The Lemon IndexA steering wheel that locks or seizes while driving is a safety problem that needs a shop before you drive again.
Stop and get help. Don’t drive it until it is checked.
A failed electric steering motor or control unit. Then: a seized steering column joint; a failed steering rack.
Owners describe this in 10,461 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Chevrolet Malibu.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Ford Fusion | 176 | 3% |
| 2011 Ford Fusion | 174 | 6% |
| 2012 Ford Fusion | 155 | 6% |
| 2006 Chevrolet Malibu | 143 | 10% |
| 2008 Ford Escape | 134 | 6% |
| 2012 Ford Focus | 132 | 3% |
| 2004 Chevrolet Malibu | 121 | 7% |
| 2013 Ford Explorer | 111 | 5% |
| 2011 Ford Explorer | 107 | 9% |
| 2009 Ford Escape | 92 | 5% |
| 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt | 89 | 4% |
| 2007 Chevrolet Malibu | 87 | 8% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2000 Chevrolet Corvette · 23% 2001 Chevrolet Corvette · 17% 2002 Chevrolet Corvette · 15% 2006 Chevrolet Malibu · 10% 2011 Ford Explorer · 9% 2007 Chevrolet Malibu · 8% 2009 Buick Enclave · 7% 2004 Chevrolet Malibu · 7%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of steering wheel locked up
- A failed electric steering motor or control unit
- A seized steering column joint
- A failed steering rack
- An ignition or steering lock fault
- A power steering pump failure
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive if the steering wheel locked up?
Stop and get help. Don’t drive it until it is checked.
Get help right away if you notice it at all.
Of the 10,461 complaints describing it, 12% mention a crash, 8% say the car was towed, 0.8% mention a fire and 6% report an injury.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: steering (87%), electrical system (14%), engine (8%), power train (4%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 77,000 miles.
Most reports by make: Ford (2,550), Chevrolet (2,315), Pontiac (556), Dodge (553), Jeep (461).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (steering, suspension repairs): the middle half ran $1,300 to $2,400, typical $1,800, from 151 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Engine codes that come up with it
Trouble codes owners named in these complaints more often than in other symptom complaints. Look up any code →
Related symptoms
Steering wheel hard to turn Car shakes at highway speed Clicking noise when turning Clunking noise over bumps Car pulls to one side Loose steering wheel
Quick answers
What causes steering wheel locked up?
A steering wheel that locks or seizes while driving is a safety problem that needs a shop before you drive again. Common causes: a failed electric steering motor or control unit; a seized steering column joint; a failed steering rack; an ignition or steering lock fault; a power steering pump failure.
Is it safe to drive if the steering wheel locked up?
Stop and get help. Don’t drive it until it is checked.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion and Ford Explorer. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 151 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $1,300 to $2,400. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup