BRAKE APPLICATION DETECTION

Systems and methods for detecting a brake event of a vehicle. One system includes an electronic control unit configured to receive a plurality of vehicle signal inputs, wherein the plurality of vehicle signal inputs includes an engine torque, and estimate a wheel torque of a rear wheel of the vehicle based on one or more of the plurality of vehicle signal inputs. The electronic control unit is also configured to determine a difference between the estimated wheel torque and the engine torque, and, in response to the difference being negative and a fault being detected in a brake switch associated with a brake of the rear wheel, activating a brake light of the vehicle.