05 Escape Steering Wheel Lock

Our escape has a problem when sometimes the ignition key cannot turn due to too much pressure from the steering wheel on the lock assembly. Does anybody have any comments or cures to keep this from happening? Thanks

Center the wheel before turning off the ignition?

Unless something is defective in your column, that should help.

On the top of the steering column is a little plastic plug that you can pop out then insert a key or other straight object which will release the steering lock when all else fails.