Every time I put the car in park the key gets stuck in the ignition

2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
54,770 MILES
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CAITLIN CUSHING
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I’ll hear a click, usually, which means the key has been released from ignition but this is happening more frequently and for longer periods of time.
Sep 26, 2019 at 11:09 PM
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KASEKENNY
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Hi,

I would suggest checking your gear shift button to see if it is getting stuck when you shift to park. If this button does not release when you shift to park then the BCM does not allow the key to release because it doesn't know that you are locked in park. If that button is pressed then you can shift out of park inadvertently.

Here are a couple home made videos of people who have discovered this:

https://youtu.be/FXeOK7k4HCU

https://youtu.be/tXJfJwcWhf0

The actual repair would be to replace this shifter assembly because they don't have many parts that would repair this issue.

Let me know if you have questions.
Sep 27, 2019 at 3:10 PM
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CAITLIN CUSHING
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The button on the shifter does get stuck. I looked up a video for my exact vehicle and found a way to pop open the gear shift to expose the button in question. I pop it out and then I can get the key in the ignition to get it out.
Sep 27, 2019 at 4:19 PM
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KASEKENNY
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Okay. Great. At least we know what it is. One of the video I attached earlier showed someone trimming the plastic around the button as it appears it is getting hung up on it.

If yours doesn't do it all the time then you may want to just pop the button out whenever it does it. If it starts doing it more then you may want to take action.

Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks
Sep 27, 2019 at 6:23 PM
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CAITLIN CUSHING
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I will. Thanks for your help.
Sep 27, 2019 at 8:49 PM
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KASEKENNY
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Thanks for using 2CarPros. Post results and what you did to fix it whenever you get it worked out. Let us know if you have other questions.
Sep 28, 2019 at 12:20 PM