A method for error detection in a drive mechanism, having a multiphase electric motor and a converter connected upstream thereof, wherein the converter controls voltages of individual phases of the electric motor, and individual phase currents in the individual phases of the electric motor each extend periodically. The method includes measuring a phase current of the electric motor at a predetermined point of a respective period, simultaneously varying a voltage that is associated with the measured phase current and evaluating a measured value of the measured phase current as a function of the voltage that is associated with the measured phase current.