Escort

• Automatic transmission
• 155,343 miles

I went out to my car, not an hour after parking it, put the key in the ignition and could not turn the key. My steering wheel was locked up.I tried wiggling the key gently while turning the steering wheel as much as it would turn. I tried rocking the car back and forth.I allowed a couple of other people to try, perhaps one had the magic touch.I tried the other key which I carry in my purse.I believe it was at about this point I even tried, with all my might, to break the lock physically by reefing on the steering wheel. All of this to no avail.

I was very lucky this "inconvenience" happened in front of my house as I can not imagine had I been out somewhere and this happened. Sheesh the towing expense.

Trying to find some sort of solution or heck i would have settled for one of the five w's
I was astonished to find alot of disgruntled Ford Owners over just this problem.

I read of one person getting an auto locksmith to come and unlock her wheel.When the locksmith arrived to see she was driving a ford he made a comment to the effect that ford and this problem were sending his children through college.

More people seemed to be disgruntled over the fact Ford seems to not want to take any responsibility, funny that. Claiming Ford knows of the faulty igintion problems.

So I am doing my best to help my wallet recover form the "joy" of Christmas, and lets face it the car is 16 years old now. I do not want to put alot of money into this vehicle, no one does.

I went to the Ford dealership nearest me and had a new key cut $6.25. didnt work.

Now I was going to search out an auto locksmith, i figure theyre cheaper than a mechanic
It was in this search that I was given the best "try this first" advice.

I took a hammer and i tapped, okay hit but not with all your might, the igintion where the key would go in. Do not hit with a key in it. It took a few of times, okay hits but my key turned GLORY BE. Seems a tumbler can get stuck when the steering wheel locks and by tapping on it you "loosen" it.