Q: the car starts but the steering wheel is locked and won't turn

asked by on September 12, 2016

My starts normally, but when i try driving it the steering is locked in one position and won't turn, although the car will drive

My car has 200000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Hello. There may be a couple things going on here. If the steering wheel is indeed locked in position, the steering lock mechanism behind the steering wheel may be stuck and in need of a replacement. If the steering wheel is just very hard to turn, this can be due to a broken power steering drive belt or failed power steering pump. To avoid an unsafe driving condition, have a certified mobile mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, come to your car’s location to diagnose the steering problem and have this issue corrected.

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

How do I disable the autolock and autounlock features?
Autolock and Autounlock are two features that control when the doors to lock and unlock. Autolock automatically locks the doors when the vehicle is put into motion. Auto Unlock automatically unlocks the doors after the vehicle has been turned off...
Engine rebuild or swap.
If your RX does indeed need and engine then you will have options depending on if you want it rebuilt, or replaced with a new, rebuilt or new unit. All of these variations will have their own costs depending on...
Spark plug not firing
HI there. If you're not getting spark to any of the plugs, you'll want to look at the ignition components that are "up stream". In your vehicle, the crankshaft position sensor sends a signal to the ignition module. The module...
Car only start when cold but dies once warm and wont start till complete cold
You may have more than one issue going on here for your 1987 Toyota Celica. The cold starting issue could possibly be caused by a failing fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) or even a temperature sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/egr-temperature-sensor-replacement). Heat increases resistance in electrical...
Car cranks slowly when it is hot, but cranks normal when the engine is cold
It sounds like your starter motor could be overheating. If the starter overheats, this can cause it to malfunction. I would recommend having your starter inspected and replaced as necessary by a certified mechanic. Once you have a new starter,...
My car keeps stalling during idle. It has low RPM and hesitates while accelerating. There is also an engine knock.
There are several different issues going on with your 1994 Toyota Corolla. The lack of power, rough idle, and stalling are likely related. Common causes for these symptoms are bad spark plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement), fuel filter, fuel pump, coil, plug wires,...
Car will not move in gear after we bleed the clutch slave cylinder 2011 Dodge Caliber
Hello - if releasing the clutch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/how-does-a-clutch-work-by-richard-manning) pedal with the car in gear does not produce forward motion with the transmission in a forward gear, then yes, the clutch has likely failed. This would be a failure of the clutch...
hard to start at morning after a long cranking it will get start but idiling is very rough
Hello. Thank you for writing in. There are several components that may cause a hard-start (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-hard-to-start-inspection). First we need to determine if the engine is cranking at a normal speed, and it is taking a while for the engine to...
Car shaking during start up while it is cold outside
You will need to make sure you are using the correct oil viscosity for the temperature outside. If you use the incorrect oil it may cause the VVT system to not work correctly and cause erratic running if one or...

Related articles

How Long Do Trailing Arm Bushings Last?
The The trailing arm bushings join the axle and pivot point on the body of the vehicle. They are part of a trailing arm suspension in your vehicle. The front trailing arm consists of bushings. A bolt runs through these...
How to Replace a Steering Gear Adjuster Plug
Maintaining reliable steering is important for every driver. A common sign of a faulty steering gear adjuster plug is a loose steering wheel.
Top 10 Best-Selling Cars of 2016
Ford F-series pickup trucks, Toyota Camry, and Honda Civic are some of the best-selling cars of 2016 and all deliver on reliability and efficiency.