Nissan key stuck in ignition barrel / can’t pull key out

This blog post will delve into the common issue of your Nissan key getting stuck in the ignition barrel.

What Nissan vehicles does this issue affect?

Nissan Qashqai (J10) – 2006-2014
Nissan Note (E11) – 2006-2013
Nissan Micra (K12 facelift) – 2005-2010
Nissan NV200 (M20) – 2009-2019
Nissan X-Trail (T31) – 2007-2014

All of these vehicles are fitted with the same style of ignition barrel and use the remote pictured below:

Why does my Nissan key get jammed in the ignition?

The reason behind this is due to a hinged piece at the entrance to the keyway.

Many people believe this to be a dustcap – however, it is in fact part of your steering lock system. The part stops your steering lock from engaging until you have fully removed the key from the ignition barrel.

Over the years, constantly inserting and removing your key into and out of your ignition barrel sharpens this piece into a bladed hook. This digs into the metal of your key blade and prevents you from removing the key. See for yourself below:

The solution

The only solution is to replace the part. The ignition barrel must be removed and disassembled, the faulty part removed and a new part installed. I strongly advise you contact an experienced auto locksmith for ignition lock repairs to carry out this task. If you are within our catchment area then please do give me a call to arrange.

My Nissan key used to get stuck and now my remote doesn’t work?

Another common issue. The key was getting jammed due to the issue explained above. The key was then forcefully removed and the hinged piece has snapped and gotten trapped between the ignition facecap and the ignition cylinder. This means that the ignition cylinder cannot move back into place once the key has been removed and so the system believes there is still a key inserted into the ignition barrel and disables remote central locking.

As above the only solution is to remove and disassemble the ignition lock, remove and replace the offending part.

Nissan ignition repairs across Kent, Sussex, Surrey and South London

If your Nissan key is stuck, or your remote has stopped working after a sticking key, call me on 01732 758302 or 07776 222722, or send a WhatsApp with a photo of your key. I cover Sevenoaks and Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Westerham, Oxted and Edenbridge and the wider area shown on our coverage map.