This happened to me today and I freaked out when I read that someone had to pay $650.00 to get it fixed. Happened another time with a BMW so I knew it was possible to fix myself. I found some info from 2004 posting but it worked.
If your key won't turn in the ingnition and steering wheel is locked:

1.Press on the brake
2.Turn the steering wheel which ever way it will budge and pull really hard
3.At the same time your pulling the wheel turn the ignition and the steering wheel should all of sudden give.

If it doesn't work try pulling the opposite direction, it took me a few times. I surprisingly had pull really hard but it worked. From the beggining my steering wheel gave a tiny bit in each direction giving me the indication that it could recoil if it got it right. If your wheel is completely locked and won't move in either direction this may not work. It's worth trying versus $650.00 or whatever the dealer tries to jack you for. A new ignition, key fab, and new locks lol! good luck, this was on a 99 GS300

 

Hasn't happend yet lol...

 

?! this is nothing new, this is the steering lock mechanism to avoid cars being stolen. i don't know about the 99 manual but on newer lexus it states about it clearly.

just jiggle the steering wheel and turn the ignition and it will work. whoever pays 650 bucks to get this fix...

 

?!?!?!? I thought most cars did this? Thanks for the info...but I think 99.9% of Cl members know this.