Key won't turn to off, and doors do not unlock ,unless you push forward on the shift lever ( 2006 ION 2 /50,000 mi )

Can you turn the key forward and back to the off position, Is the shift lever in the park position, Is the steering wheel in the locked position????

Sounds like the plastic retainer on the inside of the door that connects the rod from the lock lever to the lock actuator has either broken or become disconnected..

Shift from park to reverse and back a few times and see if the key works

Brake must be pushed down to release shifting lever also locks with the key

FIRST: try using the gas release lever from inside the car with the driver side door closed. My 2006 Jetta gas release lever would only work if the driver door were shut and I pulled the release from the inside car interior. Turns out it was a severed door wire (NOT THE RELEASE CABLE). Thus when the door was open, it stretched the damaged wire and so none of the door controls worked unless the door was closed. ie windows, trunk release, and gas release. It was a $600 repair at the dealership, parts and labor! :(

Turn the steering wheel hard left and try turning key. If it doesn't move, try the right side. If that fails, try pushing the gear Hirt lever forward -it should be in PARK. If it is in PARK, push forward on shifter and turn key. Last option, pry the small (1/2" x 1/2") access panel off the frame around the gear shift. There should be a button under it. Push the button and turn the key. Good luck

Try pulling the steering wheel back and forth while trying to take the key out. Or, push forward and back on the shifter while it's in park, while trying to take the key out. This could be the steering wheel lock mechanism.

If you think it needs lubrication, try a LITTLE bit of graphite lubricant. Do NOT use WD-40.

Try putting foot on brake turn key on then put it in park. The key will not come out unless the shifter is in park.

The 2006 Vibe no longer has that feature. It was discontinued after 2005. I have the 2005 so I know how to change it. If your 2006 is able to change then here are the directions from my 2005.
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks
If you have an automatic transaxle, your vehicle is equipped with an auto door lock/unlock feature which enables you to program your power door locks.
Your vehicle left the factory programmed to Mode 4.
The following is a list of the available programming options:
Mode 1: All doors and liftgate lock when the shift lever is moved out of PARK (P) with the ignition on and all doors and liftgate closed. There is no automatic door unlocking.
Mode 2: No automatic door locking or unlocking.
Mode 3: All doors and liftgate lock when the shift lever is moved out of PARK (P) with the ignition on and all doors and liftgate closed. All doors and liftgate unlock when the shift lever is moved to PARK (P) with the ignition on.
Mode 4: All doors and liftgate lock when the shift lever is moved out of PARK (P) with the ignition on and all doors and liftgate closed. All doors and liftgate unlock when the ignition switch is turned from ON to ACC or to LOCK.
To change the mode you are in, do the following:
1. Set the interior lamp control dial to the door position.
See Interior Lamps Control on page 3-16.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) and close all doors and liftgate.
3. Turn the ignition to ON.
4. Within five seconds after the ignition is turned to ON, press and hold the power door lock switch in
the lock position for about five seconds.
5. The interior lamp will flash to indicate that the mode has been changed. For example, if the lamp flashes once, the function has been changed to Mode 1.
If the battery is disconnected or run down, the mode is changed to the initial mode which is Mode 4.

There was a recall for this. The transmission shift lever assembly has to be changed out.