Last updated: February 2026
Ignition repair in Stuart, FL runs $95 to $395 depending on whether we're rekeying the cylinder, extracting a broken key, or doing a full ignition replacement. Most jobs take 45 to 90 minutes, and Stuart Locksmiths completes the majority of them right where your car is sitting, whether that's a parking lot off Kanner Highway, your driveway in Rio, or a side street near the Stuart causeway.
Your ignition is failing for one of a few reasons: the cylinder wears out over years of use, a key breaks off inside, or the wafers inside the lock get so gummed up from Florida humidity and salt air that the key won't turn anymore. Sometimes it's a full electrical failure, sometimes it's purely mechanical. We diagnose it first before recommending anything.
Stuart Locksmiths has handled over 1,400 automotive ignition calls across Martin County since we started. We're fully licensed and insured in Florida, and our technicians carry the programming equipment to handle modern transponder-equipped ignitions without a dealership visit.
Why Ignitions Fail in Stuart's Climate
Stuart sits right on the St. Lucie River, and that coastal humidity is genuinely brutal on ignition cylinders. Salt air accelerates corrosion inside the lock mechanism faster than you'd see in an inland city. We pull ignition cylinders out of vehicles around here and the internal wafers look like they've been through a decade more use than the car actually has.
Florida heat compounds it. Vehicles parked outside on US-1, at Treasure Coast Square, or anywhere without shade bake for 8 to 10 hours a day. Plastic components around the ignition shrink and expand constantly. Keys wear faster. The cylinder tolerances tighten up. One day it turns fine, the next morning it won't budge.
There's also the issue of duplicate keys cut at hardware stores. An imprecise key copy can slowly damage the ignition wafers over thousands of insertions. By the time the driver notices resistance, the cylinder is already compromised. This is actually the most common cause we see in vehicles under 80,000 miles here in Stuart.
Ignition Repair vs. Replacement: What You Actually Need
Most locksmiths will tell you the ignition needs to be replaced. Half the time, they're wrong. A rekey or cylinder rebuild costs significantly less, and if the electrical components are intact, there's no reason to swap the whole unit.
Here's how we actually think about it. If the key turns but the car won't start, that's probably an electrical or transponder issue, not a mechanical one. If the key won't turn at all, that's the cylinder. If the key is stuck or broke off inside, that's an extraction job first, then we evaluate from there. Diagnosis takes about 10 minutes and it's always the first thing we do.
| Service Type | Typical Cost | Time on Site | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ignition Rekey | $95 - $145 | 30-45 min | Lost keys, security concerns |
| Broken Key Extraction | $65 - $110 | 20-45 min | Key snapped in cylinder |
| Cylinder Repair/Rebuild | $120 - $195 | 45-75 min | Worn wafers, key won't turn |
| Full Ignition Replacement | $225 - $395 | 60-90 min | Complete failure, damaged housing |
For context, a dealership replacement on the same vehicle typically runs $400 to $850 and requires towing. We come to you. Big difference when you're stuck in a parking garage off Monterey Road at 6pm.
Ignition problems account for roughly 14% of all automotive locksmith calls nationally, and that figure is higher in coastal markets like Stuart due to corrosion rates. (Source: Associated Locksmiths of America, ALOA Industry Report)
Our Ignition Repair Process
- Call us and describe the symptoms. Tell us exactly what's happening: key stuck, won't turn, won't start, something broke off. This helps us load the right parts before we arrive. That saves 20 to 30 minutes on site.
- We arrive, typically within 25 minutes. Stuart Locksmiths dispatches from a central location in Martin County. Whether you're near the Stuart Heritage Museum, out on Palm Beach Road, or over in Hobe Sound, we're moving fast.
- On-site diagnosis. We check the cylinder mechanically, test the ignition switch electrically, and verify the transponder signal if your vehicle has one. No guessing, no upselling repairs you don't need.
- We do the work right there. Rekey, extraction, rebuild, or replacement, almost every ignition job we do is completed mobile. No tow truck required.
- Test and verify everything before we leave. We start the vehicle, confirm the new or repaired cylinder works with all your keys, and check that any programming is holding. You drive away. Done.
Vehicles We Service
We work on domestic and foreign makes. Common ignition jobs in Stuart involve older Honda Civics and Accords (the cylinder wear on high-mileage Hondas is notorious), Toyota Camrys and RAV4s, Ford F-150s, Jeep Wranglers, and GM trucks. Luxury vehicles including BMW and Mercedes require specialized programming equipment, which we carry.
If you drive a newer vehicle with a push-button start, the ignition "failure" is usually a key fob or transponder issue rather than a mechanical cylinder problem. Check out our Key Fob Programming & Replacement page if that sounds like your situation. For vehicles where the key itself is the problem, our Transponder Key Programming service covers the electronic side.
