JT in NJ (151.204.29.220) - Sat Mar 1 20:58:19 2008

My 2001 Escape won't turn on, the key goes into the ignition, but won't turn the cylinder. I took it out to the hardware, came home and parked it and the next time I wanted to go out, the key would not turn the ignition and the wheel is in the locked position. Any suggestions or ideas on how to solve this problem?

Reply #1 Cc (32.144.55.110) - Tue Jun 3 20:10:49 2008

sorry for the grammatical and spelling mistake; I'm doing this from my phone and it automatically changes some things. But, the exact same thing happened to me less then an hour ago. My car is less then a year old and it locked up when I went to turnit. The steering wheel, brakes and clutched were locked, I couldn't do a thing. I called the dealership as well as my cars company and they told me they didn't know and to bring it in. This is a lie because after reasearching the problem on my phone I realized that it is a common and simple problem caused by turning the steering wheel at too much of an angle or hitting the curb. The solution is simple but may take a while. You must turn, wiggle and shake the steering wheel while at the same time trying to start the car by turning the key in the ignition.

Reply #2 AMP (75.132.13.41) - Fri Aug 22 17:26:28 2008

Daughter's 2002 was parked for a week on the driveway. Now neither or her dealer issued keys will turn in the ignition. Steering wheel is completely locked. Dealer gave the "try wiggling the steering wheel while you try to turn the ignition" tip. It does not work, as the wheel is more locked up than the ignition! (That can wiggle a bit.)

CHECK OUT THE FORD FOCUS FORUM ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS!

ps AFTER READING THAT AND TRYING SEVERAL THINGS, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE TOW AND DEALER CHARGES!

FINAL FIX? RUBBER MALLET TO BOTTOM OF STEERING COLUMN UNDER IGNITION KEY SLOT AREA. it unlocked the steering wheel and then the key would turn.

IS THIS A STEERING COLUMN OR IGNITION PROBLEM???

Reply #3 Colleen (70.70.38.222) - Sun Aug 31 18:26:00 2008

A few days ago while waiting in my 2005 Ford Escape...I had my radio on...when I went to start the car...it wouldn't start...after sitting for about 10 minutes...it did start...from that point on after sitting over night I'd go to start it...it seemed to be a little slow turning over...but has started until now....it won't start....the lights and everything are working fine...it's just that it won't even turn over...at first it sounded like a battery problem...now it makes a clicking noise.

I just bought this vehicle from a Ford Dealership...they were really pushy about me buying the extended warranty...I wondered because I refused the warranty...if they would do something to this vehicle to punish me for not buying the warranty...

Reply #4 george abbott (24.187.178.106) - Wed Oct 1 20:03:26 2008

2005 ford escape no start has fuel pressure and glod spark wants to kick but no go any help? thanks

Reply #5 juje_boy (124.106.145.141) - Sun Dec 21 05:11:30 2008

same problem here just fixed it while ago, im not sure yet what caused it , , i have my ford escape stuck overnight due to ignition problem.. it does not allow my key(s) to switch to start the engine.. i think it's a cylindrical problem... kinda frustrating. i guess i will have the cylindrical ignition checked.

Reply #6 Humbolt1010 (72.173.131.217) - Sat Dec 27 20:33:08 2008

I have a 2001 Escape. I have been trying to start my car today, but the key will not turn and the steering wheel is locked. I live 20 miles from the nearest town, so I will try the rubber mallot and wiggling the steering wheel but has anyone else come up with another solution?

Reply #7 Sherry (205.188.117.68) - Sun Jan 18 14:42:11 2009

I also have a 2005 Ford Escape, that will not start My car is just like Colleen. It started out withstalling problems, now it will not start at all. What can I do?

I hve the car in the shop now and they my computer is not sending any signals and I need a new computer. After buying new computer the car drove for two hours and would not start again.

They say the new computer now needs o be replaced. What is going on. Please Help me get my car started.

Reply #8 L. ROMERO (170.235.0.112) - Fri Jan 30 08:50:41 2009

I HAVE A 2005 ESCAPE AND ONE MORNING IT WOULDN'T START. GOT A NEW BATTERY AND FUEL FILTER. IT STARTED BUT RAN REAL RUFF. WAS TOLD THE CATALITIC CONVERTER WAS BAD BOUGHT THAT AND HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC. HE SAID THERE IS ALOT MORE WRONG- NEEDS COILS, PLUGS, MAYBE A COMPUTER. I ONLY HAVE 83, 000 MILES ON THE ESCAPE. THE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD COST A COUPLE OF THOUSAND DOLLARS AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALER. DOES ANYONE ELSE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?

Reply #9 Vickie Rusnak (68.198.159.72) - Sat Feb 14 22:59:53 2009

I also have a 2005 Ford Escape. It started at 70, 000 miles acting funky. My mechanic changed the sensors first and the car worked beautifully for another 20, 000 miles now at 91, 000 it shut off at 60 miles per hour on Interstate 95 in New York and I was in the center lane (very horrifying when there is an 18 wheeler behind you), the dashboard lit up like xmas. I placed the car in park, when I started it back up it ran rough and when it idled below 2 it shuttered even worst. My Mechanic stated that its only working on No 1, 3 & 5 cylinders, at first he thought it was simple the coils will need to be changed. After doing so it was still running rough, we found that the computer needs to be replaced. After reading everyone's complaint on this site I have deemed that ford has a recall issue and they know about it but refuse to admit it. And we the conumers are the ones that are paying for it. I will junk the car but I will write a letter to Ford telling them what I do think of their 2005 Ford Escape Computer issue. Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen

Reply #10 Bruce Laubon (174.151.119.61) - Sun Mar 1 14:46:35 2009

My 2008 Ford Escape is doing the same thing. Key goes in sometimes the key won't go in, steering wheel won't unlock. My wife was stuck a few miles from where we are staying in Florida on a Sunday when no dealers are open. Had to ride an old bicycle to where she was at and after a few to many minutes I finally got the car to start..

