Steering wheel jerks bad after putting it in park

Leave it in park and try to roll the car back slightly while turning the key and jerk on the wheel. Feel free to manhandle the wheel, it can take it.

Use the key, if it wont turn try jerking the steering wheel in both directions while turning the key, sometimes when the wheel is turned when parked the key lock gets stuck due to pressure on the lock cylinder

If the key won\'t turn it suggests the steering wheel is pressing hard on the stop that locks it. Try twisting the steering wheel left and right while attempting to turn the key. That happened to me once when I parked on a hill and turned the wheels so it would bump the curb and not roll away. I had to jerk the steering wheel pretty hard before it let go. If that doesn\'t fix it you may have a real problem inside the switch where something came loose and is blocking the switch from turning. I sure hope jerking the wheel with fix this for you.

Hi Aldene, Your vehicle seems too young to have a problem with a worn key so I suggest that the problem was related to the position of the steering wheel and the tongue of the locking mechanism. Sometimes when the lock engages it is under the load of the weight of the front wheels, if they are not in the straight ahead position. A small movement of the steering wheel is usually enough to release the steering lock. Regards John

How new are your tires and when was the last time for a front end aliment?That might be it.

Do you have a warranty?If so take it back,it may have a recall.

I would say its not all the way into park.

Try jerking the steering wheel as your turn the key. Sometimes when you park and the wheel locks up you have to play with it to get it unlocked.

I would have the transaxle mount on the driver side engine compartment checked. One way to get an idea if it may be shot is to start engine, apply park brake, put transaxle in reverse and with one foot on main brake pedal and other on gas give the gas a quick tap and see if you hear a loud thump which will be the transaxle flexing the trans mount. If the rubber insulator is shot then you'll hear it.

sound like your powersteering pump or steering rack and pinion
could be bad.i would say it is your rack and pinion because if your pump was bad your steering would be real hard to turn instead of being jerky.jerking is usally the sign of a bad rack
samboiv