WL Jeep Forum

Welcome to WLJeepforum.com! Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Steering wheel doesn’t lock when ignition is off

jfn1000

Member
I have recently noticed that my steering wheel isn’t locked when ignition is totally off. This is a Limited with about 1,000 miles. I am pretty sure this isn’t normal. Any body else notice this? Thanks
 

jeffrow

Well-known member
I have recently noticed that my steering wheel isn’t locked when ignition is totally off. This is a Limited with about 1,000 miles. I am pretty sure this isn’t normal. Any body else notice this? Thanks
I’ve got an Altitude, and it’s wheel does not lock either.
 

JeepCares

Well-known member
I have recently noticed that my steering wheel isn’t locked when ignition is totally off. This is a Limited with about 1,000 miles. I am pretty sure this isn’t normal. Any body else notice this? Thanks

I’ve got an Altitude, and it’s wheel does not lock either.

Our team would like to dig into this concern with you both. Please separately private message our team with more details and we can get started.

Kate
Jeep Cares
 

1969 300

Active member
It's been my experience that the steering wheel does not lock if it is in the upright position. It has to be upside down before it locks.
 

RichSNJ

Well-known member
I have recently noticed that my steering wheel isn’t locked when ignition is totally off. This is a Limited with about 1,000 miles. I am pretty sure this isn’t normal. Any body else notice this? Thanks
Have you tried it after a few mins? I haven't gotten my '22 yet, but my '19 (with Lane Keeping / auto park) doesn't lock immediately, but after a few seconds / minutes it locks up. I assume it's an electronic lock rather than an older style mechanical lock.
 

Sarge

Well-known member
I read this was a chip shortage / supply chain issue. Vehicles produced without it will always be without it is my understanding.
 

Dave180

Well-known member
I brought this up to my dealer once. After I shut it off, the wheel turns freely like the power steering is still on. Later it seems to shut down. They had no reply.
 

eleceng1979

Well-known member
The NHTSA said if a manufacturer proved to them that the vehicle was hard to steal because of some other anti-theft device, it would grant a waiver of the steering wheel lock requirement for that model. I believe, if the steering wheel is not locked, raising the rear wheels will change the inclination so that the front wheels will caster and the towed car will follow directly behind the tow truck. Obviously an AWD model would see damage if the rear wheels were held. Not sure if the front axle locks when in park.

So fancy anti theft = gps locator on your app to go find your vehicle, until they disconnect the battery…

Non locking steering isn’t optional unless a waiver is on hand from the NHTSA. Requirements are required folks, not optional due to you poor supply chain planning. I guess I’ll hold Jeep’s feet to the fire and call their “due to chip shortage” excuse not valid and will call and inquire about the waiver or lack there of.

The reason we have watchdog groups is due to such behavior
 
Last edited:

RichSNJ

Well-known member
Our team would like to dig into this concern with you both. Please separately private message our team with more details and we can get started.

Kate
Jeep Cares
I just got my '22 GCL SR V8 last night, and I can confirm that mine also does not lock :(
 
I thought the same thing but when you walk away from the car it locks. Must be electronic and sense when the key gets a certain distance from the vehicle . Kind of how the courtesy lights in the door handles and puddle lights come on as you approach the vehicle.
 

eleceng1979

Well-known member
FYI the proximity approach is able to be turned off in vehicle settings in the Uconnect touchscreen.

Also, as a side note. Proximity wake-up had to be shut off immediately after I picked my vehicle up. My key rack is 6-10’ away from the drivers door, through a wall separating my garage from my house. The keys placed in close proximity told the Jeep I was near, so it turned on my lights, cycled the fuel pump and turned on the stereo awaiting my arrival. After a short time due to a door not opening, it went back to sleep. Shortly later it did it all again. It continued this pattern for over 30 minutes non stop while I figured out how to disable it. It literally did it so many times I could easily see how a battery would die. It has been disabled ever since. I saw 10-15 of these cycles while I was reading the manual.

I picked up in august 2021, disabled it maybe 2-3 days later. Many software updates since, I haven’t tried to re enable it.
 

RichSNJ

Well-known member
FYI the proximity approach is able to be turned off in vehicle settings in the Uconnect touchscreen.

Also, as a side note. Proximity wake-up had to be shut off immediately after I picked my vehicle up. My key rack is 6-10’ away from the drivers door, through a wall separating my garage from my house. The keys placed in close proximity told the Jeep I was near, so it turned on my lights, cycled the fuel pump and turned on the stereo awaiting my arrival. After a short time due to a door not opening, it went back to sleep. Shortly later it did it all again. It continued this pattern for over 30 minutes non stop while I figured out how to disable it. It literally did it so many times I could easily see how a battery would die. It has been disabled ever since. I saw 10-15 of these cycles while I was reading the manual.

I picked up in august 2021, disabled it maybe 2-3 days later. Many software updates since, I haven’t tried to re enable it.
Oh crap, I keep a key on a hook nearby, I'll have to check for that...
 

RichSNJ

Well-known member
FYI the proximity approach is able to be turned off in vehicle settings in the Uconnect touchscreen.

Also, as a side note. Proximity wake-up had to be shut off immediately after I picked my vehicle up. My key rack is 6-10’ away from the drivers door, through a wall separating my garage from my house. The keys placed in close proximity told the Jeep I was near, so it turned on my lights, cycled the fuel pump and turned on the stereo awaiting my arrival. After a short time due to a door not opening, it went back to sleep. Shortly later it did it all again. It continued this pattern for over 30 minutes non stop while I figured out how to disable it. It literally did it so many times I could easily see how a battery would die. It has been disabled ever since. I saw 10-15 of these cycles while I was reading the manual.

I picked up in august 2021, disabled it maybe 2-3 days later. Many software updates since, I haven’t tried to re enable it.
So I went out last night to check on this. I keep a key hanging in the garage within feet of the Jeep, and it did not appear to have this issue. Is there anything I can try to replicate the issue you had? I went out, without a key, everything was dark, I opened the car, everything came on, closed the car, waited a minute and everything went dark again. I didn't hang out for very long, but it stayed dark for at least a minute... I would have stayed longer but it was freezing :)
 
Top