Steering wheel lock problem

[Davy Crockett]

For 2 weeks the screen warned that the steering wheel lock was engaged but since the car operated fine, I assumed this was all to do with the battery not being charged enough. ( I had a continuing problem with the clock going off which the garage put down to my not charging the battery up by only taking short trips. ) Anyway finally the car wouldn't start because the lock was on. The garage wants to replace the whole steering column and charge a lot of money. It seems unneccessary for an electrical or computer problem. Has anybody had experience of this?