I am the second owner of a 2011 MCS. I bought my little mini from a Honda dealer in April. Yesterday, I was out and about running an errand at the drug store and when I parked and went to get out, my key fob wouldn't pop out of the ignition. I played with it some being careful but couldn't get it out, so I ran into the store and left the key in the car.
This morning, I went to the dealer (my first trip as it needed an oil change too) and explained the problem. Several hours later, they had "fixed" it but said the ignition plastic (where the key goes) had been abused as if someone forcefully jammed the key fob into the dash. A $250 fix! When I said, "isn't that covered under warranty?" they said, "no" because it was considered abuse not a manufacturer's defect. Seems to me it is a defect but I was laid off last month and don't have the $250 to fix the car that I just freakin bought. They said if the key jams again, I'd have to bring it in for the repair. No..I'll park it and drive my 4 Runner until I go back to work! They suggested I contact the Honda dealer and ask them to pay for it. When I was done laughing, I left. Unhappy...hoping my key fob doesn't jam...
Any suggestions???

 

You don't happen to have comfort access do you? (little black button on the exterior door handle) If you do, you don't need to put the key in the slot at all, just have it on you and push the start button. You might run into problems with the fob's batteries though - I can't remember if they charge when it's in the slot or if they're replacable.

 

No, don't have comfort access and I only have one key.

 

There's a physical key inside the fob. If the fob gets stuck again at least you'll be able to lock the car. For additional security you can cover the fob with something.

 

is it possible you mis-understood and they said the key-fob was damaged?

I ask because $250 is what a new key-fob runs . . . and I suspect replacing the dash unit would be WAY over $250

this is hind-sight but I'd have told the Honda dealer the car was supposed to come with two keys and I'll write the check when I SEE two keys. More and more cars today use a key that is not a simple piece of metal that can be copied at a hardware store for a buck. Auto keys today are computers that cost hundreds of dollars . . .

btw - you can often buy them off E-Bay BUT they must be PROGRAMMED to the car B4 they work . . . helllllooooo Mr dealer {$}

 

I asked the Honda dealer when I picked up the car about a second key and got no where. I guess the original owner either lost it or never gave it to the honda dealer. I am certain it's the dash part of the ignition. I have the estimate in front of me. It says, "starter/stop switch" plus labor. I already asked about the key being damaged. I guess it isn't because that's the first thing I thought of.

 

Replacement of the part is extremely easy so if you actually need to get it replaced then you should be able to do it your self. If my memory serves me correctly it is less than 10 t-20 Torx screws and a wiring plug.

Start Stop Switch P/N: 61359231739

Can be purchased for about $80-85 from a number of places one is listed below.

http://www.penskeparts.com/DiagramsM...ts=61359231739

 

This happened to me on Saturday, brand new car. I manually removed the FOB and it has worked ever since (meaning for the past 2 days). I had never been forceful with the ignition by any definition until that time.

I only received 1 Key FOB from my dealer.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3578862

 

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one having this problem! It's been about 6 weeks since the dealer "popped" the switch back out and I've been very careful using my key and press on it gingerly. So far, so good. I still say it should be covered under warranty.
and yeah..the dealer did actually say to me that a leaky drink in the cup holder can get into the wiring (since the shifter and cup holders are so close) and the liquid can short out the shifter. It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, quite honestly.

 

$250 for a new fob, you dealers are really sticking it to ya. We charge 148.00 for the fob and 33.00 for the slide in spare. (non comfort access).
We have the switch unit for 64.96 on our site.
http://www.theminipartstore.com/
The part number is# 61359231739
Hope this helps ya.