A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) used for detecting lift of a wheel includes a passive wheel lift detector (58) that generates a passive wheel lift signal, an active wheel lift detector (60) that generates an active wheel lift signal, and an integrated wheel lift detector (62) coupled to the passive wheel lift detector (58) and the active wheel lift detector (60). The integrated wheel lift detector (62) generates a final wheel lift signal in response to the passive wheel lift signal and the active wheel lift signal. The final wheel lift signal may be used to control a safety device such as a rollover prevention system.