Key Won't Turn In The Ignition

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$500
Average Mileage:
113,400 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. replaced ignition lock cylinder (2 reports)
2002 Pontiac Grand Am accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2002 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments

problem #6

Apr 072014

Grand Am SE 2.2L 4 cyl ?

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The key just sticks and you can't start the car, unless you jiggle the stupid key, like 10 times. Major pain.

- DeAnn B., Olive Branch, MS, US

problem #5

Jun 052012

Grand Am SE 2.2L Ecotech

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,196 miles

One day in the oil patch, I walked out to my car and sat down and attempted to turn the key in the ignition. The key wouldn't budge. I had gotten new keys cut recently so that wasn't the problem this time. I called a taxi and sat on a bench and ate the better part of a container of those cinnamon mints that are so yummy, while fantasizing about various violent things I might like to do to the car. But my taxi driver was so nice I was thinking about watching Spongebob when I got home. Anyway, I couldn't go home yet. I went to the dealership and got a new ignition switch keyed to the car's VIN. I took a taxi back to work and took out the car's dash and removed the old ignition switch. I found that one of the harnesses wouldn't even fit into the ignition switch I'd been given, because the harness end was square and the hole in my new switch was triangular. So I filed off the harness into the shape of a triangle and stuck it in its hole because by this time I just wanted to go home and eat ice cream sandwiches. I put everything back together. The red "Security" light started flashing when I first turned the key, so I just left it in the key on, engine off position for 15 minutes or so (see other complaints under electrical section for more detail on this separate issue) and then the car started up. So I drove home and ate a lot of ice cream sandwiches and watched Spongebob Squarepants.

- darth tater, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada

problem #4

Jan 192011

Grand Am SE 4.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 187,000 miles

It's always nice to be stuck at work because your fliippin key wont turn what the crap. I'm going to get it fix this week i dont have a clue what its going to cost but between the blinker tick and the power window sounding like a sick cow and the check eng light on all the time ooooh ya and the brake lights working when they want to i'd be bettter off investing in a horse to ride to work at least i know id get there

- Olivia B., Mayfield, KY, US

problem #3

Sep 062007

(reported on)

Grand Am 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Thankfully... this only broke on me 2 days after buying the car. I guess that should have been a sign there that the car was going to be a POS. It broke on me while at the dealership having it detailed since it was purchased on a weekend when none of the detailers were working. Another GREAT Pontiac dealership trait. Don't have your detailers work on the weekends.... yea since that's the biggest sell time is weekends. Dumb A**es. Anyways I got in my car to start it so I could park it for the people and my key wouldn't turn. I made sure it was in park and everything. Then when I tried to exit the car lock it and start over thinking it was a security problem the key wouldn't even come out. The dealership THANKFULLY had a 30 day warranty on it and replaced the entire ignition switch and everything. I got a new set of keys and all. I haven't had a problem with it (yet). I however wish I had seen this as a sign and requested a new car. But I was dumb and didn't. I have since dropped more in the car than I put on the down payment. How sad is that???? I haven't even owned it a year and have had over $2,000 bucks in work done on it. So freaking ridiculous. I swear that GM will NEVER get mine or my husbands business AGAIN!!! Nor any family members if I have a say in it.

- Leah R., Newport News, VA, US

problem #2

Jan 152007

(reported on)

Grand Am GT 3.4 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

My key sometime will not turn when I put it in the ignition. It's like it's locked or something. I really have to force it sometimes to get it moved. No recalls, but throughout the internet it seems like this is a recurring problem.

- Tifany B., Point Marion, PA, US

problem #1

Aug 022003

(reported on)

Grand Am GT

  • 14,000 miles

Ignition keys will not turn in ignition, car will start remotely but key will still not let you drive the car. Steering wheel is not locked into position, will turn. No problems until this. Anybody have any ideas?

- lazy, Canton, OH, US

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