I have the same question and problem that a guy asked for help with on another site:my 2010 Escape Hybrid Limited is doing something new the past few months: get in the truck, depress brake pedal, turn key to start and release, but sometimes the "Ready to drive" green light icon doesn't come on (can't drive the vehicle, all the other accessories and functions are on - typical of the "Run" position). One or two tries later, it works and off we go - no warning lights illuminated on the cluster. Can go a week with no issue, then it will happen again. Before I bring it in for diagnostic at the Ford dealer - anybody here got any ideas/things I should look into first? temperature related?

Solenoid or key problem?

 

Same exact thing happened to me, on the same exact car. Ran a few checks and it seemed to be the 12v battery being low.
Originally I though it was the alternator, but I tried recharging the battery with a charger, and then I noticed it was below 12v so replaced it, and the issue didn't happen since then. I didn't use the car that much, but so far it didn't happen.
Hope you fix it.

 

Yes, initially replaced battery solved the problem for a while. Later came back. Another tread said push the key inward while turning to start! That works all the time.

 

Thank You for the update.