Hello Peeps,
My 172 is in at the moment for this very thing. It happened quite often but tended to occur when the system was under repeated use (like snow/slippy/wet conditions). My thinking is that everytime the system (ABS ESP etc) is under strian (constanst intermitent use) the control system is receiving a feedback signal which is conflicting with the normal activation and running of the system, thus causing it to shut down and report a fault.
Now, everytime it went in with this, Renault would read the fault code and report no fault found. However, recently I took it to them with the warning lights on and got a mechanic to look at the dash while the lights were on (basically left the car running in the car park). He came out and said they would have to check all the wiring and electrics for the braking system.
It went in on Monday and I phoned them on Wednesday to see how it was going, I was told that they had stripped the system and had been in contact with Renault Uk. Renault Uk had told them a very specific route to follow to cure the problem. They then had to take it out on a test drive and if a certain thing happened they had to follow another specific route.
So from that I got the impression that Renault are aware of the problem and have a fix for it. Saying that my car is still in the garage and I havent heard a peep from them yet.
my advice would be to take it to Renault with the fault showing and get someone to see the warning lights, so you may need to take someone with you so you can leave the car running. Then insist they fx the problem, if they cant find a fault ask them to contact Renault Uk and ask them if they know what it is.
It is a bad problem as everytime those lights come on your ABS, Traction Control, and ESP are no longer working. And since the fault seems to occur when the system is in heavy use it could be quite dangerous.
Hope this helps