An automotive door system includes a hinge that supports a door. A switch provides a first input in response to a user request to automatically open or close the door. An output shaft of a power drive module is connected to the door and a gearbox to provide an output torque that corresponds to a desired motion of the door about the hinge. A brake assembly is connected to a shaft member and has a normally closed position in which the shaft member is grounded to the housing and an open position that corresponds to one of a door closing mode and a door opening mode. A position sensor detects rotation of the output shaft and provides a second input in response thereto, which corresponds to a manually initiated movement of the door that exceeds a slip torque of the brake assembly in the normally closed position.