2002 T/C steering locked up!

ok...i need someone to tell me if im crazy or not...over the weekend i went to pull out of a parking lot and in mid turn my steering wheel locked up and a bunch of lights came on on the dashboard...i looked down at the lights thinking the van stalled out and kind of pumped the accelerator at the same time and the van surged forward...i looked up when i realized it hadnt stalled out...but was almost on top of a flatbed diesel trailer that was parked on the shoulder of the road...and by almost on top i mean seconds away from my windshield shattering!!!....instead of hitting the brakes like a damn normal person i stiffened up and braced myself and ended up flooring the accelerator in my panic....long story short i ended up with the flatbed in the front seat with me...and the cops are still amazed i completely totaled a vehicle at less than 10 miles per hour...but now that all is said and done...the steering wheel isnt locked....WHAT THE HELL????? what would have caused it to lock for just a few seconds that way????

Good lord man! Sounds like you're lucky to be around. As for why it would lock? I'm scratchin my head too. Just want to say please consider filing a complaint with the NHTSA. If they get enough complaints on a particular car and system on that car, they will start an investigation. Hope you get your answer.

How about the engine did almost stall, which would reduce rpms to near zero, loss of power assist, indicator lights on, then you hit the gas at just the right time and engine recovered? Seems odd, but that's the best thought I have.