Steering Lock Not Working 2022 TRD PRO

Hi,

This is probably a newb question.

I own a 2022 TRD PRO and I need some clarification on the steering lock. I recently had to borrow my friend's 2021 TRD PRO and I noticed after turning off the engine, when his steering wheel is slightly turned it clicks and locks into place, hence locking the steering wheel. I never really thought about this until I got my 4runner back and I noticed that no matter what I do after turning off the engine, my steering wheel does not lock after attempts of trying to turn it. It's just very stiff but unlike my friend's 4runner, it doesn't turn enough to click into a locked position. I called the dealer about this but they kept telling me I am not turning it enough to have it make that click sound and lock into place. But honestly, the steering wheel is so stiff that I can't turn it much to even try to lock it in place.

Also, every time I started my buddy's 4runner, I would hear this electronic motor sound from his steering wheel, which seemed to unlock his steering. The same sound would be heard when I open the door and exit (after shutting off the engine). I have never heard this sound in my 4runner.

I am dumbfounded because I never noticed that I did not have this feature on my TRD Pro.

Could someone explain to me if there is a feature to activate or deactivate the steering lock? I am wondering why my TRD Pro doesn't have the same capability as my friend's 4runner.

 

Was your foot on the brake while trying to get it to lock?

also, are they both push button start?

 

No, my foot was not on the brake. And yes both are push start.

 

The steering lock on push button start Toyotas will only engage when you open the door after turning the vehicle off. To test this, put the vehicle in ignition on mode with the driver door open (don’t need to start the engine) turn the vehicle all the way off. You should get the door ding for the key still in the vehicle. Press the door ajar switch in (as if the door was closed) you should hear the steering lock motor engage within the column. Now try turning the wheel clockwise and it should lock after 30-40* of rotation.

 

Weird. Our 18 highlander has the electric motor sound (also pushbutton) which I assume is the lock engaging. And it engages. Sometimes when I start it, if the lock has weight on it, the dash will even tell you to turn the wheel, that way the lock is unloaded and the lock can open.

I would imagine the keyed version locks directly when turning the key tumbler. But come to think about it, I remember checking if my off road (keyed) actually locked. And I forgot to remember if it worked or not. I think it didnt! Now I have to go check lol.

edit: I checked, mine works

 

Thanks for the advice. So I tried this but it still doesn’t lock. Steering is just stiff. Again as I mentioned my friend has a 2021 4Runner and I have a 2022, both are push start. For my friend’s 4Runner, I turned off the engine and opened the door, I could hear the steering lock mechanism engaging and then I can turn his steering and it would click and lock (this happens even without me closing the door). For my 4Runner, when I open the door to exit, I do not hear anything activating or engaging (such like that electric motor sound I hear, something winding) like my friend’s 4Runner.

 

Sounds broke to me.

 

Op. I don't think you have a issue. Mines the same way

 

Did you figure out what caused the wheel lock to not lock?

 

The Toyota service techs told me that the steering wheel is suppose to lock after exiting the vehicle, they told me to have someone lock the car (after opening and closing the driver door) with the fob from the outside while I am remain in the car to see if the steering wheel will lock. Honestly, I haven't had time to do this with someone to test this. But it's weird cause my friend's Toyota 2021 TRD 4Runner's steering wheel is able to lock once the ignition is turned off before exiting. Honestly, the service people at Toyota straight told me they don't know much about the full functions of the new 4runners, LOL ridiculous.

 

It would appear there is no steering lock after late 2021. It's operation was in the owners manuals in 2020, but deleted in the 2023 manuals and no one with 2022 + has reported having one. One less thing to think about.