The Toyota Corolla comes with an anti-theft wheel lock feature that’s easy to accidentally trigger. If you’re stuck, Jerry can help get you back on the road.
If your Toyota steering wheel is locked up, try turning the ignition to the “On” position, then gently wiggle the wheel back and forth. If that doesn’t work, the problem could be mechanical.
This anti-theft feature activates whenever the steering wheel moves without a key in the ignition
To unlock it, wiggle your steering wheel while turning the key or pressing the Start button
If it won’t unlock, get your ignition switch and steering column checked out
Stiffness in the steering wheel is a different problem, usually caused by power steering issues
While you can’t permanently disable the steering wheel lock on a Toyota, you can use these steps to unlock the wheel quickly and easily:
Press down on the push-button start.
Gently turn your steering wheel to the left and then to the right. If it’s still snug, don’t jerk it.
Continue this process to the left and then to the right until your steering wheel is free from the locked position.
Pro tip: If you can’t get your ignition to budge, try turning the key while wiggling your wheel at the same time.
Keep in mind: In a smart key system, you’ll know if your wheel is locked because the display screen will notify you. For unlocking the steering wheel in keyless systems, the steps are slightly different: you’ll need to press on the brake pedal while wiggling the wheel back and forth, then hit the start button.
If the steps above don’t do the trick, you could be facing a more serious mechanical problem in your vehicle.
MORE: How to check and add power steering fluid
Why your Toyota steering wheel lock might engage
If your Toyota Corolla or Toyota Camry steering wheel is locked, the most likely reason is that the vehicle’s anti-theft steering lock feature was triggered.
This can happen whenever the steering wheel is turned without a key in the ignition—and unfortunately, your Corolla can’t tell the difference between you accidentally bumping the wheel on your way in or out versus a would-be burglar.
If your Toyota Corolla steering wheel lock is still engaged: You may be facing a bigger problem. Both minor issues (like an old key) and major issues (like a failing power steering system) can cause the side effect of a locked steering wheel, so it’s important to diagnose the problem before proceeding.
If your steering wheel locks while parked
If your steering wheel won’t move while the vehicle is in park and won’t respond to the key-and-wheel-jiggling trick, the most likely source of the problem is a worn-out ignition key or broken key tumblers. If your key is old, try using a spare or having a new one made before giving the wheel-wiggling trick another go.
Alternatively, it could be that the ignition itself has failed. If this is the case, you may need to replace the ignition cylinder or ignition switch before the issue is resolved.
If your steering wheel locks while driving
Most of the time, if your steering wheel locks while driving it’s a binding steering column/lock issue. In fact, binding steering column/lock problems account for nearly one-third of locked Corolla steering wheels, according to data collected by
What to do: Don’t panic. Instead, keep your hands on the wheel and apply pressure to your brakes as soon as it’s safe to do so. Your wheel should still have a little give, so use as much steering power as you have to pull the car to the side of the road. Once you’re safely stopped, call for help.
If you notice that your steering wheel is starting to stiffen or binding to one side when you drive, this is a tell-tale sign your vehicle is developing steering column/lock problems—and you should bring your Toyota to a mechanic or service shop as soon as possible to have it fixed.
MORE: Why does my steering wheel shake, and how do I fix it?
If your steering wheel is usable but stiff
Stiff but usable steering wheels can be the consequence of the problems mentioned above—or they could be the result of other issues, such as a faulty
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