A stuck key does not automatically mean the ignition must be replaced.
The key, lock cylinder, steering lock, transmission position, vehicle battery, immobilizer, or other starting-system component can influence what you experience. A useful request describes what moves, what does not, and what happened immediately before the problem.
When a key will not turn
Do not apply excessive force. Make sure the vehicle is fully in park and follow the normal manufacturer starting procedure. If the steering wheel is under pressure, gentle movement while lightly testing the key may relieve the steering lock. Try a known good spare if one exists. Stop if the key bends, grinds, or begins to twist.
A worn key can be the problem even when it still looks intact. If a spare works normally, mention that. If no key turns, the cylinder or another vehicle component may need evaluation.
When a key will not come out
Verify the vehicle is in the correct gear and the ignition is in its normal removal position. Avoid pliers, glue, or pulling hard on a plastic key head. Some removal problems are mechanical; others relate to interlocks or vehicle systems beyond ordinary locksmith work.
Broken-key extraction
A broken fragment in a vehicle door, ignition, home lock, mailbox, or padlock should be removed without pushing it deeper. Do not insert another key, drill bit, adhesive, or improvised hook. Tell dispatch where the break occurred, whether the fragment is visible, how much of the key remains, and whether the lock was turning at the moment it broke.
Extraction does not guarantee the lock will work afterward. The broken key may be a symptom of internal wear, debris, corrosion, alignment pressure, or a damaged cylinder. Ask the provider to test the opening and explain whether a new key, repair, or replacement is appropriate.
Preserve every piece of the key.
The fragments can help identify the blank and pattern. Keep them dry and do not file, glue, or reshape them.
Ignition repair and replacement
Mechanical ignition-lock work varies widely by vehicle. Some cylinders can be serviced or replaced and matched to an existing mechanical key; others interact with steering columns, immobilizers, housings, switches, security bolts, or modules. Dispatch must identify a provider equipped for the exact vehicle.
Describe any theft damage, foreign object, prior key or ignition replacement, intermittent operation, dashboard message, no-crank or no-start condition, and whether remote or proximity functions still work.
Proof and estimate details
Have identification and vehicle ownership or authorization documents available. Confirm whether the estimate includes diagnosis, extraction, replacement key, cutting, programming, cylinder or housing, labor, travel, and testing. If the provider believes a non-locksmith mechanical or electrical repair is needed, ask for that distinction before authorizing more work.