Steering locked while driving

[andrew8404]

So this happened to me again this morning but locked up for about 10 seconds. I was able to get it on video for a split second before it was able to come loose. Going to make an appointment tomorrow. It’s weird twice in three days but the previous 6000 miles fine even in colder temperature. Checked the ground and fuses and all looks to be good.

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[TrainMan]

Yes please let us know if those who experienced this had the steering gear replaced.

 

[Jt-wrx]

just about 30,000 kms on mine and i just had this happen first time also, it scares you for sure, luckily going straight, with 37's and no power steering it sure feels like it straight up locked up, although i think with some arm strong i could muscle it slowly, as i crept up to a light it's like it just kicked back in on it's own and everything been normal since, i was accelerating aggressively and i think happened on a shift (i have 6 speed manual, i sometimes get my stereo to break connection when i do quick shifts as well but never the steering)...ground wire does sound plausible? i dunno but that was scary and dangerous imo, had i been on a curve that could have been trouble, it just wanted to go dead straight and felt like you couldn't turn the wheel

 

[wannajeep]

Check your battery terminal connections are tight on the main battery itself. I had something similar happen many years ago (non Jeep). If they're loose, you could lose all main power and that pretty much shuts down all the computers and everything they control.

 

[AngelaNewsom]

Has anyone else had an issue with their 2020 Gladiator steering locking while driving on the highway? It happened to me today while driving at 40 mph, around a curve. Luckily, no one was close behind me. I applied my brakes, and was able to unlock it, before landing in the ditch.

I had this happen to me today in my 2021 Gladiator Mohave. Scared me to death. Did you find out what the cause was?

 

[Jt-wrx]

i haven't seen explanation for this yet, it only happened when i was accelerating aggressively, high rpm and fast shift from 2-3 in the manual, only happened twice, i don't do that anymore, both times once speed came down to near stop it seemed to reengage and back to normal, but on big tires these things just want to go straight when that happens

 

[jmdwifi]

This happened once before the gear box replacement. I was going around a curve on a mountain without a guard rail. Scared the shit out of me. Hasn't happened again.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

This is by far the most ridiculous issue I’ve heard of on the forum. I’m glad you made it out alright.

 

[jmdwifi]

This is by far the most ridiculous issue I’ve heard of on the forum. I’m glad you made it out alright.

It didn't lock, it did lose the power assist for a moment. It was odd.

 

[wannajeep]

Steering wheel lock seems like a ridiculously outdated and highly dangerous feature. Brakes and steering are arguably the most two important safety controls and both would benefit from always being available, even if it means with added effort (if power assist is lost).

What happens if you have a loose connection at a battery terminal, and 12 VDC power is disconnected while driving? Does this engage steering wheel lock? Imagine what could go wrong. Or would the alternator keep running and prevent complete power loss, allowing for steering control?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Steering wheel lock seems like a ridiculously outdated and highly dangerous feature. Brakes and steering are arguably the most two important safety controls and both would benefit from always being available, even if it means with added effort (if power assist is lost).

What happens if you have a loose connection at a battery terminal, and 12 VDC power is disconnected while driving? Does this engage steering wheel lock? Imagine what could go wrong. Or would the alternator keep running and prevent complete power loss, allowing for steering control?

These do NOT have a steering wheel "lock". They just don't. You can totally kill power and you can still steer it just takes a ton of effort. I can go out right now with no fob and turn my front wheels with the steering wheel, engine off, no key fob.
These don't have the old fashioned lock- that's been GONE in Jeeps for over a decade Look it up - so many people wanted to pull Wranglers behind motor homes that Jeep removed that old no-longer-needed "feature" so the wheels would turn as you towed the Jeep FLAT behind your motor home.
I suspect that in some of these cases the sudden loss of any assist appears to lock things but the steering wheel doesn't have a lock. If it's freezing there's something else going on.
(I'd ask if in any of these cases people messed with the over-center screw adjustment on the steering gear to remove "play" as that can cause troubles when things get hot if one is not careful.

In any case -
I don't know where people are getting the idea that these have a lock - they do not.

 

[wannajeep]

These do NOT have a steering wheel "lock". They just don't. You can totally kill power and you can still steer it just takes a ton of effort.

If that's the case, I'm relieved. Experienced the lockup once in a Saturn around 1992 and that wasn't pleasant.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Does Steering Wheel of 2020 Jeep Wrangler JL Need to Be Unlocked When Flat Towing
Question:
Does the steering wheel of the Wrangler JL not lock into position with the vehicle turned off? I cant find where this is addressed in the manual, or on line.

asked by: Rick R

Expert Reply:
The 2020 Jeep Wrangler JL does not have a steering wheel lock. In 2008 Jeep did away with that function so if your plan is to flat tow your JL you do not need to worry about the steering wheel being locked. There are very specific instructions in your owners manual about flat towing though that you need to follow.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...g-not-locking-when-ignition-turned-off.19767/

 

[AngelaNewsom]

These do NOT have a steering wheel "lock". They just don't. You can totally kill power and you can still steer it just takes a ton of effort. I can go out right now with no fob and turn my front wheels with the steering wheel, engine off, no key fob.
These don't have the old fashioned lock- that's been GONE in Jeeps for over a decade Look it up - so many people wanted to pull Wranglers behind motor homes that Jeep removed that old no-longer-needed "feature" so the wheels would turn as you towed the Jeep FLAT behind your motor home.
I suspect that in some of these cases the sudden loss of any assist appears to lock things but the steering wheel doesn't have a lock. If it's freezing there's something else going on.
(I'd ask if in any of these cases people messed with the over-center screw adjustment on the steering gear to remove "play" as that can cause troubles when things get hot if one is not careful.

In any case -
I don't know where people are getting the idea that these have a lock - they do not.

I have only had my 2021 Gladiator for 11 days. Nothing has been messed with as mentioned in your comment. I was aware that Jeep did away with the wheel lock. That’s why it scared me so much when I experienced this. I live in the mountains of TN and I was going off the road and then when I finally got the wheel to release I pulled too hard and about had a head on collision. The dealership still has it and I pray they figure something out. I don’t want to be scared to drive my new Jeep.

 

[Jt-wrx]

I have only had my 2021 Gladiator for 11 days. Nothing has been messed with as mentioned in your comment. I was aware that Jeep did away with the wheel lock. That’s why it scared me so much when I experienced this. I live in the mountains of TN and I was going off the road and then when I finally got the wheel to release I pulled too hard and about had a head on collision. The dealership still has it and I pray they figure something out. I don’t want to be scared to drive my new Jeep.

This will be a good issue to discover what the cause is. If it happened to me early i likely would have left it with them as well. I'm so tied to mine, if i don't drive it like i stole it...it's fine, have still only made it happen twice and they weren't that far apart, it's been quite some time now.

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