My key wont turn in the ignition

im first going to assume that this key works ok in the doors on this vehicle? if so then its probably not the key. which leaves a couple of possibilites. either the steering wheel is "locked" which makes it very difficult o turn the key unless the pressure is taken off the steering wheel. or a tumbler inside the ignition switch has been damaged and isnt dropping like its supposed to so you can turn the ignition. if its the steering wheel in a locked position it will move a little one way and not at all the other. put the key in the igintion and wiggle the steering wheel back and forth and the ignition should free up enought to turn the key and your back in business. if thats not it it will probably need an ignition switch which may be a little costly since you can free it up to release the old switch

I have a 2007 Kia optima that did the same thing. I had it towed twice and they could not duplicate the problem. Finally someone said the starter needed to be changed and that solved my problem.

My 2013 Optima has been doiing that all weekend. Every time I shut the car off I have to fight to get the key out, turn it on again, move steerng wheel etc. I just found a site that said to use WD-40 n the ignition. I did that and now it is working fine! I used the WD-40 and played with starting the car up then shutting it off and takign the key out. I has worked everytime since I did that.

My 2007 Key is stuck in the ignition, I could not get it out, it would turn on but it would not turn left for me to take it out, it stayed in the acc position until I disconnected the battery. The key came out but only when the battery was disconnect... Off to the dealer I go. :-(

My 2006 Optima has done this off and on for months. Once my battery even died because of this problem. I am so sick of this crap! What pisses me off is that with the magnitude of people complaining about the same issue... KIA KNOW ABOUT IT; YET HAS DONE NOTHING!! I will NEVER buy another KIA!!!!

I am having that same problem with my 2012 Optima. It is driving me nuts. The dealer said to jerk the wheel real hard to the right but that didn't help either. I will try graphite or WD-40 in the ignition.

Hold the brake in then take your right hand and pull the gear shift knob close to Park "P" until you hear a click, then take your left hand and push the key in and turn left. The key will come out.

I just had this happen this morning on my 2014 Optima that I'll have had one month tomorrow (with ~630 miles on it). What a shock to not have the key work! I tried several times, and then, I'm not completely sure what I did (I do remember yanking on the steering wheel) it freed up. Wow.

I have a2001 serento with a 6 speed the key got stuck in the ignition, went to dealer and he sold me a new ignition without bothering to tell me that the computer would need to be reprogramed for the new fob, also have check engine light on Code says manifold so its also not covered by the bogus warranty I will never !!!!!! Ever !!!!!!! buy another KIA wont even take it free !

sorry 2011 Sorrento what a POS Never again

My ignition switch jammed. Key would not turn. Tried the wheel wiggling but no luck. Car towed back to dealer today, and they are going to charge me $540 to fix the goddam thing. My 2008 Optima has only 28,000 miles on it but I was told the drive train warranty covers engine and transmission only, not ignition switch or steering parts. No more Kia cars for me, period.

I have a 2009 Kia Optimal and since yesterday I have not been able to turn my ignition. I did think about wd40 but I haven't tried it yet but why should I have to. I'm having it towed to the shop. Saturn just had a recall for the same problem. Kia needs a recall.

If you purchased your Optima new in 2009 that means your 5-year bumper to bumper warranty will expire sometime this year. Hopefully you are still under warranty. Otherwise you will have to pay for the repair yourself. (Ignition switch/steering lock malfunctions are not covered by the Kia 10-year drive train warranty.) You should attempt to negotiate a low repair cost with your dealer by raising Hell with them.

The second guy who answered this question about a year ago had it right. I have a 2011 KIA optima and couldn't get the her or if the ignition after shutting her down. It's the starter. Drive around the block and revved the rpms both in great and neutral. Then it came right out. Magic.

I had that too. All you need is some good oil for key hole and possibly a hammer to knock it just a tad. Otherwise this design you have to push slightly while initially turning the key.

Also push steering wheel against it's jam into the lock while turning the key.

I just found myself with the same issue with my 2012 Sportage under 25k miles. This seems to be a problem with Kia. How do recalls start?

PB-50 OR WD40 .....Just had this happen. First time EVER and I have a 2006.5 Kia Optima with 165,000 miles on it. On my key I noticed a bluish type of sticky stuff (reminded me of gum). I used PB 50 Blaster to clean off the key and sprayed the PB 50 into the ignition. Worked like a charm. My key was in the off position and just wouldn't turn to start the car. I have not had any other problems with my Kia. I love my car. She has been through hell and back. Hope this helps!

