A motor control system for controlling a brushless electric motor of a power operated actuator of a closure panel of a vehicle and method of operating the control system are provided. The control system includes a vector control system configured to receive a torque current based on a measured angular velocity of the motor and current of each of the phases and determine corresponding stationary reference frame voltages. The vector control system outputs pulse width modulation signals to the motor. A vector torque current limiter couples to the vector control system and the motor and is configured to determine the torque current drawn, receive the measured angular velocity and determine whether there is a reduction of the measured angular velocity and detects a pinch event and reduces the torque current in response to determining there is a reduction of the measured angular velocity of the brushless electric motor.