Those of you who have had Steering Lock Failure

Originally Posted by yakz

Steering wheel lock just failed at 36,000 on the dot in a grocery store parking lot.

Got a rental car, drove home, called the dealership. Told me $280 for the cutaway bolts and $730 for the steering wheel lock.

Read some threads on here, grabbed a hammer, went back to the grocery.

Smacked the part with the hammer a few times and it unlocked (note: kicking it didn't work, and I had to give it a pretty good smack with the hammer). Popped the hood, pulled the plastic **** off, yanked the fuse box and pulled the fuse. Put everything back together, shut it off, started back up just fine (whirrr of the lock working notably absent).

Taking the rental car back tomorrow annoyed but without the expensive tow and repair thanks the forum.