A system and method for detecting a fault in a pitch rate sensor onboard a vehicle. Signals, including a steering wheel angle, a yaw rate, a roll rate, a longitudinal acceleration, a lateral acceleration, and a vehicle speed, are processed in a controller to validate a pitch rate signal. Upon detection of a fault in the pitch rate signal, the system and method will determine a process in which to minimize negative effects of the pitch sensor fault. The system and method will then direct the controller to select a process, such as a direct shutdown, a slow shutdown or replace a signal, in a relevant control system, based on the determination.