Q: Steering wheel is locked

asked by on March 23, 2016

The car will not start. Two key symbols are displayed and the steering wheel is locked. The battery is still good.

The battery in the keyless remote may be dead and will need to be replaced to see if this cures the problem. If you have a second one then try it and see if it works. If neither work then replace both batteries in the remotes. Make sure you replace the batteries with out damaging the circuit boards in the remotes. I recommend having a qualified mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, come and check the problem and replace the batteries for you if you do not feel like you can do it.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What’s the range on the electronic key?
Your electronic key lets you lock and unlock the doors, the rear hatch and even start the car. However, it needs to be with you to do that. You also have to be within range of one of the antennas...
Brake lights not working
The brake light switch should be checked for proper operation since it's the most common failure for this issue. The the brake light system needs to be checked for a switch failure and to see if water is getting into...
Won't start
If you are trying to get a new key to work with the vehicle, you will need a factory scan tool to program the key to the vehicle. If you replaced the computer, you will also need the dealer to...
P1811 code. Is this a major code?
Hi, thanks for writing in. This code occurs when the PCM sees that the transmission takes longer to shift than the given parameters. The PCM uses several parameters, like load and speed, to tell the transmission when it should shift....
1999 Nissan Altima won't stay running. I changed the thermostat.
First of all, it isn't possible to tell you exactly what is wrong with your car without direct testing, in other words, diagnosing it. If the thermostat made the car run at the proper temperature, then that is not likely...
Car ran out of gas now runs very rough and oil light stays on. I am stumped. Help?
Hello, It sounds like you may have a faulty oil pressure sensor. The oil pressure light will usually come on when a few things could be happening. Either the motor is in fact low on oil, the oil pump could...
Service stabilitrak
The Stabilitrac system is your vehicle's traction control system. Your vehicle is equipped with wheel speed sensors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/abs-speed-sensor-replacement) at each of the four wheels which monitor wheel speed while relaying this information simultaneously to the ABS and traction control system...

Related articles

A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder
Whether Whether you have plans to go off-road or just want a vehicle that’s nice and roomy, the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder is definitely worth a closer look. Key Features As a dual-purpose vehicle, Nissan made the 2012 Pathfinder with three-rows...
2012 Nissan Sentra vs. 2012 Nissan Altima: Which One Should I Buy?
When you consider the Nissan Sentra versus the Nissan Altima, you need to realize that you’re crossing between two different classes of vehicle: the Altima is a mid-size sedan while the Sentra is a compact sedan. The differences between the...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Steering Gear Adjuster Plug
Common signs include the steering wheel feeling loose or hard to turn, leaking power steering fluid, and the steering wheel shaking while driving.