What causes the esc notice to flash on the dash on my 2009 malibu? My wife was driving it, attempting to accelerate onto the freeway and the engine just shut down momentarily, the esc flashed on the dash and the car started to accelerate normally. This has happened twice now and now my wife is afraid to go into traffic for fear that the car will quit altogether. The car only has 2500 miles on it. Any suggestions ?