Ford Escape stuck in neutral

Answer 1

If you cannot shift with your foot on the brake, your vehicle's neutral shift interlock may have failed. This is a safety device that prevents the vehicle from being put in gear unless the driver's foot is on the brake. This system is an electronic circuit, and a failure anywhere in the system can prevent you from shifting into gear from either Park or Neutral.

Newer Escapes have an override built in. You will need a small flat-bladed screwdriver to activate the override.

To the right of the shifter handle is a small rectangular access cover, approximately 1 cm by 0.75 cm. Remove this cover. Inside is a small intermittent switch. Put your foot on the brake. Use the point of the screwdriver to depress the switch and, with the switch depressed, attempt to shift the vehicle into gear. If the vehicle does shift into gear, take it to the dealer for service; your shift interlock will probably require a fuse or relay replacement. If the vehicle still will not shift, the transmission system may be malfunctioning. Contact your dealer for service.

Details and diagrams of the neutral shift interlock override and its operation can be found in your owner's manual.