A method and a device for controlling the drive unit of a vehicle are described, which make it possible to suppress faults during controlling. On a first level, at least one first control variable is formed for controlling at least one actuator of the drive unit. On a second level, the correct formation of the at least one first control variable on the first level is verified using at least one selected variable. The at least one first control variable for controlling the at least one actuator is influenced by the second level if the at least one selected variable assumes a predefined value or lies within a predefined range.