StartingUrgency: Monitor

Key is stiff to turn or gets stuck in the ignition: causes and the faults that trigger it

6 documented faults cause it in 6 cars. The most important:

Medium severity: Key that sticks in the start position (1.5 dCi, Logan MCV 2017-2018) · Dacia Logan II
Low severity: Premature wear of the ignition lock · Jeep Grand Cherokee WK
Low severity: Electrical faults: bulbs, immobiliser and battery · Mitsubishi Colt VI

What it means

The key turns with difficulty in the ignition lock, catches or gets stuck when you try to start the car or remove it. It is usually caused by wear on the lock cylinder or on the key itself, and can be made worse by heavily loaded key rings.

General explanation from MotorFiable. How it shows up in each engine, with sources, is in the list of faults.

What to do now

Monitor

Do not force the key, to avoid breaking it inside. Try the spare key and ask a garage to check the lock cylinder; it is a part that can be replaced.

Reviewed on 30 October 20266 sources How we work

Faults that cause it

Suspension, brake, electronics and other faults on specific cars, from most to least important.

- Medium severityFrequency: RareDacia Logan IIKey that sticks in the start position (1.5 dCi, Logan MCV 2017-2018)The key gets stuck in the start position.
Source for the symptom in the Dacia Logan II^[1]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalJeep Grand Cherokee WKPremature wear of the ignition lockThe key turns with difficulty or gets stuck in the ignition ("hakelige und klemmende Zündschlösser").
Source for the symptom in the Jeep Grand Cherokee WK^[2]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi Colt VIElectrical faults: bulbs, immobiliser and batteryImmobiliser faults that prevent starting.
Source for the symptom in the Mitsubishi Colt VI^[3]
- Medium severityFrequency: RareNissan Micra IVStart button that stays pressed (2015 recall)The start button stays pressed in and does not return to its position after the engine starts.
Source for the symptom in the Nissan Micra IV^[4]
- Medium severityFrequency: RareNissan Note IIStart button that stays pressed in (2015 recall)The start button stays down and does not return to its position after starting.
Source for the symptom in the Nissan Note II^[5]
- Low severityFrequency: RareVolkswagen Tiguan IIgnition lock that jamsThe key is hard to turn in the ignition or gets stuck.
Source for the symptom in the Volkswagen Tiguan I^[6]

Other symptoms: starting

Hard starting or engine will not startUrgency: Garage soon62 faults cause it in 51 engines

All symptoms

Has this happened to you? Tell us which fault it was, at how many kilometres and how much you paid: it helps other owners know what to expect. Report your fault.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Dacia Logan MCV (2017-2018): key stuck in start position (Safety Gate 4/2021)car-recalls.eu · Official body · consulted 30 October 2026
Grand Cherokee III: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 24 June 2016 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Mitsubishi Colt VI Z30 2004-2012 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
Nissan Micra (2013-2015): llamada a revisión del pulsador de arranque, alerta Safety Gate A12/0850/15car-recalls.eu (EU Safety Gate) · Official body · published 10 July 2015 · consulted 30 October 2026
Nissan Note recallscar-recalls.eu (EU Safety Gate) · Official body · consulted 29 October 2026
VW Tiguan: Schwachstellen, Mängel, ProblemeAuto Bild · Reliability study · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German