key from off to run/on and then back to off to release.
I received a copy of the STAR case #S1508000161 from Mopar. The previous post about following the sequence for removing the key does work. The other thing I found out is that if you leave the key in the ignition after you turn off the car for more than a minute, it will be trapped. You can release the key by cycling the key from off to run/on and then back to off to release.
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i'm sitting here in new orleans right now. confounded by the same predicament. and i have only had the renegade for three weeks!! Will have to have it towed back to dealer tomorrow. what a disappointment.
I noticed that when I shut the vehicle off and then turn the key to the ON position to listen the radio (no ACC position) that is when the key gets stuck. Happens with both keys. One day we had to leave the key in the ignition all night before it would release. We tried the foot on the brake, off the brake, starting the car and turning it off several times, nothing worked. My thought: the problem happens because there is no ACC position so the ignition switch won't release if the key is in the On position for several minutes after the car is shut off.
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On my sport model I just hit the stereo power button after I kill the engine . No Acc position needed
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In a 2015 Jeep Renegade owners manual pg 491 discribes how to release stuck keys by pulling a tab under steering column. My key was stuck and I just reached underneath and pulled tab while pulling key out. Of course my daughter did it and has small hand s but Jeep gives you a tool to remove lower half and then free key. Hope this helps. the tool should be in the new Jeep glovebox ro somewhere but it also tell you where it should be.
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I had my ignition key stuck today. My Renegade has now 15 000 km on its odo after half a year. Both of the keys have been working all this time a little unprecisely, and finally today I had to call the Jeep helpdesk. A guy came after a while and got my key off the switch. Yes, I know there are instructions in the owner's manual for dismantling some plastic covers of the steering column to release the key, but after unscrewing the bolts the cover was not willing to get loose. I was afraid to use force, since I know that these plastic panels tend to break easily.
I think this is a bit weird: there is a tool and instructions ready for releasing the stuck ignition key. This means that the manufacturer knows that sooner or later the key will be stuck!
The concept of the Renegade is very positive in general, but I must say that I am not very happy about the quality of the vehicle.
I think this is a bit weird: there is a tool and instructions ready for releasing the stuck ignition key. This means that the manufacturer knows that sooner or later the key will be stuck!
The concept of the Renegade is very positive in general, but I must say that I am not very happy about the quality of the vehicle.
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A reply to my own post: It seems the quality of the user was poor, this time. After reading the owner's manual and some messages on this forum I noticed what is the problem. After parking and moving the gear shift lever to "P", waiting for the parking brake light to switch on and the brake pedal to slightly press a bit deeper, I have released the brake pedal, waited for a second or so, and - the ignition key is easily released! The clue is to wait until turning the key counterclockwise. For some reason, my key was stuck never before, although my Renegade has almost 10 000 miles on the odo. Of course, this problem might come back one day, but until then I keep on being satisfied, again 
No kutale..
That is not how it is suppost to work
They replaced mine under warrentee afer i had to fake like i was buying another renegade and prove that new renegades do not have this problem.
The jeep renegade is a fucking disaster absolutley the biggest peice of **** i have ever owned
Take your jeep to a dealer and make them replace your broke ignition if your key gets stuck in thw vehicle and is stolen insurance will not cover it.
Good luck with your POS. I will be selling mine asap.
Sent from my LG-H631 using Tapatalk
That is not how it is suppost to work
They replaced mine under warrentee afer i had to fake like i was buying another renegade and prove that new renegades do not have this problem.
The jeep renegade is a fucking disaster absolutley the biggest peice of **** i have ever owned
Take your jeep to a dealer and make them replace your broke ignition if your key gets stuck in thw vehicle and is stolen insurance will not cover it.
Good luck with your POS. I will be selling mine asap.
Sent from my LG-H631 using Tapatalk
I too have had this problem with a 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk. The recommended method to get the key unstuck, i.e. cycle the ignition (key-on / key-off), does not seem to work when the vehicle is in this state.
I had the dealership check it out and they could not find any issues. They informed me of the correct procedure to remove the key from the ignition after driving the vehicle - also stated in this post: http://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/fo...lubed-ignition-reground-key-2.html#post162609
I noticed that the procedure does not mention when to switch off the engine. To date the key does not get stuck if I release the brake pedal prior to switching off the engine.
The procedure is thus:
I had the dealership check it out and they could not find any issues. They informed me of the correct procedure to remove the key from the ignition after driving the vehicle - also stated in this post: http://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/fo...lubed-ignition-reground-key-2.html#post162609
I noticed that the procedure does not mention when to switch off the engine. To date the key does not get stuck if I release the brake pedal prior to switching off the engine.
The procedure is thus:
- While the engine is still running shift into park
- Release the brake pedal
- Switch off the engine
- After a slight delay (0.5 seconds) remove the key from the ignition cylinder
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