I have a 2009 RX 350. 3 years ago I had to replace the key assembly -- my key would not turn. Everyone tried getting it to release by yanking the steering wheel at the same time as turning the key. They tried rocking the car. Didn't work. I tried graphite and that didn't work. Nothing we tried worked. So I installed a whole new key assembly to the tune of $500+. Now 3 years later it has happened again!! This time the price has gone up to $760. This is not right. Lexus will not budge on their 12 month warranty. My car has less than 150k miles on it. Any suggestions??

 

Here's some guy on youtube who used a screwdriver and a hammer to "fix" his problem.

 

Welcome to club lexus and your first post & thread!
I would love to know if spenillib's video works in case this ever happens to me, not an easy job to replace ignition and then the new key won't fit the doors, kinda a big mess.

Can't believe it happened to you twice.
What's your theory on why it happening?

 

I would be scared to hammer a screwdriver into the key slot, which is what I am assuming that the guy in the video did. You could damage the key guide. I wish the guy had done a close-up of where he placed the screwdriver.

 

This is probably not the cause of her issue, but...but...
it's been told to me that having a large and heavy keyring can put a lot of stress in the ignition.

Bunch of keys, a key fob, a rabbit's foot, mace, a flashlight, etc., and you have 2 pounds of junk dangling from your ignition.

 

My key ring as well as my wife's only have a few keys.....No reason to have all that stuff on one key ring.

 

I have no idea on why it is happening! I wish I did. I have only one other key on the key chain to weight is not an issue. I have had some other strange repairs on this car that I feel shouldn't have happened with the mileage it has on it. I didn't get to try the hammer since it had already been towed to the repair shop but I would have!! Thanks for all the suggestions and feedback!