It seems as though the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 might not be as trail-ready as its “ZR2” badge would suggest, as numerous owners are claiming to have experienced unprovoked side-curtain airbag deployment even in moderate off-road conditions. The problem appears to stem from the truck’s rollover-detection system, which proactively triggers the side-curtain airbags to deploy if it senses that a vehicle rollover is imminent, Jalopnik reports. So far, General Motors’ response to customer complaints has been less-than-satisfactory.
For instance, one of the affected Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 owners that Jalopnik‘s David Tracy spoke to was denied his request that GM cover the expense of repair after his truck deployed its side airbags over some relatively gentle terrain. The man’s insurer estimated the cost of repairs at $6,512.74, which GM refused to pay, allegedly because of existing damage to the truck and some aftermarket wiring. The wiring, the owner says, is related to LED headlights, LED fog lights, a winch (connected directly to the battery), and an electric lock for the tailgate – in other words, things that aren’t at all likely to interfere with airbag operation so long as they’re installed correctly.
The existing damage, he says, was limited to some superficial scrapes on the rear bumper resulting from driving up a steep hill, and some light fender damage allegedly incurred at the dealership.
Given the apparent prevalence of the airbag issue, it’s unlikely that the particulars of this owner’s Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 had anything to do with the side-curtain airbag deployment. Much more likely, it’s a matter of software calibration, and even unmodified, factory-stock trucks have shown a certain propensity for the issue. Just ask Kelley Blue Book, which tested a Z71 truck from GM’s press fleet on a fire trail, allegedly while traveling “at breakneck speeds ranging from five to seven miles an hour.” (See video above.)
Those are by no means the only two reported instances of the side-curtain airbags spontaneously deploying in the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, yet as far as we know, General Motors has yet to take any sort of sweeping action to address the issue. The automaker even reportedly told one owner that they’d courteously fix his truck “just this once,” before recommending that the owner not do any more off-roading with his ZR2. Like, ever.
Owners might as well peel off those “ZR2” badges then, we reckon.
Comments
The real issue is only a few have had this issue as many more have been on tough trails and roads with no issues.
Even writers here I am sure tested these even leaping in the air at the Chevy test drive.
The question is what is different on the ones going off.
I have seen the videos and most are not doing anything crazy. But is a modification messing with the body control and changing the settings on the sensors?
To be honest I don’t think GM has the answer yet.
With today’s vehicles electrical changes can have adverse effects on the power management. The Acadia recently got LED back up bulbs that put the dash in major shut down mode. Change the bulbs no issues.
The automakers need to go to more volts but till then these management systems may be a problem.
I just bought a 2018 ZR2. If this happens to me I won’t be happy with Chevy.
Most never venture out of suburbia and mall parking lots anyway. GM probably saved a buck here not testing them in real world off road conditions. Always doing the bare minimum. Fantastic.
Check out the video on jalopnik, that’s not extreme off roading, and far from abuse.
I would think that Chevy will have to find a solution. Hope they are working on the problem.
I am sure they will find a solution. The problem is locating the issue first,
Contrary to the local troll here they did extensive testing. That is why the problem is difficult to find, these things we’re getting airborne and no bag but some are popping over a rock. Just not consistent.
It is your generation, sir, that is artificially keeping this welfare queen, dinosaur that is GM afloat. It may have escaped your attention that the same ‘built in a barn’ quality issues that plagued old GM are alive and well in new GM.
My Tacoma is coming up on 180k miles, never been in the shop. Oil changes, ya know. Built in the USA. Not in Wentzville.
As I said troll.
Thanks for confirming it.
And it is your generation which can’t figure out which bathroom to use so your input carries very little weight!!!
I like Toyota, I own a few. As a businessman with a fleet of vehicles I will say that Toyota and Chevy have both served me well. The Toyota’s are a bit more costly to maintain but both give me many miles of trouble free use. My personal vehicle is the ZR2 based in part to the limited headroom while entering and exiting the Taco and the advantages it gives in off road capabilities. As far as this airbag issue goes, I think this is a consumer failure by people who have not read their manual before operating the vehicle. It clearly states to engage the off road feature when leaving pavement. This does not mean only when in four wheel drive . The problem is many ZR2 owners are completely oblivious to this feature, which changes many characteristics of the vehicles performance, that most likely effects the airbags as well.
