This happened to us today after a long time in between occurrences. Since blowing graphr ite in the lock cylinder it has been working great. Well today it locked up again and after reading this thread, this time the fix was jacking the driver tire up to relieve the pressure since wife parked with the wheels NOT straight. Well that worked!
So this issue could be because of both reason:
- sticky lock cylinder
- wheel not straight and too much pressure not unlocking the steering wheel
To the poster about hearing that metallic sound when the key is removed, is CORRECT. When it was stuck today, i didn't hear that sound when key was removed.