Why your Toyota key won’t turn in the ignition and how to fix it

So, you’re sitting in your Toyota, but your key won’t turn in the ignition. What’s the deal? (Stuff like this always happens when you’re running late too, right?) Before you freak out too much, check out these potential reasons why your Toyota key isn’t working and what you can do to fix it.

You may also like: Why your Toyota Push Button Start isn’t working

4 Reasons why your Toyota key isn’t turning and what to do about it

1. You’re in the wrong car. Before trying anything else, make sure you are sitting in the correct vehicle. Do you recognize the contents of the back seat? Is that where you actually parked? If not, get out and find your car.
2. Your steering wheel is locked. Perhaps you accidentally bumped your steering wheel when exiting your Toyota and it locked. If that’s the case, you can try moving your steering wheel rapidly from side to side while turning your key in the ignition.
3. Your key is worn or damaged. If neither of the aforementioned fixes worked, then it’s possible your key is too worn or damaged to be recognized by the vehicle. Take a look at it. Does it look at little off? If so, visit your local Toyota dealership (via cab, Uber, or bus).
4. There’s a problem with your ignition switch. If you’re in the right car, your steering wheel is turning fine, and nothing is wrong with your key, then it’s possible there’s a bigger issue with your vehicle’s ignition switch. In that case, get in touch with your local Toyota dealer to explore your options.

Read more: Can you use your phone while driving in California?

We hope this has helped you determine why your Toyota key isn’t working and got you on the right track toward turning on your vehicle. If you have any questions or concerns, we invite you to contact our team at Toyota Vacaville or reach out to your local Toyota dealer.