[Holland53]

Welcome to the forums, even if for a necessary reason...

Have you checked out the Subaru Forester forums? There's a TSB for the stuck key that a dealership should be able to take care of for ya.

C.

Hi Chris, yes I trawled through the entire thread before I posted. Thanks again. Arthur

 

[802Suby]

Hey all - I just noticed this thread after I posted my solution to this issue on a smaller thread. If you've found that rocking your shifter back and forth eventually releases your keys, I recommend reading my response here (I don't want to have to rewrite it here).

To summarize what I did, I took some interior pieces off to get to the shifter and intended on replacing the guide plate (part #35122FJ033). However, I noticed that the existing part had a worn tab that didn't actuate a button that releases your keys. Once I had it straightened out I have not had my keys stuck since. I highly recommend this as an alternative to replacing the entire shifter assembly and as a troubleshooting procedure for this problem.

INTERESTING! Just checked out the photos in the link you posted and will attempt this job soon!

 

[Marc6795]

Count me in as one of the lucky few who cannot get his key out unless I slam the shifter into Park. I'm going to try what VitaminRAD did tomorrow. No way am I willing to pay ~$500 to get this fixed. Looking for temporary fixes until the rumored 2021 2.5L comes out.

Same here

 

[802Suby]

Cleaning the button on the shift plate with electrode cleaning spray worked for me for awhile....4 weeks or so then I had to take it apart and clean it agin

 

[Cutlass]

Same here

Subaru is offering a fix to the effected cars.

 

[Cutlass]

I had the work done today under the Subaru warranty expansion on the issue. Took about 1 1/2hrs.


No cars in the dealer showroom. Receptionist said dealer had nothing new in stock that wasn't pre-sold.

 

[tenner4one]

I found a temporary fix for key stuck in ignition on my 2017 Forester. I keep my foot on the brake until I turn the key off completely and have not had a problem since. But there is a recall to fix the problem and I will get it done.

 

[timegonbye]

My wife and I just purchased a 2016 Legacy for one of our newly licensed children. About a month into owning it, the ignition would not go in to the "lock" position and the key could not be pulled out. After locating this thread and reading through "fixes" here is my updated experience.

1. Slamming the shifter into Park really does not seem to help.
2. Turning the key while pushing the brake down and simultaneously pushing the key/ignition in-and-out about six times (while gently turning key towards the off/lock position) will get the ignition to move to "lock" and release the key.
3. More importantly, as this is only a band-aid remedy, I did call SOA and gave them the last eight of my VIN. I was told vehicles effected by this problem are covered until March 2024 regardless of miles, prior ownership status, or whom/where purchased from, and to simply call my local Subaru Service Department and make an appointment.

I did as instructed and the service representative essentially stated this is now a well known issue. After also giving the Subaru Service Department the last eight of my VIN, they confirmed my vehicle was covered with an extended warranty for this issue and some other minor issues my car does not appear to have (but nice to know). I was able to make a no hassle appointment six days from now. No long winded story or explanation was needed, and they did not care if they could duplicate the problem or not. I was told that an "updated selector lever" would be installed free of charge. So far so good, and I will give an update on how well (hopefully) the fix worked.

 

[timegonbye]

Here is my simple follow up on my above post. I brought the car in yesterday and the Subaru Service Department performed the above service. After driving the car with the repaired ignition shifter for over 24 hours, the problem appears to be resolved. So forget about the band-aid fixes, get the ignition/key lock problem properly fixed while the extended warranty is still in effect. The fix was completed in about 3-4 hours and there was no charge.

 

[orndog]

What is the extended warranty verbiage? What exactly do they replace?

 

[Lisa2.0]

Hi ..I'm new as well but from Australia, this I believe helps the American manufactured Cars, I am looking for information on the Japanese manufactured cars as this has happened to me and so far they are not coverings..saying oh this Known issue is only the American manufactured vehicles...It is not but ..is a key plate connection that is faulty tricking the car into believing its driving so for safety won't release key. I just paid $612 to have fixed even though known issue and they have recalled the Japanese manufactured Subaru's from 2018-22. Anyone know the verbiage to be reimbursed for my Subaru Xv in Australia ? I hope tis helped you.

 

[jacobcaaron95]

With the car still running, make sure the shifter is in park and press the button on it 4 times then turn the key out

 

[becxnt]

First the issue in getting the key out. Not sure of the XV's but previous Subaru's had a small hole below the ignition in the lower steering wheel cover. By placing a small screwdriver or similar device in the hole and pressing caused a release to be activated allowing you to remove the key. Have a look, it's free. If you have an owners manual, please read the pages concerning the ignition switch and/or shifter, there may be a similar work-around written in there. The cause 'could' be a faulty neutral switch. Yes even though you can't remove the ignition key from anywhere else but Park, it also acts as an interlock. If the ignition is not getting a signal that the transmission is not in Park, it won't release the key. Intermittent tries as you have performed indicate it is 'intermittently' working. Best for a dealer to replace it as it takes some finese to get it in the right position. If this or another solution solves the problem, please make sure you post how the problem was solved here in your thread. Too many members ask for help but never return to provide the answer to what fixed the problem, that can and will help others in the future. Hope this helps. Cheers Doug

I have had the same problem with key getting stuck - got progressively worse ..after a bit of internet research including this forum , I replaced my battery ( which I needed to do any way as was at 75% The utube video I watched about this explained it was something to do with the car not realising it was in park to release key and this was a small part connecting that required the cars electrics After a few small trips driving and charging the problem was fixed ! or so I thought …. 3 weeks later it’s started again Not all the time but I sense where it’s going to end up Anyone got ideas on this ??

