My steering wheel also does not lock, but I get no warning message per the Owner's Manual. My next service is soon so I'll ask the dealer about it them.

 

Thanks....
I don't get any warning message either.....
Next oil change I'll bring it up also....

 

Is anyone else having this problem?

 

Well, can't say as I've ever tried or checked to see if it's locked. My steering is so incredibly stiff when the engine is off that I never tried to turn it much because....well...the bloody thing won't turn without herculean effort, and I'm no hercules.

Next time I'm out today I'll see if I can turn it enough to see if it actually locks in some way.

 

if the car has a ignition switch in the column it will lock when you remove the key and turn the wheel.for push button start cars there is no steering lock

 

Thanks....
The SX is a push button start.....
Just seems strange that it does not lock electronically....

 

It doesn't matter if it doesn't lock! There is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steering rack. It is drive-by-wire (the steering wheel basically turns a variable resistor, which sends a signal to the computer, where the signal is analyzed and fed to the electric motor driving the steering rack. So even if someone broke into your car and "hot-wired" the engine to start they still would not be able to steer the car (unless they could figure out the wiring for the steering as well).

BTW: The accelerator pedal is the same way (no mechanical connection to the throttle - only electric gremlins).

 

you're correct about the throttle but the steering is not by wire on the SX. if you tug on the wheel with the engine off and the car off the front wheels will turn but it is stiff as hell. in the event of the EPS failing it's gonna be a real bear to steer.

 

that's a pretty close picture of me.....the bear I mean.

 

I took my 2017 EX to the dealer yesterday for my annual safety inspection and to have a service action complied with. While there I discussed the steering wheel lock issue with my service technician. I showed him the warning messages in the Owner's Manual related to steering wheel lock and unlock failures (pages 4-88 and 4-89). I also showed him the relevant sections of the Electronic Troubleshooting Manual (ETM), including schematics, connector diagrams, and parts location pictures that all show an electronic steering column lock. I then demonstrated how the steering wheel in my car could be turned without locking with the ignition off. As expected, this was the first time he had heard of this issue. We both then went into the showroom and checked the steering wheel lock function on several models and trim levels of cars. On none of the cars with push-button start would the steering wheel lock. As a result, he promised to open a tech case with Kia USA and report back when I picked up my car. His report from Kia was that no current models with push-button start have steering wheel locks. He suspects, and I agree, that the documentation I have could be a carry-over from an earlier model or describe equipment required in other markets (I believe the European Union requires steering wheel locks).

 

Thanks Karl.......