2013 Kia Sportage 4x4, I began having issues with the key not turning in the ignition. I noticed it happened much more frequently when the weather got hotter. Has anyone else noticed this? I was left stranded in 98 degree heat. I am currently waiting for Kia to get a loaner car in so I can have mine diagnosed and repaired. Thankfully, it's under warranty, or so they say. BTW did you know Kia doesn't do diagnostics on Saturday? I found out the hard way after driving 20+ miles to the nearest store on Saturday, per their service department's directions. I'm just SO happy with Kia right now. Can anyone say recall?!!!!

######Answer, saw a demonstration on youtube that suggested that you place the key in the ignition if it is not turning, and give the key several good raps with a hammer and it will knock loose whatever is causing it to stick. I tried it and after four or five raps with the hammer it worked.#####

Kudos to bburk ... 3 raps and I was able to turn the key and start my 2009 Kia Optima. Thanks for sharing the youtube info.####

No, Kudos to me and my above answer. A mallet is actually what I used too. Also the car is gone because for a 6 cylinder it was a weak E series transmission. Never use the manumatic when possible otherwise only when going real slow or nearly the same speed as the RPM is possible for the smoothest shift for say ice or steep down hill. Burning rubber just once from the dirt side road to the cement is probably what did it the most. With long screwdriver and sound source detection (ear against the butt) if there is a whine noise, it's your differential going out. Did your driver's side sun visor break yet for only $200? The car lasted 181,000 miles, put a new catalytic in and then the tranny went selling the car for less than the cost of a catalytic. Still a brand of disposable cars

Can someone please help, my 2009 kia optima key is stuck in the ignition and the gear wont go in park or reverse. Just drive and neutral.

Sounds like the key is stuck in the middle. You going to have to pop out the cap and push the button inside with a key or screw driver next to the shifter to allow free movement of the shifter without electricity. The cap is flush with the plastic interior, use small screw driver to pop it out. Then when in park you should be able to remove the key. The key gets pushed in while turning right, pull a bit out while turning left. Hit with rubber mallet the underside to shake loose the jam from the key tumbler. Blast WD Oil or Tri-Flow oil before and after, clean with paper towels. You have to step on the brake to put the car in park to drive or drive to park, that's probably it lol

2015 kia forte here. happened to me twice, about 5 minutes ago actually, which led me here. Put the key in the ignition and jerk the wheel back and forth. And for all of you people commenting without a solution.... stop. And the guy saying to hit your key with a hammer is a moron. Do not do that.

I could move my steering wheel and my transmission was in park but the key would not turn. Called the Kia dealer and he suggested that i try using a hair dry on the switch (at the time we had had a rapid freeze and it was -10 C. It appears that mositure and the freezing weather had worked together to stop the switch from engaging. no issues since!

I bought my new 2015 Optima in September, 2015. Way too often I can't start the car because the steering wheel is locked up. I have been told about putting the brake on and pulling the wheel as hard as I can, but most of the time I can't do it without getting a man, a neighbor or someone to pull the wheel while I worked with the key. If a neighbor hadn't helped me this morning, I would have missed work. I'm afraid if my teenage girls borrow the car, they will get stuck somewhere. This is a major problem Kia needs to take care of. No more Kia for me.

2015 Kia Soul... Just happened to me this evening. Not the first time. After reading here, I put key in, foot on brake, grabbed steering wheel and started yanking it back & forth. Once I had some play in the steering wheel, I took on hand and held it all the way to the right and used other hand to turn key. It worked. Thanks for all your input....

I have a 2007 Kia Optima ex V6 with 135k on the odo. I was a Costco when my ignition switch decided to get jammed. Put key in but would not turn,just chime with the key in,nothing worked. While waiting for the tow I called to show up,I did some quick research on my smartphone and found similar issues with other Kia Optima owners. It seems that sometimes the tumblers get dry or dirty & one or more of the tumblers get stuck up or down. Most of the optima owners either used WD40 or something similar or a graphite lube for key holes.As I was being towed home, the driver & I both agreed that was most likely the problem. I went to my local parts store and bought a tube of Graphite Lube. I didn't want to spray a liquid in my ignition switch so I tried that instead. I squeezed some into the switch then some on the key. Pushed the key in & out several times and voila! It worked like a charm!! The switch "released" and the car started. For good measure,I added a bit more graphite lube and it's all good. Could' believe it worked but glad it did! My advice is try Graphite Lube 1st before the more costly alternatives,it only cost a couple of bucks at a parts store. As a side note, be sure to carefully clean the mass air flow sensor(Mafs) every time your replace your engine air filter-trust me,your optima will run like a new car!!

