Hi I am new here and live in Alberta Canada. My problem is my 2005 Ford Escape LTD which has been great but now that it is colder here I noticed today that when I went to push the button on my shifter it was stuck and took awhile to get it able to move into reverse. I remember this happening last winter as well and it was fine all summer, anyone have this problem? I have a centre consold gearshift (if that is what it is called,forgive me I am a woman and am better at shopping lol )

 

No one?

 

Not sure if the button is surrounded by plastic, but if it is ,somtimes a little shot of silicone spray will help.

 

Just to let you know it could be the first signs that you brake light switch is going! You will find in time it happens more and more often, till it will not come out of park. Next time it happens have some one go to the back of the truck and if you brake light are not coming on when it will not come out of gear, if that is the case, its the brake light switch almost for sure.

They are around 50 dollars and it takes two minutes to switch it out. You will find it located under the dash behind the brake pedal. Unplug the wire harness and turn it left or right and then it pulls out. Push new one and twist it the opposite way the old one came out, if not sure practice with broken one taking it in and out, so you Do not damage new one. Bingo just saved over two hundred buck from dealer.

 

After someone spilled a drink onto our shifter (in a Focus) it was difficult, especially as the temperature would drop. You may consider (a little more than Hanky's suggestion) to disassemble the shifter, clean it and then use the silicone. I can't imagine the Escape is much different. Sorry I haven't research that procedure to refer you to.