1997 Subaru Impreza Key stuck in ignition

This seems to be common in the subarus. It sounds like your shifter mechanism is damaged. The shift interlock is not working, and will require a trip to the dealer, or a really good shop. The shifter will need to be disassembled, and there is a chance of deploying the airbag if not done correctly and the shifter is on the column, so please have it checked out by a professional. You can be seriously hurt in an airbag deployment.

I just bought a used 1999 Subaru Impreza L awd and the second week into my ownership the same situation is happening as well.

Youre going to need a phillips and flathead screwdriver.

You will need to take the lower steering column cover off which is secured by 3 phillips head screws.

Once undercovered there is a manual release that you press with a flathead while you attempt to take the key out.

This is a temporary fix because I still need to do this everytime I go to take the key out. I dont plan on making this a ritual everytime I park. For now I have the steering column cover off and flathead on head.

If I find a permanent fix I will update.