Almost all newer Honda cars have a push start button. Though, older models still use key ignitions. And it is common for these old-model keys to remain stuck in the ignition, especially the ones with over five years. If you have been in this situation, you’ll agree it is quite frustrating. Several factors can be the leading cause.
In this article, I’ll explain why car owners find the key stuck in ignition Honda and how to remove the key. Firstly, it is essential to note that this article is a general outline of the cause and how to remove keys stuck in Honda cars.
If your key is stuck in ignition, Honda Civic, or Honda Accord key stuck in ignition, I published an article that explains the causes and how to fix the issues on these models. Check them out if you have any of these models.
Why does my key get stuck in the ignition Honda?
Knowing why your Honda key could get stuck in the ignition is essential. I understand it is quite unnerving and frustrating, but you don’t have to worry because this article will explain the possible causes and how to remove it. Here are the most prevalent reasons your Honda key is stuck in the ignition.
Locked steering wheel
Honda and other car models allow you to remove your car key while the ignition is not locked. If the wheel locks while turning it, the key will be stuck in the ignition until you unlock it. The latest Honda cars have a safety feature that locks the wheel if it moves while turning off the ignition.
If you park your vehicle and it is rolling, this feature will detect it and lock the wheel, preventing it from wheeling into oncoming vehicles. Once this happens, your car key will be stuck in the ignition until you unlock the steering wheel. So, if your key is stuck in ignition Honda Odyssey or any model, check if the ignition is locked. If it is, unlock it first and see if that’ll fix the problem. If it doesn’t, check other probable causes.
Ignition key not in Off position
Honda cars have LOCK, ACC, ON, and START positions. The car starts in the START position; the ON position turns on the ignition. The ACC is between the On and lock positions. If your ignition key is at the ACC position, the ignition will be halfway off, with the ignition lights off. If you leave the key in this position, it’ll be stuck in the ignition until you return it to the lock position.
Worn out or bent ignition key
The designs on your keys should match the ones on the lock. If the key wears out due to age or bend, it’ll not fit appropriately with the lock. This may result in several issues in the system. For instance, the key may not be able to unlock the wheels, may not go into the ignition, or may even be stuck inside the ignition.
It is normal for keys to wear out over time. But this is common with cheap duplicate keys. If this is the root cause, you have to throw away the key and duplicate the good one.
Rusted ignition keys
As common as it is, rust can jam the key inside the ignition system. And when the key is jammed, you may not be able to start the vehicle or remove the key from the ignition. The rust may not be much, so you may not notice it before inserting the key into the ignition. Luckily, if rust is the problem, you can easily fix it. I’ll explain more about this in the next section.
The car is not in the park
Every modern automatic car features a parking lock. Parking lock is a safety feature that prevents the ignition key from coming up unless the gear selector is in park position.
Also, Honda and other automatic transmission cars will not allow the driver to use the parking brake unless the car is parked. This is the manufacturer’s way of telling the driver to remove the ignition key before getting out of the vehicle.
If your key is stuck in ignition Honda HRV or any automatic Honda car, ensure it is in park mode. Kindly note that the car dashboard may display that the gear selector is in park mode, whereas it is not. This mainly happens when the gear selector is between reverse and park mode.
Dirt or debris on the key
I explained earlier that your ignition key could rust without you noticing it. The same applies to dirt and debris. If there’s dirt or debris on the key, it may get stuck in the ignition and may even prevent it from starting the car.
Dirt or debris may get trapped on your key when you clean, scratch, or open something with the key. Debris and dirt may cause a key stuck in Honda manual and automatic cars.
Faulty ignition lock cylinder
Let’s be clear here; ignition lock cylinders do not fail often. They may last the life of the vehicle in some cases. However, they may also go bad when you least expect them. A faulty ignition lock cylinder is not a common reason for a key stuck in the ignition Honda element or any Honda model.
Meanwhile, check if the key repeatedly sticks in the ignition if the car keys are repeatedly stuck, try using the spare key, and if it continues, you likely have a faulty ignition lock cylinder that needs replacement. Unfortunately, faulty ignition lock cylinder replacement is not a DIYer repair task. You need the services of an expert mechanic.
Low battery
Most motorists think low battery has no relation with keys getting stuck in the ignition. But that’s not true. Depending on your specific Honda model, if the car battery is drained, you may find it difficult to remove your Honda key from the ignition. Try starting the car to know if a low battery is the reason your key is stuck in ignition, Honda pilot or any model. If the battery can’t start the car, it is likely the problem.
