2003 alero steering won't lock and nothing happens when you turn the key in the ignition

The list of possible causes includes the key, the lock cylinder, the steering wheel lock, and other things.
Have you tried another key ?

If nothing is holding it like the steering wheel or shifter, you may need a new lock cylinder. Did you try a spare key ?

make sure the stick is in reverse and the key is all the way in the ignition

This happens to me sometimes because the pressure of the steering lock is enough to keep me from being able to turn the key. Try moving the steering wheel while turning the key, if that doesn't work, flip the key over and try again (unless it is a one sided key), if that doesn't work, then you are likely looking at a bad lock cylinder and it will have to be replaced.

You may want to try to slightly push / pull your vehicle to take weight / tension off the transmission, which in turn will allow you to turn the steering wheel enough to see if the ignition switch can be turned.

Make sure the valet parking lock in the glove box is not locked. You'll need the master or driver #1 key. If VP is not locked and this happens use the master key and manually lock and then unlock the driver door then try starting the car. And also you have a working remote key unit when this this happens, step back out of the car. if you have passengers have them exit too. Hit the lock bottom wait a couple of seconds hit the unlock button just once. Only you the driver get into the car place key in ignition turn it over Note: if it dings your good if nothing you'll need to keep locking and unlocking until the security light dings.

To fix your problem, you have to turn the steering wheel either to the left or right as much as you can, then try to turn the key in the ignition. When the steering wheel locks, the key won't turn. By manually holding the steering wheel out of the lock position, the key will turn again and you're steering column will be back to normal.

Try moving your steering wheel to the left then jiggle the key until it releases, if no luck try the same thing moving the steering wheel to the right, or combination of both ways, If this works then there is nothing to worry about, it can happen almost to any vehicle, you are just in between the wheel locking mechanism and the ignition start or the removal of the key, a common problem in the design of the wheel lock, to prevent it from happening again, just have your steering wheel were you want it before starting or turning off you car. Rick

Hello. Move the shifter to neutral and then put it into park with more force. Try the key. Forcefully turn the steering wheel left and right. Then Repeat each step with even more force if necessary. Joe

try turning the steering wheel while you turn the key