Reply #11 John F. (96.242.92.113) - Fri Mar 13 05:46:01 2009

I have a 2001 Ford Escape. I can insert the key but it will not turn tried shaking the wheel but to no avail is there anything else I can do, don't really want to be towed, its about 45 miles from the dealer.

Reply #12 GT (206.221.16.10) - Thu Mar 26 20:04:25 2009

I am dealing with the CPU issue on my 2005 escape described above - supposedly the plugs are causing the coils and CPU to fry. WEll, my REAL bummer is this is not what Ford diagnosed and I've smoked TWO PCMs ($1000 in parts and labor) just getting to this new diagnosis of plugs, coils, AND yet another PCM. I talked with Ford corporate service today - no recall is coming. I've bought a 1998 Explorer, a 2001 F250, a 2004 F150, a 2005 Escape, and a 2007 F350. After eating almost $3000 in repair bills, this will be the LAST Ford I own. Karma sucks, FMC - without customers, you have no company. Own up to your mistakes and salvage your reputaion.

Reply #13 Dreamingkat (68.93.83.39) - Mon May 11 07:38:51 2009

Apparently, according to my local Ford Dealer, the problem with the computer can be solved by getting computer updates regularly. But they'll only do that if I get the oil changes there AND remember to tell them to check for computer updates myself.

I had some pretty scary times - the gas engine on the Escape as died 3 times in the last 18 months and 47, 000 miles that I've owned the car, all when the car is traveling at highway speeds (50, 65, 75). The engine fails to turn over on after that. It flashes "Stop Safely Now" when it fails, and gives no indication of the problem when it won't start again later.

I'll be writing Ford a nasty gram too.

Reply #14 Texmex (32.165.107.196) - Mon Jun 8 10:23:48 2009

While driving from Waco Texas to Dallas I notice that my RPMs started to go crazy (the RPMs were going up as the speed was going down.) I then pulled over on the nearest exit that I could find and shut my car off. I waited about two minutes and tried to start my car only to have the keys not be able to turn and the steering wheel looked in place. I have a 2009 ford escape (brand new and not but two weeks old.)

Reply #15 starrk (70.52.126.78) - Mon Jun 8 13:31:45 2009

I had a similar experience.... only had car for 3 months. First time it would not start they said it was a fuse, changed it and would then start. Now it has happened again after a few weeks.....

I told them to keep it until they fix it!!! something has to be causing the fuses to pop and the starter not engage...

I think it is wiring or starter.

Reply #16 Ford Escape (173.55.148.222) - Thu Jul 30 01:43:38 2009

I'm having a similar problem to #3 Colleen & #7 Sherry;

It started with an occasional problem where the engine wouldn't turn when I started... After 2-3 tries, the car would eventually start.

Then one day, it wouldn't start at all... it would chug a bit, then die. I left it about 48 hours and a friend came over & started it after a few tries. He noted that it was idling extremely low -- around 300rpm.

Ever since then, no problems... till 3 days ago. I left the hazards on about 45 minutes but with everything else turned off. Came out to start it and it made a completely different sound. No chugging... just clicks. Lights come on, but just clicking. So a jump start worked. But 24 hours later, I had the same issue. Had to jump start again and let it run about an hour. Then 24 hours later, it won't start again. It only idles around 300rpm.

Sounds like a dead battery on this round, but not sure about the first issue. It may be two separate issues. Any ideas?

Reply #17 Prosper Miller (66.56.50.16) - Thu Sep 10 16:23:37 2009

I have a 2005 Ford Escape I was driving down the street and all of a sudden the car lights came on and the car shut down. I had the battery and the starter checked. The mechanic does not know what is wrong. PLEASE ADVISE.

THANKS

Reply #18 robert d (207.91.18.70) - Mon Sep 28 13:28:12 2009

have 2005 escape key will not come out of switch some times. other times i put key in ignition and it makes a sizzling noise and cannot get transmission out of park. took it to a dealer and key came out everytime, they thought i was nuts. took car home and couldnt get key out. gerrrrrrr.

Reply #19 clarence reeves (84.169.191.143) - Wed Oct 28 16:00:23 2009

I have a 2005 Ford Escape. We are in Germany. I have noticed that when I go to start the car, it hesitates. It does start though. I turned the car off, and the car started making a clicking noice like something electronic was on still. I did it once more, and viewed my instrument panel. I noticed my fuel needle going crazy. Could this maybe be caused by a faulty computer in the vehicle.. SOMEONE HELP

Reply #20 KfromOttawa (99.246.135.103) - Fri Nov 20 21:45:04 2009

Hey everyone. I picked up a new 2009 escape in the Ford employee pricing program, that was end of Aug '09.

In late October, the car wouldn't start after I had not used it for two days. I had a neighbour boost it, and I recharged it, but next day, same problem. After a second boost, I arranged to take it in. Paid for the dealership rental car (sort of loaner), and, they reported later that day they fixed it, with a new battery.

Well, Nov 20 and after a few days of not starting the car, i.e. from having a cold, then tried to go get some groceries, and sure enough, just clicks. Just as before, lots of clicks, lights do come on, but just clicks.

From this forum, I am seeing that there are seemingly a fair number of electrical issues like this. Troubling. Will attempt to get the car back in, and like another user mentioned, keep it till you fix it. Anyone have an idea what it really is.

K

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