A magnetic flux is sensed within a gap at a first location between two portions of a vehicle body/structure and a signal generated responsive thereto controls an element of the vehicle, wherein the magnetic flux is responsive to a disturbance of the vehicle body/structure. In one embodiment, the first location is proximate to the A-pillar, B-pillar or C-pillar. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the magnetic flux is generated by a coil at a different second location. A gap coil is located within a gap between portions of the vehicle body/structure for generating or sensing magnetic flux. A plurality of gap coils of various orientations provide for multi-axis sensitivity. In another aspect, a magnetic crash sensing system comprises a first coil at a first location, and a plurality of magnetic sensors at a plurality of corresponding second locations.