Key is stuck shiftr doesnt lock in to release it

Ignition Lock Cylinder Control Actuator
If the vehicle is equipped with a floor mounted console gear shifter, it has a ignition lock cylinder control actuator system in the steering column as an added safety feature. The ignition lock cylinder control actuators purpose is to prevent the steering wheel from being locked when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle may still be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of a ignition lock cylinder control acutator, and a park position switch that is located in the A/T shift lock control switch. The ignition lock cylinder control acutator contains a pin that is spring loaded out to mechanically prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the lock position when vehicle transmission is not in the Park position. If vehicle power is lost, and/or the transmission is not in the Park position the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column. GM has had some problems with this , If you have the console shifter there is a micro switch that when put into park a linkage pushes on this micro switch closing the circuit to ignition lock cylinder control actuator allowing you to remove your key ! These linkages fall out causing this problem ,an have electrical wiring problems as well ! I fixed a 2006 Chevy cobalt that had this same problem by getting a used shifter assembly at the auto salvage year ! cost $20.00 . There mite be a access hole under the bottom of the steering column with a release button up inside !

Does it go into the lock position ? Will the shifter go into the park position ? Is it a automatic transmission ?
Electronic Park Lock (EPL)/Ignition Lock Cylinder Control Actuator: If the vehicle is equipped with automatic transmission and a floor mounted console gear shift, it has an ignition lock cylinder control actuator system in the steering column. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator purpose is to prevent the ignition key from being turned to the OFF position when the transmission is in any position other than PARK and the vehicle may still be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of an ignition lock cylinder control actuator, and a park position switch that is located in the automatic transmission shift lock control switch. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator contains a pin that is spring loaded to mechanically prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the lock position when the vehicle transmission is not in the PARK position. If vehicle power is lost, and/or the transmission is not in the PARK position the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column.
There should be a hole in the bottom of plastic steering cover or a rubber cover that comes out . you can stick your finger up there an there is a button you push that will allow you to take out the key !
2006 chevy cobalt How to fix key being stuck in the ignition 2006 Impala shifter problems

is it stuck in and on or just won't come out even when in the lock poisition? my wife's 98 Saturn did this and it was just the lock it's self needing replaced.

Have you tried shifting the gears completely through and then putting the car in park. It sounds like the car isn't able to be put completely in park to release the key. Try putting the car in N and removing the key. Even thought the car may not completely be in park to release the key, The gear most likely is in park but not enough to make the switch/sensor to release.

Push gear selector up past park and it should loosen up, or press hard on the brake pedal. Shifter up past park usually loosens it up. Common GM problem.

try playing with shifter. move from park to low rapidly and push to park with some force. try this a few times. the shifter sends a signal to a lock actuator to allow your ignition to release key. if that doesnt work remove your steering wheel lower cover. usually acces 2-3 screws from underneath cover. u will see what looks like a gold pushbutton located near lock cylinder u may be able to get key released by manually actuating that solenoid

The battery needs a full charged to have the ignition keys pulled out. The other thing to that can cause the Ignition keys not to release.

In the Cobalt the problem is that there is a small bar in the shifter that is supposed to hit a micro switch and that bar can came out of place.
It will not hitting that micro switch to allow the ignition to release the key when the car is in park.
What to do is tear the center council apart and pull the whole shift mechanism out and reposition the bar and put it all back together. Yes it's a pain and time consuming
Good luck and hope this helps, and be careful not to damage the ignition lock, you could damage the wires in the ignition lock for the anti theft.

the cobalt has a small flap under neath the steering wheel just remove it put your finger in it and push it while you remove your key

Does anyone know what the recalled part is for the Chevy Cobalt that causes the key to get stuck in the ignition? I would greatly appreciate any help on this as I do not have $600 to get it fixed.

Went thru this with the neighbor. At the 6:00 position under the column is a plastic panel. Remove it with small screwdriver. Using index finger , press on white plastic button. This releases switch and allows you to remove key. Replace plastic panel.