Hi I found my kia2008 the steering wheel gets locked while I'm in round about..the engine goes off..the steering wheel becomes hard..I need to put back in parking and research start to move again.I have disconnected battery few times.when the car gets slow near traffic or traffic lights it gets off.Any one suggest me.The dash boards shows key icomessages,battery in red.

I have a 2006 Kia Rio my key will not turn the ignition. Tried wiggling the steering wheel , making sure the car is in park and it will not do anything. Any suggestions this is frustrating?

I have a Sorento 2016 kia and the steering wheel was locked about 15 mins ago first thing I found your answers thank you all, when I went back to my car I thought if I put the parking brake on off (loose it) then give the car 2 or 3 pushes from the front then try to turn it on with the a foot on the brake and moving the steering wheel back and forth it'll work, and for my surprise it did work so 1. loose the parking brake 2. give the car few pushes from the front 3. foot on brake while moving the steering wheel back and forth 4. turn your car on And this will be the best easiest way to unlock your Kia's steering wheel!!!!!

Help!! I have a 2014 kia optima and my key is stuck in the ignition. My gear button can shift out of gears without the button being pressed..what might the issue be

Hello, this just happened to me with my 2004 Kia Spectra. I tried the WD-40, and it started right up! Thanks for the information!

I have 2011 Kia Optima. Sometimes my car start problem. displays shows steering wheel lock, after few hours above this car start 1 chance.

What happen when you try to replace it yourself and the key wont go to ACC? what other way i can remove the old cylinder? I have a 2009 Kia Optima.

I just fixed my next door neighbor's car before I go on I am a certified Master Mechanic so you can do this but please Read ALL information first before proceeding. 1. First disconnect the battery cable from the battery, this is important so that the air bag does not get blown up if there is a short in the wiring harness be sure to have the steering wheel centered if possible and the wheels are pointed straight ahead. 2. Next pull the lower kick panel below the steering wheel if you do not know where or how to do this STOP HERE. after the knee kick panel is removed remove the plastic piece that holds the data link connector to the dash, next remove the one screw that holds the a/c and heat plenum and remove it, it just pulls straight out. Next remove the single bolt from the steering knuckle above the top U-joints. Next remove the 4 bolts that hold the steering wheel in place, there are two 12mm bolts facing straight up and two at a 45 degree angle once this is done be ready to grab the steering wheel so it doesn't fall down. Next disconnect all the electrical connectors from the steering wheel there are 5 of them with the harness disconnected pull the steering wheel forward being sure that it does not hang up on anything. Now that you have the steering wheel out put a piece of card board on the ground or on a table so you wont scratch the steering wheel assembly, Now look at the key lock assembly you will see two security bolts that holds the switch to the column using a pair of vice grips remove the two bolts and remove the switch once you are at this point if you are not a mechanic take the switch to a Lock smith and he will tear it apart and clean it and get it to work, now reinstall everything and reconnect the battery back up you switch will now work. I talked to the Lock smith and he has done quite a few of these and it's just cleaning and lubing that's needed. Hope this helps and for those who want to know about recalls here is how that works, if it is not safety related it will not be put on recall, next they wont put it on a recall until 100,000 people have complained about the problem when it is still under warranty. Hope this helps those out there that can use a wrench.

I like the "be ready to grab the steering wheel so it doesn't fall down" part LOL!

Thanks just trying to avoid headaches for those inexperienced in doing this or don't know how gravity works.

Best quick fix is to pull the ignition tumbler pay close attention and disassemble it and pull all the pins then reassemble the tumbler and install back into the car and your good to go till you can purchase a new unit. Car will start with the key no problem just did it to my 11 Kia Sorento.

Wiggle your steering wheel, turn it back and forth even though it moves very little after taking your key out of the ignition and then try again starting it. :)

@jkubb88 (https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/garage/viewGarage.action?profileOwner=3528300) The guy saying to hit the key with a hammer isn't a moron. I just proved it. Although, rather than hitting it with a hammer, which can do some major, irreparable damage, I used my hand while turning the key with the other. Started! The other posts talking about cleaning and problems with tumblers out of place is likely the root cause.

