Steering Wheel Locked

[bobg1726]

This morning, Friday 1/30/26, I went to start my 2025 Mach-E GT, and found the steering wheel locked. I'm not even sure if the car even started.

I bought the car in March 2025, and it has 2,770 miles.

It has been parked in my garage, with a 43% State of Charge, for about 10 days.

I live in Northeastern PA, and it has been extremely cold all week. This morning it was 5 degrees F.

I plugged into my FORD Level 2 charger to see if that would get things going and it didn't seem to want to accept the charge.

My guess, the issue is related to the 12-volt battery. Only a guess!

Has anyone experienced a similar issue?

Thanks,

Bobg1726

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[RickMachE]

Start, shift to D. Then you know it started...

 

[bobg1726]

The car wouldn't shift from Park

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Is the car throwing any error messages?

Put a charger on the LVB (12v) and see if that makes any difference. If it doesn’t, have it towed (flatbed) to the dealer. If it does start and shift, get the 12v state of health checked

 

[bobg1726]

Thanks Bill.
I plan on calling the dealer as soon as they open. I'm at work and can't do anything myself. I hope they send a mechanic to my house, and I can meet them there.
Thanks for the "flatbed" tow suggestion if needed.

 

[bobg1726]

The dealer said because I plugged in and then attempted to start the car in this sequence was the reason for my issue with the steering wheel locking up and the car not starting.
I had my wife start the car, while NOT plugged in, and it started, the steering wheel moved freely and everything seemed normal.
I guess they were right.
Sorry for the false alarm.

 

[noway]

Can be a little bit confusing. Pugging in while car is "on"/"READY" you will be able to turn the steering wheel and power steering will be kept onn. It you turn it off and turn it on while plugged in it will not turn on the power steering, but it should still unlock the steering wheel and you will ble to turn it with some force. The gear-selector is regardless always locked in park while plugged in. If car is "on" while plugged on it wilk always go into ACC-mode when plugged out (red battery, 12V drain mode), so needs a restart again for unlocking the gear selector

 

[bobg1726]

Thanks NOWAY, I appreciate your comments.

 

[RickMachE]

If you had looked at the Start button, you would have seen a blinking light instead of a solid light I think. Unplug, then push the button again, and the light goes solid.

 

[bobg1726]

Thank you RickMachE for the insight.

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