Powertrain torque control system

A vehicle comprising:

• an electric machine configured to generate torque to propel the vehicle;
• an axle having (i) a differential configured to receive torque from the electric machine and (ii) first and second half shafts configured to deliver torque from the differential to first and second wheels, respectively;
• a locker configured to (i) activate to lock the differential such that the first and second half shafts are restricted to rotate in unison and (ii) deactivate to unlock the differential such that the first and second half shafts are not restricted to rotate in unison;
• and
• a controller programmed to,
• in response to (i) activation of the locker, (ii) displacement of at least one of the first and second half shafts or the first and second wheels according to a set of conditions, and (iii) a torque command to the electric machine to a desired value resulting in a torque distribution to the first and second half shafts exceeding a torque capacity of at least one of the first and second half shafts, truncate the torque of the electric machine to less than the desired value such that the torque distribution to the first and second half shafts does not exceed the torque capacity of the first or second half shafts, and
• in response to (i) deactivation of the locker, (ii) displacement of at least one of the first and second half shafts according to the set of conditions, and (iii) the torque command to the electric machine to the desired value, control the torque of the electric machine to the desired value.