The ESC light alone only means the ESC is turned off, not that there is a specific problem.
ESC attempts to get the car stabilized by manipulating the brakes and the horse power/torque output of the engine by manipulating the valve timing and the accelerator pedal. It might also manipulate the transmission. No ESC on cars without VVT. Not the sane as Traction Control
You have to remember the car is really a computer network on wheels, even the brake lights are computer controlled/
How many times have you seen "there is ONLY 1 minor code"?

Try a GoOgle "how does electronic stability control work". Lots of stuff there.

 

I'll try that. Both baffled and fascinated by the idea that valve timing would be used for stability control. Want to understand it.

I was always beyond skeptical when owners claimed that replacing VVT valves fixed an ESC problem, unless there was a VVT code. It does seem completely plausible that a VVT problem would hobble the engine, thus interfering with proper ESC operation.

 

The other way around. The ESC uses the VVT to control the torque.