So of all the zr2 trucks that have been sold, there are a small number of zr2 trucks that are having this problem. Well if it’s a low percentage of trucks then I have a hard time thinking it’s the way the truck is put together. So something must be going on with the owner of the truck.
If it was 75% of the trucks then I say we got a issue.
Actually Brian it is some trucks as there are video’s of the trucks setting off the bag just doing a simple trail.
It also is only the side bags so for some reason the truck thinks it is tipping even if it is long even leaning to the side.
I too thought drive induced but ten I saw the videos.
I am sure someone did something wrong but most are not.
It can be as simple at a few trucks out if calibration.
Did you read the part about a small percentage of trucks that have the problem? So if it’s a couple of trucks then it’s no big deal compared to the amount that’s been built!
The fact remains that it shouldn’t be happening period. The video evidence proves it, and the only acceptable complaint percentage is zero.
As an owner of a zr2, I agree. GM must figure this out and fix the problem. I hope management is listing.
There is not a single product made that has a zero percent failure rate. You can aim for it and a company will fail everytime!
Only false bags are not acceptable.
For one they burn and hurt and two they can set someone back like stated $6500.
While it is a small percentage it is still more than a couple.
I would be pissed if mine went off under acceptable conditions and GM refused to do anything.
These side bags should only go off if hit in the side or if it is rolling over. Nothing more nothing less.
Most likely a failure to use the off road button in the center of the 4×4 dial. this should be turned on when off road, even in 2×4 as it changes characteristics of the truck letting the computer know to expect more severe driving and angles.
When GM spends its resources to fix a few trucks instead of focusing on the majority of the trucks that are working just fine is a joke! I’d tell you to go pound sand also!
Turn a blind eye, and you’d have GM repeat the same quality mistakes they made in the 70’s.
If there was a real problem then the rest of the Colorado trucks would be having issues also!
You’re so insular, you’ve never heard of the phrase ‘quality control’.
There’s a damn good reason you’re not managing anything at GM.
If you told me that 98% of my customers were happy then I would take that as a company. And if that meant those 2% didn’t come back then I think I’d be just fine!
Its what I have been saying all along you can never please everybody! So why bother trying your only going to end up not succeeding with those people!
The fix would be to reprogram a safety feature to make it less sensitive, something that would leave GM open to serious litigation. Also, these guys have a tendency to exaggerate “moderate off roading”. I once knew a Raptor owner who made an insurance claim because his truck had water damage up to the arm rest. He said that he was washing his truck, hooked the hose to it’s mirror while the water was off, got distracted and someone turned the hose back on and it flooded the truck. He was wheelin’ and got stuck crossing a stream I’m sure.
I’ve been kicking around buying a ZR2 but am now leary. Not that this problem has occurred. I’ve heard it before. A few years ago Jeep had the same problem with trail rated Cherokees. The difference is Jeep recalled over 100K of them to adjust the rollover angle. Same problem but at least Jeep identified these off-road vehicles as needing a fix and fixed them. If Chevy wants to sell more ZR2s and their supposedly more Off road capable Bison in January they better admit the problem and at least offer a fix. I’d be willing to pay extra for a fix since I’ve heard nothing but great things about this truck. Except of course for the side air bags.
Love my ZR2,
I own a ZR2 and love this truck. Talking with other ZR2 owners I find it interesting that none I have met have read their manual or understand their truck. Most had no idea that the truck has an off road mode, I’m not talking about the 4 wheel drive but instead the center of the 4 wheel drive knob. Anytime going off road, even in 2 wheel drive, this should be engaged. It changes attributes about the truck and let’s the computer system know the truck is off road. I’m not sure but would think that this may effect sensitivity of the airbags as well. My truck has been on class 4 rated trails and lean angles up to 24% so far with no issues.
Maybe this is the problem which means there is no problem