When the steering wheel freezes

[question everything]

Yes, happens. I would normally just grasp it with both hands and try to turn it. Works, normally.

But several weeks ago, after filling the tank, nothing happened. I struggled to even get the key in the ignition and then could not take it out.

Meanwhile I am getting hot inside the cars when it is 85 outside. So I opened the door - KIA Soul 2014, BTW - and, all of a sudden the dashboard lights came on and ignition! All I could think was - what will happen when it is 20 outside..

I don't drive much. Am retired, and most of my chores are within 10 miles from home. And many times we drive in my spouse's Highlander. Last year, when I had to replace the battery with less than 10,000 miles, I was chastised by the mechanic to drive more..

Anyhoo, after that event we left town and I did not drive it for several weeks. It started OK at home but once I left the store, same story. OK, by now I knew the drill. Open door, still no ignition but grasping the wheel helped. And it has been happening several times since.

Is there anything wrong or should I just accept it as "it is what it is?"

Oh, and yesterday I reached 11,000! Hurray!

[2naSalit]

1. Sounds like

an electrical problem involving the steering wheel lock and door locks. Do the door lock by themselves after you start driving? You should have that looked at, sounds unsafe.

[question everything]

3. Yes, they do. Once I set it on Drive

Have been getting occasional warnings from KIA on other items, most were handled by a dealer.

Time to winterize the car I will certainly mention this.

Thank you very very much.

[2naSalit]

5. Definitely

pay attention to warnings from the manufacturer! Often times these issues are resolved free of charge from a dealer. It sounds like they must be aware of it. Do have someone qualified look at it. the manufacturer HAS and obligation to warn you about flaws in their product so maybe you should check those, if you still have them available to see if this problem is included in one or more of them, that will help you find out if the repair is free or not too.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

2. Possibly a bad ground somewhere

Or maybe get the hamsters out of the Kia and hire a rat:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/12052072

[question everything]

4. That, too. Though the squirrels and the bunnies in our yard

prefer peanuts. And corn..

[Kaiserguy]

6. My daughter had a Ford

that did the same thing. There was an interlock switch on the shifter that was bad replaced that and it was all good.

[3Hotdogs]

7. It may be covered under warrantee.

Also look at the website for (i believe) National Highway Safety Agency. It maybe a subsidiary of U.S.D.O.T. See if anyone else reported such a problem.

Then report the problem with your car.

[question everything]

8. Taking the car tomorrow to "winterize" it

and will ask and report back.