Can't Turn Key in the Ignition Switch OFTEN---

Have you tried going from Park to Neutral a few times to see if it's the shifter that's locking up the ignition?

I will try that as soon as I get into the car next-- in an hour or so. I'll post back if that did anything. Please stay tuned... I appreciate your speedy reply!!! :)

If key is able to come out of the ignition, I have found that sometimes if you just flip it over and reinsert it, that will do the trick sometimes. My truck key is like that.

Thanks for your speedy reply. Tried that also. Didn't work. Appreciate your trying to help!

your beetle is 5 years old- so you will have to do some repairs- don't hate that car just because it needs some fixin'- those are really nice cars, and if you like it, that counts for a lot- find a GOOD mechanic in a GOOD garage and have that ignition switch checked out- it could be a worn key, too- any used car has an unknown previous life, and hopefully, yours will be worth puttin' some money into- so many cars have NOTHING going for them, and people pour money into them anyway-

You purchased this a month ago? Did you purchase from a new car dealer? Was this supposed to be a certified used car? And, if so, it should have come with a warranty of some kind? Or, maybe you purchased it as is from a private party? Where did you purchase your car? I'm sorry to tell you, I had two VWs and they were maintenance nightmares. Yes, these cars are cute, but, you can't drive cute. Take your car to an independent garage that specializes in German cars or VWs. Good luck. It's all Asian cars for me now. .

By the way, if it was a certified car, it would have been on the outside edge of that distinction. Certified cars are no more than 5 years old and less than 80,000 miles unless it's a Porsche.

Thanks Mark! By the way, I believe that VW's are "maintenance nightmares" from this experience, a friend's personal experience, and postings online. My question to you is this--- WHY do so many people still swear by VW's and insist that they are wonderful cars to buy??? Yes, they are the CUTEST little car made. That is a fact, but as you said, "you can't drive cute". Correction-- you CAN drive "cute", but you will have lots of aggravation, and money spent because you insist on driving "cute"!!!

Thanks Mark! No more VW's for me EVER!!! I've learned my lesson the hard way. I appreciate your honest sharing... Have a great weekend. :-)

Sounds like you got a bunch of fanatics preaching to the chore. or how ever it goes. Hi i am a vw specialist and i know a many of your issues. The reason your key is not turning is because after a certain amount of time the lock pin starts to get loose and makes the ignitions hard to turn after its been put into lock position. My 2012 jetta has the same issue but because i bought mine under a vw dealership it is covered for replacement free under warranty. As for getting the lock to release a bit easier til its replaced just do what i do. If your car has rolled and put weight on the left or right of the steering lock. Find the sweet spot in the middle between hard points while holding the key forward lightly and it pops past the lock easy. Unfortunately the only fix is replacement of the ignition unit which requires all your keys to be recoded to the new ignition unit. This is a known and common issue with all audi's and vw cars and don't be surprised when i say this is a common issue with many other car types as well such as gm cars and ford even dodges will develop this issue. These issues only get worse with each new generation because the car company's want to make more for less which results in shoty parts and poor reliability. Out of all the cars out there tho every car has its own equal amount of frustration with repairs. Its all just luck on what you buy these days and how well its been treated before you bought the vehicle. The main reason for this happening tho is from the car applying weight on the steering lock while the car is parked. This is why the vw dealer always recommends you pull your emergency brake up every time you park this way the car will not imply its weight on your steering lock and cause it to do this after a period of time.

Look, I had a '98 New Beetle for a number of years- it was a stylish car in an age of look-alikes- the car seemed to be solid mechanically- and it was great to have this thing as a part of my life- but the important thing about this car was that I gave it to my daughter to go to college- and she was hit in it, rear ended at a light, and it saved her life- hit so hard that she was smashed into the SUV in front of her- the people in the SUV went to the hospital- the bumpers in the Beetle just popped back out, only the lights were smashed! I have never seen anything like it! After insurance fixed it (to reset the bumpers) she was hit again a year later, in the side, when a driver ran a red light- again, she emerged unscathed, but this time, the little red beetle was totaled- look, if you want to talk about worthless cars, talk about Audis, Saabs, or Dodge Pickups- these New Beetles are good cars-

So glad to hear that your daughter was fine!