 

[Imprezzaowner13]

Followup: The dealership decided to replace the ignition lock core and get it ground to my keys. Seems to work fine now, but it was definitely a manufacturing defect.

-Joel

Thanks, Joel. I know you wrote this 9 years ago, but I bought a used 2012 Impreza hatchback for a song and it’s been great until this lock thing happened! I’m going to try everything that was mentioned, but if the dealership will handle it if it’s a defect, I’ll be thrilled.
thanks for your follow up post!

 

[EVLBAE]

Hi, I hope this isn't much of a dead thread revival. I'm a Subaru tech in Nashville. I read through this after having a client come in with a 2013 XV with this very same issue. I ran through the troubleshooting diagnostics and came down to this (and I was able to duplicate the concern). First, let's go through the symptoms for anyone that has posted. This client intermittently, yet more frequently as of late, can put the car in Park, turn the key all the way back (2 clicks) to the off position, where key can be removed, but the key fails to come out. The ignition has essentially remained locked, due to getting a signal indicating the car is in any other gear except Park. With some wiggling of the shifter or cycling again through the gears, the key eventually comes out. What's happening is the P Range switch in the shifter assembly is getting stuck in, albeit from a previously spilled beverage or grease getting on the contactor or something else (maybe even slight corrosion due to humidity) that migrated down around the panels and gummed up the switch itself. It's a simple 2-wire switch. It's not the easiest to replace but it can be done. It's the connector directly in front of the shifter assembly (with the panels removed). Pins 1 and 2 of connector B116 are for this switch. Replacing this should fix this (assuming it too doesn't get gummed up by something later).

For those worried about running out of warranty before this is repaired, don't worry. If you brought this complaint to your dealership's attention and it has yet to be properly remedied - so long as you did this while you still had SAS coverage, they are obligated to repair this even after your warranty expires. But be persistent and get this in and contact the service manager if you're not satisfied with the Service advisor handling this effectively.

If you have further questions on this subject, give me a holler!

- Sarge -

Hey Sarge! I got a 2012 Impreza Hatchback bought second hand. My key just started getting stuck in the ignition only sometimes. To take it out Ihave to turn the car on and off and then it’ll come out. I tried turning the wheel a bit but it doesn’t seem to work. Only off and on then pull the key out. What could be wrong with my car. Please help!

 

[lilmac]

Subaru won't replace the shifter guide plate on my 2014 Subaru Crosstrek. Early this summer the key started getting stuck in the ignition. It's been happening more and more. The dealership wants $580 to fix it. I called Subaru thinking they would reimburse the dealer for the work as it's clearly a design defect. All I've heard is how the warranty and extension have expired and my car is too old. I just paid for new tires and some other repairs and I'm not in a position to buy a different vehicle. I really feel like this is Subaru's responsibility as it has nothing to do with the age or mileage on the car. Any suggestions?

 

[DieselDorf]

If you bend the parking switch back up a bit it fixes the problem forever, the switch gets bent down over time. It take like 20 mins to do and requires no special tools.

 

[Elizabethfey]

With the car still running, make sure the shifter is in park and press the button on it 4 times then turn the key out

Did not do a thing.

 

[Elizabethfey]

If you bend the parking switch back up a bit it fixes the problem forever, the switch gets bent down over time. It take like 20 mins to do and requires no special tools.

We are going to try this and I hope that's all it will take.b

 

[Elizabethfey]

View attachment 315119 Hi ..I'm new as well but from Australia, this I believe helps the American manufactured Cars, I am looking for information on the Japanese manufactured cars as this has happened to me and so far they are not coverings..saying oh this Known issue is only the American manufactured vehicles...It is not but ..is a key plate connection that is faulty tricking the car into believing its driving so for safety won't release key. I just paid $612 to have fixed even though known issue and they have recalled the Japanese manufactured Subaru's from 2018-22. Anyone know the verbiage to be reimbursed for my Subaru Xv in Australia ? I hope tis helped you.

Unfortunately, you posted this well past the expiration date. I feel Subaru should extend this specific warranty indefinitely for this since it's such a huge issue with so many of their vehicles. I can tell you this.... I will NEVER buy another Subaru again, and I will discourage as many people as humanly possible from doing so as well. We spent so much money on this car and they are not accountable for their mistakes.