An apparatus (10) and method for sensing a vehicle crash condition includes a transponder (76a) responsive to interrogation signals for providing response signals and a transceiver (70a) for transmitting interrogation signals to the transponder (76a) and receiving response signals from the transponder (76a). The transponder (76a) is affixed to a first structure (36) of the vehicle (12) and the transceiver (70a) is affixed to a second structure (64) of the vehicle (12) at a location spaced apart from the first structure (36). A characteristic of the response signals changes in response to a vehicle crash condition that causes relative movement between the first and second structures (36 and 64). The apparatus (10) also includes a controller (34) for monitoring the received response signals to determine whether a vehicle crash condition is occurring.