Dash lights and gauges on 2008 ford Escape turn off while driving?

While driving my vehicles dash lights and gauges turn off and drop to 0. If I hit or tap the dash everything goes back to normal. If the vehicle is shut off in this state it will not start unless I hit the dash in the 'start' position to get thr lights on then turn it to off then it starts fine. Becoming increasingly worse. What could be causing this?

Probably some power cable problem - you will have to take the dashboard partly apart, and check the connections.

Plug at the back of the instrument pod is loose or corroded

Short circuit somewhere. You'll have to remove the dash & start checking the wiring.