I'm having the problem right now. 6-18- 2016 The steering wheel was not locked and the key wouldn't turn. In getting help they locked the wheel . I'm using a new Key because the key I got with my used 2010 Beetle broken due to trying to get it to turn. Im looking for help. 2013 or 14 I paid $600.to have that problem fixed. It's not fixed, I can't turn the wheel nor the key help. I missed an important engagement today due to not getting there. Help

you have to get the ignition unit replaced to fix the problem. Its a very common issue with all the vw's from 2010 and up. I have a 2012 jetta that already had the ignition replaced twice. In the mean time the best way to get the key to turn is put the key in the ignition and jiggle it while trying to turn it forward and rocking the steering wheel back and forth till it finds the sweet spot.

Thanks. Is that what they changed when I was charged $600? The ignition unit

depends ... where did you go to get the work done? vw would have replaced the ignition unit. if it was a joe blow garage god knows what they did

They death Jan, I did have it fixed at the dealership. But listen, I almost had good news. I jiggled and tried the key today. I got the car to turn on. Then thought now what? All i thought was to be sure the tires were straight. Turned it off. Tried to turn it back on, couldn't get the key to turn. Later I thought I should have backed into my parking space cause now I'm pulled in. The end

lol yea. Well i can tell you the dealership did not fix the car right if the key is still loose and won't turn then you have a right to take the car back to them with your reciet and complain directly to the service department manager. Tell him that you paid over 600$ for a useless fix that did nothing. tell him you will head right over to the news station and tell them exactly how vw handles their business if he refuses to do the work for free and properly this time before you head to see your lawyer to file a lawsuit against deceitful service or something along those lines. This usually will get them to hop on there feet and do something properly. i would also have them replace the entire ignition unit this time which includes the part the key goes into, The main ignition housing, and the ignition switch at the back. Be specific and if they don't replace the parts for free this time because of their screw up on their so called repair job then you will be forced to just take the car to your lawyer as proof that they ripped you off. You might even be able to get your money back if your firm enough with them and look genuinely angry which I'm sure you are:P. and i should know i had them look up my warrenty information a few weeks ago and they have payed for over 9000$ worth of repairs to my car in a single year i have owned it :P lemon this baby she was !! Any ways the main reason you can't get the key to turn is due to the looseness of the main key body. It no longer lines up with the safety switch that locks the steering wheel. This is why jiggling the steering wheel and key at the same time makes it easier to turn the key when it is in this kinda shape. I experienced this myself in my 2012 jetta till eventually it just got to be to much of a hassle every single day.

There is interlock between the ignition and transmission. If the locking mechanism is slightly misaligned then the kew will not turn. Try raising or lowering the steering wheel and telescoping it in or out (same lever to raise or lower steering wheel allows it to telescope). This will move the cable and locking mechanism. Also try pushing the button on the gear shifter while turning the key. Good Luck and let me know if this works

How about squirting a little graphite in there too loosen things up a little. That's all it took on mine.

I have come to Portugal with my Polo and whenever it is parked in the hot sun for a while it will not start, key won't budge and steering wheel locked too. So now I leave windows open a little and have reflective window covers and find shade (not always possible)! It is definitely the heat because when I leave all the doors open and come back after some time it will start! I had a TT before with endless technical door locking etc problems which nobody could resolve.

Spry some WD 40 inside the ignition switch, and then rest 30 seconds before trying again. Works like a charm.

What if you have some people push or rock the car back and forth as you try to turn the key. This may take the tension off the steering lock at just the right time to turn the key.

WD 40 is the answer. Spray it in the keyhole and start the car! It’s just old and slightly stuck!