Might need a new starter?
 

We have a 2014 Ford Escape we kept after our youngest daughter died two years ago and I had co-signed for her. Anyways a couple days ago the car was dead so I put in a new battery and when I went to start it all was fine and drove it some as I had also changed the oil. Two days later the engine would not crank, everything else worked, fan stereo, lights, ETC? My scan tool showed no codes and my Autoenginuity software showed nothing either? So I downloaded software just for Fords and ordered a Ford cable to go to the ODB2 port but then last night I remembered when Julia had her 1974 914 2L at times the starter would seize and if you wacked it with a rubber hammer the car would start! So this morning I went out before the temps jumped up and tapped the solenoid and the started with a very long 1/2 inch extension and went a tried to start. Bingo it started right up! Soooooo I'll take a look at Rock Auto later on to see how bad the damage would be or just carry that chunk of steel with me?

I would replace it, not if, but when it fails again you'll be kicking yourself. May sound obvious but parts do not heal themselves. It's already let you down once. I'm pretty hard core with things like that. Like a flat tire, battery or similar if it doesn't work you ain't movin. Buy OE or OEM, it's good insurance.

The very thought of being stuck at the side of the road and left to the mercy of whomever comes along keeps me on top of things like this.
I'm with asphaltgambler on this one. Flat tires or batteries are not going to way lay my plans. Starters would be a very close second to those two.

Advance Auto has Carquest for $125. I'm not that big on the brand given a couple of failures right out of the box but on the upside if it's bad they are right there vs. Rock Auto.

Motorcraft is well over $300.

Edit: What those guys say above. Definitely change it. It's that same scenario as banging on your fuel tank to get the fuel pump to start. Limited time before kaput.

See if you can find a local starter rebuild shop and have them go through the starter. Sounds like the solenoid to me.

Got a local sourced rebuilt starter today so when it cools down some I'll swap it out. The replacement Ford would require a second mortgage on the house!