If your Honda Accord steering wheel is locked, try gently pulling down on the steering wheel before turning the key in the ignition. If that doesn’t work, you may be facing a mechanical breakdown.
Picture this: You’re trudging up the hill where you parked your beloved Honda Accord. You get in the driver’s seat, release the parking brake, and go to turn your key in the ignition. Maybe you’re in a hurry—there’s an errand to run, a kid to pick up from an extracurricular—or maybe you’re in no rush, but you’re still trying to enjoy your day.
Either way, when the key suddenly won’t turn in the ignition and you can’t get your wheel to move an inch, your whole day suddenly becomes a wash. If this is you, it could be that the anti-theft steering wheel lock in your Honda Accord has been triggered. And if that’s the case, you’ll need to unlock it before you can hit the road once more.
Jerry
, the car insurance
app drivers trust to save them time and money, is here with tips to unlock your Accord’s steering wheel so you can get back on the road with ease. In this article, we’ll cover how to unlock a stuck steering wheel (and what it means if it won’t budge) plus tips for cutting your Honda Accord insurance costs
. How to unlock your Honda Accord steering wheel
Your Honda Accord comes equipped with a steering wheel locking mechanism intended to add a level of protection to your vehicle when parking on steep hills. The idea is that if your brakes should fail when the car is parked on an incline or decline, the wheel locking feature will act as a failsafe to prevent your car from rolling away. When the wheel locks, your ignition does as well.
But sometimes, this feature can be accidentally triggered, bringing your day to a total standstill.
You can trigger your ignition switch
and steering wheel to lock if you hit or bump your steering wheel after turning off the vehicle. This most commonly happens when people use the steering wheel for leverage getting in and out of their cars. But luckily, most of the time it’s an easy fix. If you notice your steering wheel and ignition have locked, try gently pulling down on the steering wheel in the same direction it locked. If it won’t give in one direction, then try gently turning it in the opposite direction.
Once the wheel gives a little, you should be able to turn the ignition—which will then automatically unlock your wheel.
If you don’t have your key handy, or if your vehicle is a smart key system, try putting pressure on the brake pedal while you gently pull on the wheel instead, then press the start/stop button to get things going.
If your wheel is still locked, your car won’t start, or (worse) both, try repeating the process again but pull in the opposite direction. If that still doesn’t work, you could be facing bigger problems with your Honda Accord’s steering system.
Why your Honda Accord steering wheel lock might engage
If your Honda Accord steering wheel lock is still engaged, you may be facing a bigger problem. Both minor issues (like oil fluid leaks) and major ones (like a failing steering rack) can cause the side-effect of a locked steering wheel—so it’s important to diagnose the problem before taking further corrective action.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers If your steering wheel locks while parked
If your steering wheel doesn't turn your car while the vehicle is in park and won’t respond to the key-and-wheel-jiggling trick, it could be the result of a damaged or worn-out key. If your key is old, try using a spare or having a new one made before giving the wheel-wiggling trick another try.
On the other hand, it could be the result of an ignition failure. In cases of faulty ignitions, you may need to have the ignition cylinder or switch completely replaced.
If your steering wheel locks while driving
Steering wheels that lock while driving make for dangerous situations—and unfortunately, these are situations with which many Honda Accord drivers are all too familiar. Steering problems have plagued Honda Accords over many model years, with leaks in the power steering system a common source of the issue.
If ever your steering wheel locks while driving, do your best not to panic. Instead, keep your hands on the wheel and apply your brakes as soon as it is safe to do so. Usually, your wheel will still have a slight give in one direction, which you can use to navigate to the shoulder.
Once you’ve stopped your vehicle and are safely off the road, call for help. Roadside assistance, also known as towing and labor coverage
, is a major benefit in a situation like this. If your steering wheel is usable but stiff
If you notice changes to your steering wheel’s “feel,” such as your wheel stiffening or shuddering when driving, it could be that your power steering system is failing.
Veering or a loss of steering control are common indicators that your Honda Accord power steering system needs to be checked. You may also need to have the power steering pump
replaced. When in doubt, check your Honda’s fluid levels, air filters, hoses, and torque specs for signs of undue wear or damage—or simply bring your car straight to a mechanic. MORE: Are Hondas expensive to maintain?
How to save on Honda Accord insurance
The good news is, safety features like the anti-theft steering lock in your Honda Accord help bring down the costs of your overall car insurance.
In fact, Honda Accords are nearly $200 cheaper to insure than other models! But that doesn’t mean you can’t still find savings—shopping around with multiple insurance companies is the best way to find a low premium. Luckily, that’s exactly what the Jerry
app was designed to do. It’s this simple: download the Jerry app, answer a handful of questions about you and your car, and in just 45 seconds or less, the trusted broker app
can find you hand-picked quotes from a pool of over 55 name-brand providers across the country. You can compare rates side-by-side, manage your policy, and even swap insurers, all from the convenience of your phone. “Jerry
is the future of car insurance! I downloaded the app, entered the information, picked my insurance rate, and paid my fee. I even switched insurance providers easily! Jerry saved me $182/month so quickly.” —Paulina F.
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