Electronic Stability Control
Accident data shows that Electronic Stability Control (ESC) can significantly reduce the likelihood of being involved in loss-of-control crashes.
The ESC system uses sensors in the vehicle to compare differences between the car’s actual course and the driver’s steering wheel input. If the onboard computer senses that loss of control is imminent, the system automatically reduces engine power, and may apply braking to individual wheels to assist the driver to bring the car back to its intended course.
The ESC software is programmed after exhaustive tests in a variety driving conditions. While many systems can be switched off, it recommended that the driver leaves the system on as emergency situations can occur at any time – often without warning.
The availability and uptake of ESC systems in new passenger vehicles is increasing rapidly. Latest figures released by the FCAI in 2009 show 65.6 per cent of new passenger cars and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were fitted with ESC – a 12.1 per cent increase on the previous year.
On 22 June 2009, the Australian Government announced the introduction of an Australian Design Rule, based on Global Technical Regulation No.8, for the mandatory fitting of ESC to passenger cars and SUVs from November 2011 (for new models) and November 2013 (for all vehicles).
The FCAI supports the ADR, as it delivers nationally consistent regulations for ESC that are harmonised with international regulations.
For the information of motorists and other stakeholders, the FCAI provides a list of vehicle models available with ESC.
VEHICLE MODELS AVAILABLE WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
| Make | Model | Standard | Optional |
| Alfa Romeo | All | X | |
| Aston Martin | All | X | |
| Audi | All | X | |
| Bentley | All | X | |
| BMW | All | X | |
| Chrysler | Sebring | X | |
| 300C | X | ||
| Crossfire | X | ||
| Voyager RT | X | ||
| Citroen | C2 VTS | X | |
| C4 Picasso | X | ||
| C4 except 1.6l | X | ||
| C5 | X | ||
| C6 | X | ||
| Dodge | Caliber | X | |
| Nitro | X | ||
| Avenger | X | ||
| Journey | X | ||
| Ferrari | All | X | |
| Fiat | Punto 1.4 and 1.3 JTDm Dynamic | X | |
| Punto 1.9 JTDm Emotion and Sport | X | ||
| Ford | All Mondeo | X | |
| All Territory | X | ||
| All Falcon | X | ||
| All Focus except CL | X | ||
| Focus CL | X | ||
| All Fiesta except CL and LX | X | ||
| Fiesta CL and LX | X | ||
| Make | Model | Standard | Optional |
| GM Holden | All VE Ute | X | |
| All VE Commodore V6 & V8 sedan | X | ||
| Statesman, Caprice V6 & V8 | X | ||
| ALL Astra | X | ||
| Vectra CDXi | X | ||
| Adventra | X | ||
| Captiva | X | ||
| Epica | X | ||
| Honda | ALL Accord | X | |
| CRV | X | ||
| Legend | X | ||
| S2000 | X | ||
| ALL Civic | X | ||
| Odyssey | X | ||
| HSV | All | X | |
| Hummer | H3 | X | |
| Hyundai | All i30 | X | |
| All i30cw Wagon | X | ||
| All Elantra | X | ||
| Getz SX | X | ||
| Getz S | X | ||
| Accent SLX | X | ||
| All Grandeur | X | ||
| All Tucson | X | ||
| All Sante Fe | X | ||
| All Sonata | X | ||
| All Tiburon | X | ||
| Hyundai iLoad CRDi | X | ||
| Hyundai iMax CRDi | X | ||
| Make | Model | Standard | Optional |
| Jaguar | ALL | X | |
| Jeep | Cherokee | X | |
| Grand Cherokee | X | ||
| Commander | X | ||
| Compass | X | ||
| Wrangler | X | ||
| Patriot | X | ||
| Kia | Magentis | X | |
| Sportage EX CRDi | X | ||
| Sportage except EX CRDi | X | ||
| Sorento EX & EX-L | X | ||
| Carnival Safety Pack | X | ||
| Grand Carnival Premium | X | ||
| Grand Carnival Pack | X | ||
| Land Rover | ALL | X | |
| Lexus | ALL | X | |
| Maserati | ALL | X | |
| Mazda | ALL | X | |
| Mercedes Benz | ALL | X | |
| MINI | ALL | X | |
| Make | Model | Standard | Optional |
| Mitsubishi | All CJ Lancer | X | |
| Pajero | X | ||
| Evo IX | X | ||
| Colt Ralliart | X | ||
| Colt Cabriolet Turbo | X | ||
| All Outlander | X | ||
| Nissan | T31 XTrail | X | |
| J10 Dualis Ti | X | ||
| J10 Dualis ST | X | ||
| 350Z Track | X | ||
| Maxima | X | ||
| Murano | X | ||
| Pathfinder except ST | X | ||
| Peugeot | 207 LeMans,, 207 GTi, 207CC Turbo | X | |
| All other 207 | X | ||
| All 307 CC | X | ||
| 308 with 1.6l non-turbo | X | ||
| All other 308 | X | ||
| All 407 | X | ||
| Partner | X | ||
| Expert | X | ||
| Porsche | ALL except GT3 | X | |
| Renault | ALL | X | |
| Rolls Royce | ALL | X | |
| Saab | ALL | X | |
| Skoda | All Roomster | X | |
| All Octavia | X | ||
| Smart | ALL | X | |
| Make | Model | Standard | Optional |
| SsangYong | Actyon Ltd Edition | X | |
| Rexton Ltd Edition | X | ||
| Kyron 3.2l | X | ||
| Stavic Ltd Edition | X | ||
| Chairman | X | ||
| Subaru | ALL | X | |
| Suzuki | Swift Sport | X | |
| Grand Vitara Prestige | X | ||
| Toyota | ALL Aurion | X | |
| All Camry 40 Series | X | ||
| Prius 20 Series i-Tech | X | ||
| All Kluger | X | ||
| Tarago 50 Series Gli | X | ||
| Tarago 50 Series GLX | X | ||
| Tarago 50 Series V6 | X | ||
| RAV4 30 Series Cruiser/Cruiser L | X | ||
| All RAV4 30 Series V6 | X | ||
| Prado 120 Series VX (Auto) | X | ||
| Prado 120 Series Grande (Auto) | X | ||
| Prado 120 Series Standard (Auto) | X | ||
| Prado 120 Series GX (Auto) | X | ||
| Prado 120 Series GXL (Auto) | X | ||
| Landcruiser 200 Series | X | ||
| Make | Model | Standard | Optional |
| Volkswagen | Polo GTI | X | |
| All Golf | X | ||
| All Jetta | X | ||
| All New Beetle | X | ||
| All Passat | X | ||
| All Touareg | X | ||
| EOS | X | ||
| Crafter | X | ||
| Volvo | ALL Volvo | X |