First time this happened to me was on a 98 ranger when it was about 1 month old. I also haven’t seen this kind of problem on Fords... lately, although it does happen. Last year alone I probably had to do this to more than dozen GMs my self. This kind problem can also happen for other reasons, like the steering wheel lock mechanism paw binding internally or the lock cylinder binding in the bore of the lock housing. I should have suggested first checking for TSBs, but like you, I don’t think this is common enough on the Blue ovals. | 
