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Same thing here. 2003 Dodge caravan. I finally got the key to turn, drove it to the dealer and left it for Monday when they open. I wonder if I should go get it back and just get a mallet. I did call the federal 888 phone number to complain. It is certainly unexpected that a key will not work.  

now that most people know about the hammer......

i found a fix...   seems dorman products has come up with a replacement ignition switch...
this is the 2 page PDF file with the info...  it should be available through most parts stores if you have the part number...

https://www.dormanproducts.com/documents4rb/2009ss/2900041_IgnitionCylinders.pdf


for those who just want the part number... dorman...   924-703     it also comes with new disc tumblers so you can change it to match the current keys to the car if you want to...


fits affected  98 to 2007 dodge chrysler and plymouth models..

also fits 98 to 2005 jeeps...  

My 2003 Grad Caravan key would not turn. I finally got it to turn messing with it back and forth and drove it to Dodge dealer, who looked at it and wanted $390 to replace it. They also wanted to do my brakes (which got looked at only a few weeks before  and my brake man told me they were OK), new windshield wipers, back center tail light, and stuff which would cost $1,300. They look for stuff to charge you for. I was disgusted because I know that my car didn't need all that.

I had to pay the dealer $90 which they charge to look at any car before actually working on it. I took my car back and drove it to a locksmith down the street from the dealer who charged me only $100 to replace the ignition lock. So, it did cost $190 but that was my fault in taking it to the dealer. I did save $200.  I don't know about the mallet, but the locksmith said it would eventually break the lock, so I never used it.  

another success story with the mallet/hammer trick.  we are miles and miles aways from home (live in KC, are in NC) and headed to the mountains in NC this morning .... of course it's a sunday and the key won't budge.  we're all loaded up to go to church before we head out to the mnts for the week.  everyone gets out and loads up in grandma's car to head to church and i stay back to figure out the problem.  found the solution here - tapped the end of the key with a hammer 4 or 5 times and voila.  shut it off, it wouldn't turn again but after a few more taps it did.  i just hope this works until we get  back home next weekend!  thank you.  

Just wanted to thank the people posting on this thresd regarding the sticking key and most important, the solution. After spraying the wd40 and inserting the key, I hit the key 3 times and lo and behold the key turned. It did stick again so I repeated the procedure and added a little more wd40. It's now working fine.  

Thanks everyone!   Same happened with my 2003 Grand Caravan..my husband who was a Certified Auto Mechanic- but who had worked on Chevys- could not figure it out...we were thinking, oh crap coswtly repairs and i said "let me check online."  Found this thread...told him about whacking it with a hammer or screwdriver...he thought i was a little crazy but tried it while also using the can of forced air into the switch..and voila...works now.   What a life saver and a cost saver too.   love it thanks.  

Help!!!     I am a not so proud owner of a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan.  The ignition began sticking I shimmied it for about an hour and I was able to get it to turn and start.  I have been driving it around for a little while now.  It does not turn completely off when I shut down the engine the ignition is stuck in the on position.  So now I have to unhook the battery cable so it doesnt drain.  Is there anything that can be done.  If not where can I get a replacement?  Ive been told that the ignition is chipped but theres no chip in my key.  Please someone help!!!  

Thank God that Al Gore invented the Internet.  

This fix works.  My 2002 T&C minivan lock just froze up on me when I went to drop something off at a friends.  Because it was late Saturday, I didn't get it towed.  I searched the web the next morning and found this thread.  

I went back to the van with a hammer, WD-40 and the key.  I sprayed a bunch of WD-40 in the key hole and wiggled the key and steering wheel.  Nothing.  Then I broke out the hammer.  I hammered the key into the keyhole with a couple soft taps.  Nothing.  Then I gave it a few hard wacks with the hammer and the key turned.

I since sprayed more WD-40 into the key hole and slide the key in and out a few hundred times wiping off the dirty WD-40 with a rag.

Everything works fine.  

I had same problem. Key would not turn in ignition. started occasionally, then got progressively worse. The last three months i drove around with valet key and just left the key inserted in slot. Then after a while it still would get stuck and dang near left me stranded several times.  

The quick fix is tap with a sharp blow to the key, like driving a nail in.  

A better, more entailed fix is remove the lock tumbler and oil thoroughly with light oil, WD-40 or Tri-Flo (spray oil-w/teflon). The lock set is easily removed once you remove the steering column shroud. First disconnect negative battery terminal. Then, to remove shroud, look at bottom of it and remove three phillips head screws. The lock tumbler cylinder is visable at this point and you can see a small square button on bottom. Insert key and tap with hammer or similar object so it will turn to "run" position. Then press in small square button on bottom and slide out lock tumbler cylinder set. It comes out like a small barrel. Once removed, remove key and stand it up, or hold it, vertically. Clean with spray isyproprol alcohol (also can use electronic cleaner) to remove any grime or collected dust inside key slot and tumblers and around two spring pins. Then, once that dries, spray light oil down into key slot and insert key and start working key in and out of slot and then rotating it back and forth as if you were turning ignition. You may have to tap it a few times with the hammer, but once the oil gets down in it good, it will start working again. Took me about 15 min to get mine "freed up". When re-inserting lock tumbler cylinder, insert key and press small square button and turn to "run" as you push it in. The lock tumbler cylinder should slip right in, then re-assemble the shroud and you should have a few months of trouble free operation of the lock tumbler cylinder.

If it continues to get stuck, you may then consider replacing it. You now know how to replace it, so not a big deal. If you want keys to match the doors, go to dealer with VIN # and they can order you an OEM ignition lockset that matches the door keys. Some locksmiths may be able to match also, but most likely they will also want to install it for a fee.  

As posted before by waynep712 - Replacement aftermarket by Doorman Products

https://www.dormanproducts.com/documents4rb/2009ss/2900041_IgnitionCylinders.pdf  

this is even better....   a video from dorman...  on how to remove the lock and rekey it to your key...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTad_jUyTuA

dorman products are available at almost every parts store in the country...   be sure to write down the part number... 924-703  

when you call the parts store looking for one.. say.. i need a dorman 924-703.....   that is how professional mechanics ask for parts...    gets through all the what year is it for...      oh  thats a dealer item...  crud...

be sure to check the PDF file above..  to make sure that your car fits this switch...

but.. there is one more thing that you can *** if the local store does not have it...

take it apart..   take all the tumblers out... put it back together...     the only problem..   when you make left turns .. your keys will fallout of the ignition switch...

i bet anybody with a pair of screw drivers could do it in 30 minutes... probably number 2 phillips..   but the column shroud screws might be torx..   check for the hole mentioned in the video...   might save even more time...

and yes... i did change my user name...