Got a broken key stuck in the cylinder? That's a separate first step. See our Broken Key Extraction service for details on that process before an ignition repair becomes necessary.
Why Choose Stuart Locksmiths for Ignition Work
Plenty of general mechanics in Stuart will tell you they can replace an ignition. They can swap the part. What they can't do is rekey it to your existing key, program a new transponder key to the replacement cylinder, or extract a broken key without damaging the housing. Those are locksmith skills, not mechanic skills.
Here's what separates us specifically. Stuart Locksmiths has been serving Martin County long enough to know that vehicles parked near the St. Lucie Inlet corrode faster than ones parked inland. We stock parts accordingly. We carry cylinders for the top 30 vehicle makes most commonly registered in Martin County, so we're not ordering parts after arriving.
We're also honest about what the job actually requires. If a rekey fixes your problem, we won't push a $350 replacement. Our repeat customer rate in Stuart is high because people remember that we didn't oversell them the first time.
Our Automotive Locksmith services cover everything from ignition to car lockouts. And if you need help with other types of lock issues around the house while we're in the area, our Residential Locksmith team can often schedule same-day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my ignition cylinder needs to be replaced or just repaired?
If the key inserts but won't turn, it's usually a cylinder issue that can often be rebuilt rather than fully replaced. If the key turns but nothing happens electrically, that's the ignition switch, which is a different part. If something physically broke inside or the housing is cracked, replacement is the right call. We diagnose this in about 10 minutes on arrival.
Can you repair my ignition without towing my car?
Yes. Stuart Locksmiths does the vast majority of ignition repairs mobile, right where your vehicle is parked. We bring the tools, the parts, and the programming equipment to you. Towing is only necessary in very rare cases involving severe electrical damage beyond the ignition itself.
How long does ignition repair take in Stuart?
A rekey takes 30 to 45 minutes. A cylinder rebuild runs 45 to 75 minutes. A full replacement with programming typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. We give you a realistic time estimate when you call, not a guess.
My key is stuck in the ignition and I can't get it out. What should I do?
Don't force it. Forcing a stuck key in a damaged cylinder almost always makes the extraction harder and can break the key off inside. Call us. We have extraction tools that remove stuck keys without damaging the cylinder, and most stuck-key calls in Stuart are resolved in under 30 minutes.
Will a replaced ignition work with my existing car key?
It depends on how we replace it. If we rekey the new cylinder to match your existing key, yes. If we install a replacement cylinder and rekey it on site, you keep using your current key. If your vehicle requires transponder programming, we handle that too so the new cylinder works with your programmed key.
Is ignition repair cheaper than going to a dealership in Stuart?
Almost always, yes. Dealerships in the Stuart area typically charge $400 to $850 for ignition replacement, and that doesn't include the tow to get your vehicle there. Stuart Locksmiths charges $95 to $395 depending on the service type, comes to your location, and completes the work on site. On a full replacement, you're often saving $200 to $450 plus a tow bill.
My ignition turns but the car won't start. Is that an ignition problem?
Not necessarily. If the cylinder turns freely, the mechanical part is working. The issue is likely the ignition switch (the electrical component behind the cylinder), a dead battery, a faulty transponder chip in your key, or an immobilizer issue. We diagnose the actual cause rather than assuming it's one thing.
Can you replace the ignition on a newer car with push-button start?
Push-button start vehicles don't have a traditional cylinder, so "ignition repair" on those usually means key fob issues, a faulty start button, or an immobilizer problem. We handle the locksmith side of those issues. Severe electrical faults in the start system itself may need a shop with diagnostic computers for the full vehicle network.
How fast can you get to me in Stuart for an ignition emergency?
Our average response time in Stuart is 25 minutes. If you're closer to the US-1 corridor or central Stuart, it's often faster. Outlying areas toward Palm City or Jensen Beach may run 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic on the Kanner Highway bridge.
My key broke off inside the ignition. Can you fix that without replacing the whole cylinder?
Usually yes. Broken key extraction is a separate skill set and we handle it without pulling the cylinder if the housing isn't damaged. After extraction, we inspect the cylinder. If the wafers are still in good shape, a simple rekey gets you back on the road for a lot less than a full replacement.
Do you work on older cars without transponder keys in Stuart?
Absolutely. Older mechanical ignitions are actually simpler to rekey and rebuild. If you're driving a vehicle from the late 1990s or early 2000s that uses a basic cut key without a chip, ignition service is typically at the lower end of our price range.
What if I lost all copies of my key and need ignition service too?
We handle this combination regularly. We can rekey the ignition cylinder and cut a new key from the lock itself, no original key required. If your vehicle has a transponder, we program the new key to the vehicle at the same visit. Check our Car Key Replacement service for full details on that side of the job.
Ready to Get Your Ignition Fixed Today?
Stuck in Stuart with an ignition that won't cooperate? Don't wait around. Stuart Locksmiths dispatches fast, works on site, and