I had a '97 Ranger and it took about eight years for the situation where I couldn't turn the ignition key because of the position/location of the steering wheel. Meaning I had to move the steering wheel, something with the locking mechanism.

I got my '09 Ford Escape 11/08 and it's happened twice already! Anybody else run into this too?

 

I take it you were able to get the key to turn eventually, correct? This is normal on almost all vehicles if their wheels are turned a little bit, or there is a slight bind in the steering wheel when it was locked. It shouldn't be any big problem. I've had it happen on GM, Toyotas, and my Fords.
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Dave

 

My 2003 Ranger does this. If the steering wheel is turned somewhat when the ignition is turned off, it sometimes causes the ignition to bind. Turn the steering wheel a bit to relieve the bind before turning the key to start the truck.

And yes, this has also happend on my 2009 Escape.

 

Yes, I've read this to be a very common problem on "all" vehicles just not sure about brand new ones! When it first happened on my '97 Ranger, I knew nothing about what was causing it. It was actually a tow truck driver that asked to try to turn the key himself and it turned! He had grabbed the steering wheel to hoist himself in. Atcually, at first, he didn't know what he had done but then mentioned the steering wheel lock.

 

try parking with the wheels straight.my Focus will do this with wheel turned sometimes as will

 

on two occasions now I have had trouble getting my key into the ignition on my 09 Escape. It's enough that I have to double check that I am using the correct key (as I also own a Ford Fusion with the same shape key fob). The key won't go into the ignition at all under normal attempts. I then have to force it a bit and the key finally goes in. My truck is only 1 month old, so I find this kind of odd. I don't have an issue turning the key once it is in the ignition, it's just difficult to get into the ignition at times.

 

That too, numerous times! It's at a awkward angle or something. You have to hold the key at the very end and rotate it a bit till it happens to slide in.

This would surely not make a good getaway vehicle for a criminal!

 

WPTSKI, that steering wheel bind with the ignition key is very common with anything that has a locking steering column. Every car or truck I've had since mid 70's has done it. Some times they do it & some times they don't.
JFUSION, if you have a second key, try to see if it hangs up like the other key. If it hangs up too, there could be a problem with the lock cylinder. If your second key doesn't hang up like the other one then there could be a slight difference in the key. Take it back to the dealer and get them to make it work right. Like you said, it's only a month old. It shouldn't be doing this and the warranty should cover it.

 

Adding to this old thread.

A few weeks ago I inserted the key into the ignition, turned the key and nothing. Panic set in! I moved the steer wheel, jiggled the gearshift lever, turned the key again and it started.

Today, I couldn't the key into the ignition. Fiddled a bit, it went in but wouldn't turn, had to move the steering wheel a few times before the key would turn.

I have to say again that this would surely not make a good getaway vehicle for a criminal!

 

put the park brake on like the manual said and you wont have these problems.

 

Oh yeah! Explain please.