Anti theft system has ignition locked up

Hi, my name is Devin. I am an auto repair expert with the Car Genius team here at RepairPal. I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble with your vehicle. It sounds like the anti-theft system in your Escape has been triggered, which can lock the ignition and steering. You can try to reset the system by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes, but be aware that you might lose radio presets and other memory settings. If the problem persists, there could be an issue with the key, ignition switch, or the anti-theft module. If you need more advice, have any other questions about your vehicle, or would like to get connected to a RepairPal Certified shop near you, we have you covered. Give us a call at 877-913-1554, and we will happily help you out!