Steering wheel is locked, as is the ignition. How to unlock?
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I cannot budge the steering wheel. I put the key in the ignition, and the ignition also will not budget at all. Ignition and wheel are both completely locked in place. Every youtube video and mechanic website says the same thing, pull the wheel hard to one side and wiggle the key in the ignition, and you should be able to unlock them and start the car. NOPE. This has been tried, for over an hour. I got in a full workout just yanking the wheel to either side, wiggling the key and trying to turn it as hard as possible without breaking the key off in the lock. Steering wheel and ignition are both just frozen. I was driving the car, parked, went inside to use the restroom, and came back out less than 3 minutes later to find them no longer moveable. Very frustrating and odd.
How long has your 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport had this problem?
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Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team!
Looks like your Santa Fe Sport is giving you the silent treatment by locking up the steering wheel and ignition. You've tried the usual tricks and still no luck, huh? Sometimes, these things can be stubborn, but let's see if we can nudge it back to cooperation.
First, ensure your wheel isn't pushing up against a curb or other obstacle. This can sometimes add extra pressure and make it even harder to unlock. Also, make sure it's in Park. Try shifting through the gears and back to Park to see if that breaks it free. If that's not the case, try using a different key if you have one, as a slightly worn key can sometimes cause issues.
If all else fails, it could be a deeper issue with the ignition switch or the steering lock mechanism itself. In this case, calling in a professional might be the way to go. They can safely unlock it without risking damage to the key or the ignition.
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