I do recall reading about a Subaru XV owner who had the dealer replace the entire ignition switch assembly since they were having a similar issues as yours.

It's not the steering wheel interlock, is it?

 

Ignition key issue

Thanks for responding, Not the steering wheel interlock, can be on flat ground straight ahead, slightly rotate wheel no improvement, the only item that seems to help is when placing in park, push hard forward into Park position and wiggle the shifter from side to side, then key releases, seems to be in the shifter control module. Going to be in Bend Oregon tomorrow, will stop at the NW largest Subaru dealer and get an opinion, will let you know what they have to say. Bought the vehicle brand new 2015, never an issue until now at 38K miles. Trying to stay positive here with Subaru! Low mileage for a problem just out of warranty..

 

Stopped by the Dealer in Bend Oregon today, Explained problem of not being able to get the key from ACC to shut off- for removal, was told not a real common problem, but yet not un-heard of.(that right there makes me wonder?) I have narrowed it down to slightly slamming the shifter handle into park and then wiggle it side to side, key is then allowed to the lock side to be removed. Dealer commented maybe brake switch or shifter interlock. I'll let you all know what I find as solution, I certainly can't be the only one with this issue.

 

Ironically i just joined this message board because i was having the same issue and was looking for an answer.

Going to the dealership has been disastrous. Called up the first one, explained the issue said he thought it was the parking break check line, $100

Make an appointment get there the next day suddenly says they have to change other items in the gear shift $500, need to come back the next day (seemed annoying since i had already made an appointment so left went to a different dealer)

Got there, re-explaiend the problem guy said i potentially need a ignition set? $500 + new keys

Then Calls the service guy they say just go to a locksmith, and have them re-tumble (not sure the exact quote) the number for your key. And that its just out of alignment in there.

haven't found a locksmith who does that yet, going to try my other buddies idea and get some like WD-40 for lock (they supposedly sell it at any lock smith) and see if its just something sticking.

Always same issue my crosstrek is a 2013 with 85kmiles

 

If you spray wd40, spray the KEY. NOT the ignition tumbler! Wd40 is conductivenand younrisk shorting A LOT of things in that area.

 

Hello Kasim, I have found with mine, If I gently shift into park, Key won't go from ACC to LOCK, therefore can't remove key. If I shift to N position first, then pull on the shifter towards me (to the left) while at the same time shift hard into park, Key comes out every-time. Just living with it for now. May upgrade to a 2018. I believe my problem here is in the Shift Interlock solenoid Module. It gets a power signal from the brake light switch, to allow shifter to be put into and out of Park position. When shifter is put into park, the Interlock Module sends power to ignition switch to allow it into the off position and lock steering wheel. Seems there are alot of issues with this interlock solenoid on other vehicle brands also. Google and research Shift Interlock Solenoid, If i get mine fixed will let everyone know what cause was. Have a good Day!! Just to mention once again, if I can get the switch into the OFF position key comes out with no problem, my issue is cannot get switch past the ACC to OFF position without having to slam the shifter into park. I have heard there is an adjustment in the shift module, involving this solenoid, but can't find info to verify this yet.

 

Hello Kasim, I have found with mine, If I gently shift into park, Key won't go from ACC to LOCK, therefore can't remove key....

Hmm If its just that i believe its only $100 fix, at least from talkilng to 2 dealers.

But neither thought that was the problem with my car though.

 

Just started to have this same problem. Did a search and found this nice walk through on how to by pass the problem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCzKdvQcIc0

going to try this weekend and will let you know how it works for me.

 

Just started to have this same problem. Did a search and found this nice walk through on how to by pass the problem.

going to try this weekend and will let you know how it works for me.

Tried to watch this video but it says "Video unavailable This video is private. " Oh well.

 

Oh dang I forgot to post the update.

I bet that youtube video will work

I took it to the 3rd dealer in town; and yeah they basically told me there was some computer module that was defective, $600 to replace/etc

But he just disconnected something (basically it was a module that prevents you from turning off the car while driving)

Anyways when it happened they went back disconnected and did it all for free. But ever since then haven't had the problem at all.

 

Yes. I have the same problem. The dealer told me how to solve the problem without tools.
While in park, take the shifter knob and press the button four times. Then try to turn the key to remove it. It will come out with no problem. I have had this problem and the dealer said to do this whenever the key is stuck. The dealer was supposed to fix a piece in the steering column, but I forgot about this and had no problems with my key getting stuck.

See if this works for anyone.

 

me, too. ‘16 crosstrek. key won’t turn from acc to off. wiggling shifter in and out of park eventually works, so far. seems like a switch for sensing park on the shifter isn’t doing its thing reliably, so it either needs adjustment, cleaning, or replacement.

i’ll check with dealer and/or subaru specialty garage.

 

I recently began noticing this situation occasionally too on my '16 Trek. I'll get to my destination (or back home in the garage) and can't get the key to turn counterclockwise that final step to finally remove the key. I eventually do always manage to get it resolved but was getting worried what I'd do if it ever got really stuck and I couldn't shut the car off somewhere.

Going out to the garage just now when I could just play with it, it seemed to get stuck for me again. I figured out that just gently pushing the key inward just a little bit more it felt like there's a spring mechanism inside with about 1/8" of play. Pushing the key inward to the steering column freed it up for removal. I'll try this again next time it happens to me unexpectedly. Hopefully that's all it is.

 

Posted a pdf file with a permanent work around fix in this thread:

2016 Crosstrek Limited intermittent ignition key sticks...

It involves disconnecting a connector in the steering column. A five minute job.