How do you get your Honda key out of the ignition is stuck?
The first thing to do is to figure out the root cause of the problem. After that, you can know how to address the underlying issues. Here are what you should do to remove a key stuck in ignition Honda fit or any car model.
Unlock the steering wheel
Primarily, the steering wheel locks to prevent the car from rolling into oncoming cars or to prevent car theft. If the key is stuck in the ignition, turn the wheel and see if it is locked. If the wheel is locked, gently wiggle it back and forth while trying to remove the stuck key. Please, do not apply much force if you want to avoid breaking the key inside the ignition.
Ensure the key is in the Lock position
Ensure the key is not in any position except the Lock. As simple as returning the key to the lock position is, it could be all you need to address the underlying issue. This is the first step you should try before narrowing down to any other probable solutions.
Read your Honda manual.
Every Honda vehicle comes with a specific manual for that model. If you’re finding it difficult to remove the stuck key, read your owner’s manual and see if you can find any vital information in the booklet.
You can also get a service manual for your specific Honda model. These books serve different purposes, but you may find the root cause and how to fix the underlying problem in any of them.
Put the gear lever in park
If you have an automatic Honda car, shift the gear selector to the park position. If not, the key won’t come off the ignition. Even if the dashboard shows the car is in the park, select neutral and push the selector to the park position.
If the gear selector is between the reverse and park, it may show park on the dashboard but won’t let you remove the key until it’s entirely in park.
Recharge the battery
As explained earlier, a dead battery may result in a key stuck in ignition Honda CRV or your respective car model. So, you should test your battery and ensure it has enough electric juice to start your car. If it doesn’t, recharge the battery and see if that’ll fix the underlying issues.
Lubricate the ignition lock
Since I mentioned that debris could cause the key to stick in the ignition, you can fix it by lubricating the lock. To do this, grab compressed air and spray it into the lock. After that, lubricate the lock. This will be challenging since the key is already stuck in the ignition. However, using a WD40 straw will make the process much simpler.
Shake the gear selector
If you suspect the gear selector is not entirely in the park position, gently shake it back and forth between the reverse and park position. Meanwhile, ensure you depress the brake pedal while shaking the gear selector.
Call a locksmith
If all the above solutions prove abortive, contact a locksmith. Locksmiths have experience and specialized tools to remove a stuck key in the ignition. If they break the key, they can duplicate it. In a worst-case scenario, the locksmith may have to replace the ignition cylinder lock and the key fob.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Q: Why won’t my Honda key come out?
As reiterated above, several factors can cause your Honda key to get stuck in the ignition. These include low battery, debris in the cylinder lock, bent key, ignition lock issues, worn out key, rusted ignition key, lock steering wheel, and gear selector not in park. If your key is stuck in the ignition, check these probable causes to easily address it.
Q: What does it mean when your key gets stuck in the ignition?
When a key is stuck in the ignition, it means you have a damaged key, worn-out or bent key, ignition lock issues, or rusted ignition key, preventing the car key from coming out of the ignition. There are several ways to fix this issue since there are several probable causes. You just find out and address the root cause.
Q: How much does it cost to get a key out of your car?
This depends on the leading cause of the problem. You usually don’t have to spend a dime to remove a stuck car key in the ignition. This is because all you need could be to recharge the battery, wiggle the steering wheel, turn the ignition key to the off position, or push the gear selector to park.
If these don’t fix the problem, you have to contact a locksmith. A locksmith will charge you $50 to $250 to remove a stuck key in the ignition.
Q: How much are Honda replacement keys?
The cost of replacing your Honda keys depends on the type of key and key fob the key has. Honda key fobs that require programming will cost more than those without key fobs. But in general, you should spend $90 to $150 for your Honda key replacement. Remember to book an appointment with your dealership before visiting their shop so they can get any part that is out of stock before your arrival.
Final Word
A key stuck in ignition Honda HRV, or any Honda model could be a minor or significant issue that needs the expertise of a locksmith to sort out. You need to try the above techniques whenever you are in such a situation. However, you have to be gentle with the key when trying any of the probable solutions to avoid breaking it in the ignition.
If all things prove abortive, contact a locksmith to remove the key. You can take the car to your dealership or have a local locksmith address the underlying problem. Lastly, check this article – how to unstuck a car key from the ignition if you’re experiencing this issue on any other car.
