Bad timing! Last Wednesday when I pulled into my drive way and tried to remove the key, it would not budge. It was stuck in position 2 where the radio stays on. We tried putting it in neutral then to drive, but the key would not remove. It was very bad timing, since we cannot take it to the dealership until Monday. We had to remove the fuse from the battery, so it wouldn't drain. Any idea what could be wrong?

 

could be a locked steering wheel?

 

this happened to me. i had my battery drain so low that the motor in the ignition switch wouldnt let the key out. you can turn the switch but just cant take the key out.

if this was your problem i solved it by buying a new battery.

 

The shifter boot may be caught in the shifter assembly mechanism not allowing the lever to return fully into Park.

 

Same problem hereon my 2003 LT. I was told by the dealership yesterday that this is a symptom of the "shift assembly" going bad and/or that a component called a "shift interlock solenoid switch" needs to be replaced.

Huge pain in the *** this problem is. I am however able to remove the key from the ignition if I start the vehicle, and switch between gears while shaking the shift handle, I assume this is shaking something back into position, this does take a few tries as well, but released for me after no more than 5 mins on 2 occasions now.

 

For my 2003 late last week, the key problem had developed into the transmission slipping. This fix was a simple as the vehicle being low on transmission fluid. As soon as I replaced the missing fluid, there was an instant difference (ie. I was able to remove my key finally!!!). I have driven the hell out of it since and have had no issues what so ever. I hope this helps someone down the road, gotta love the $4.00 fix!!!!!