I sprayed something similar to WD-40 into the keyhole after using my hand to hit the back of the key while turning with my other hand, and it's working much better now. I'd suggest trying the WD-40 approach first; then if that doesn't work you can add in some frustration relief.

nothing here is helpful. i am a locksmith. the only reason rapping with a hammer work is because the sidebar in most ignitions is stuck. im not sure if this has a sidebar i don't know about this one but i am about to tear one down and i will discover why. i think i know. one thing these cars have in common that no one has noticed is the actual key itself . hyundai and kia have about 5 or 6 key-ways. three which are high security, almost all these people with the stuck ignition have this key way. that is the common denominator. the steereing wheel jerk is not really any kind of fix for a real stuck ignition. that's a temporarily stuck ignition and not really a problem at all. the problem may lie within the wear of the key itself when it is really stuck. over time the key loses its peaks and valleys and almost becomes like a butter knife. the high security key is milled down each side and looks like a wiggly line for these cars. after a period of time going in and out the track can get worn and isn't holding the tumblers as tightly so they are no flush with the sheer line anymore when the key comes to a rest in its fully inserted position. the tumblers or wafers as we call them may also be worn. another common factor is that the other big fat heavy pile of idiot shit and keys you have dangling like a ball and chain from the ignition switch on your key chain. the mere weight is helping drag the ignition down and causing this looseness in the key fit to the ignition get rid of that bag of keys hanging from your chain. use the car keys by themselves separate from all those important pile of junk you have there . getting the key to turn one more time and then getting that switch out is the first goal. you aint going to spray magic formula inside it an cause it to work again. you need a new one or you need to disassemble this one and put new tumblers and springs in it and a new key.only an idiot would rebuild a switch and then stick an old wore out key back in it. if it is a transponder key quit trying to find a way around programming a new key. (but here's the way. if you know how (use a pipe cutting tool)you can cut the already programmed chip out and buy what's called a shell key and insert your chip in the new shell. then have the locksmith cut the new blade by code). you can also buy two types of switches, those that come ready to plug and pla, or those that come with tumbler springs etc for you to put togather to your cars code. . if you want it to match the original key then ask the dealer for the key code or the locksmith can do this for you. most locksmiths will do the whole job start to finish but if you want to save a hundred dollars or more then you can get the ignition cylinder switch out yourself. each tumbler on this vehicle has a number on it but that number is opposite of the depth indicated .for example if the first wafer has a 4 on it that depth is really a 1. this switch is held inside the housing by what is called an active retainer pin. this means you have to turn the switch to remove it by depressing the retainer pin or button through an access hole after you turn it to the on or start positions. locate the retainer pin access after you remove the clamshell or covers. now try and get it to turn one more time by tapping lightly all around the housing while trying to turn at the same time. if you have had a new key cut by code use it. be patient and walk away if you get frustrated and come back later and try again.if you cannot get it to turn at all this is what i do prior to drilling. the tumbers are probably realo close ton the shear line. so i pull the key out and cut the head off of it and reinsert it in the ignition and use a sturdy flat head screwn driver to push in partway behind it and then i put a pair of vice grips on the screwdriver that is behind the key now tapped partway in and force the ignition over. it should turn but it might not be easy, if that fails you have to carefully drill the tumblers out and do the same force technique.i have never really had the "break the key off in the ignition force method" fail.it goes against your human nature to break that key off in the ignition but do it. . i once you have the switch turned and have found the retainer access put a small allen wrench or ice pick in it until it comes to a stop. poke and push down while pulling on the ignition. when the retainer depresses it should slide right out. i posted a picture as an example, its not a kia switch but you can clearly see the tumblers sticking out of this with the key fully inserted. this is why it wont turn ad why the broken key method works. because its usually just one or two that is bent and causing the problem. that one little tunler will give when you force it with the broken key method i described.

Hey MEN......... GET A RUBBER HAMMER OR BACK OF USE A BUTTER KNIFE AND TAP THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IF ITS TOO LIGHT TAP A WEE BIT HARDER, BUT NOT TOO MUCH , YOU DONT WANT TO BREAK THE KEY.... VOILA... ****AND.....MY HUSBANDS DRIVING IT NOW!! From you local Female housewife that knows all of the tricks in the book because WE WROTE THE BOOK!! Butter knives solve EVERYTHING!! Now keep a butter knife and rubber hammer in the car or toolbox at all times!!

On my dad’s 2007/8 Optima he was able to use keys to open doors w/o issue, stick key in and out (without turning) of the ignition w/o issue but was not able able to turn the key and steering wheel was locked with the Kia symbol on wheel turned to the side a bit (assuming how he parked it). The issue was the keys. Both keys he had were worn out a bit. I called a locksmith near Columbus GA (not knowing what the problem could be). This guy from Valley Key was amazing and extremely reasonable $ and did not scam my elderly parents. Thank goodness for ppl like that! He ended up making two new keys and both successfully turned in the ignition and started the car. Yay!