I have had this problem happen multiple times now, and was wondering if anyone would have any thoughts on this... I will go to put the key in the ignition and the ignition is locked up and the key will not turn. After minutes of !Removed! around with the steering wheel it will eventually turn but it took me 20 minutes today.. Help... Any thoughts?
This happens to me on a regular basis. It's very frustrating. I've heard the straight wheel theory and it doesn't apply. My wheels ARE straight when this happens. Jiggling the steering wheel makes it worse. I was stuck at a gas station and had to call AAA to tow me away from the place because I couldn't turn my key to start my car. He fiddled with the key for awhile and got it to work. He claims that when this happens, move the key VERY slowly in and out of the barrel. By doing this, he unfroze my steering wheel. I've tried it subsequently and it doesn't work. Today my car is stuck in the garage with, you guessed it--a frozen steering wheel...I think there is a BIG design flaw with this SUV. When I took it to the dealership, the service manager said he had never heard of such a thing. Well, that's interesting. One of my friends has the same SUV--only the hybrid version--and this happens to him regularly, too.
Key Won't Turn In Ignition...
in 04 - 09 Lexus RX330 / RX350 / RX400h
Posted
This happens to me on a regular basis. It's very frustrating. I've heard the straight wheel theory and it doesn't apply. My wheels ARE straight when this happens. Jiggling the steering wheel makes it worse. I was stuck at a gas station and had to call AAA to tow me away from the place because I couldn't turn my key to start my car. He fiddled with the key for awhile and got it to work. He claims that when this happens, move the key VERY slowly in and out of the barrel. By doing this, he unfroze my steering wheel. I've tried it subsequently and it doesn't work. Today my car is stuck in the garage with, you guessed it--a frozen steering wheel...I think there is a BIG design flaw with this SUV. When I took it to the dealership, the service manager said he had never heard of such a thing. Well, that's interesting. One of my friends has the same SUV--only the hybrid version--and this happens to him regularly, too.