The ignition switch steering lock, standard equipment on most vehicles since 1969 (prior to 2001) is a hazardous and obsolete auto theft device. Due to the fact that the lock mechanism is spring loaded and combined with the ignition switch (engine on/off deactivation), this device can lock a vehicle’s steering while driving and therefore is unsafe at any speed! This dangerous device, steering lock ignition switch, should be factored in as a potential cause, or principal cause, in the many ignition switch recalls, and as the cause of a multitude of accidents, both past, and present! Steering lock ignition switches, cause accidents, increase auto theft, strand motorists by malfunction, and have no merit whatsoever!
Common elements of Steering locks: sudden lockup, steering wheel locked while driving, steering locked, steering wheel won’t turn, can not unlock steering, ignition locked, ignition malfunction, ignition recalls, ignition jammed, auto key jammed, can not remove ignition key, ignition jam call locksmith,can not start car, unsafe cars.
Steering Lock
Immobilizer
By the turn of the century, and with eight years of backing from President Clinton/White House, and national DMV, ASF saw to the advent and the introduction of Immobilizer safe and modern auto theft prevention that replaces the steering lock ignition switches, and became law in Europe and Canada. US automakers have Immobilizer in full production. ASF liberates the automobile, and so today there is a choice for driving safer automobiles!
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Accidental activation of the steering lock system while the car is in motion is very dangerous.
– Japanese Automobile Manufacturing Association
ALL AMERICAN MADE AUTOS have a safety device to prevent “inadvertent lockup” of a vehicle’s steering while driving, Most Japanese auto makers ignored this U.S. de facto safety measure until it was required by NHTSA regulation in 1988. Furthermore, Japanese steering locks have dangerous on/off key, ignition tumbler activation design more prone to sudden lockup!
Working in conjunction with national DMV, ASF authored a WARNING about inadvertent lockup printed in DMV Handbooks across the nation. (also see “Letters” link).
At the turn of the century, Europe, Canada and Australia enacted law requiring the modernization of auto theft prevention technology that replaces the ignition steering lock. Since that time al all new vehicles must be equipped with “Immobilizer,” a safe and effective auto theft prevention technology to replace ignition steering locks!
Any device that can potentially lock a vehicle’s steering while driving is unsafe, unsound, hazardous and should be prohibited! So why do the Japanese, and some other foreign automakers still manufacture steering locks, and why are they now also equipping their Immobilizer vehicles with hazardous ESCL Electronic Steering Column Locks that have already been involved in numerous recalls?
Steering locks are unsafe.
Do not drive or purchase a vehicle with any type of steering lock!
Japanese key steering lock
Japanese Immobilizer ESCH steering lock
ASF was founded in 1988 with the mission to abolish steering lock production. Since that time, working with the help of President Clinton see: https://www.carsa
The majority of new American made automobiles are equipped with Immobilizer.
Immobilizer technology is now the international auto safety and theft prevention standard that all countries and auto makers should observe!
When will the DOT & NHTSA prohibit ignition steering lock production and require modern auto theft prevention regulations that meet international safety and theft prevention standards?
The United State Congress Subcommittee on Crime Stated in 1992 Anti-Car Theft Act (H.R.452): “…that the manufactures had a vested interest in seeing that the cars they built were stolen so they could replace them with new ones.