Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 could have airbag problems

It looks like the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 might not be as ready as its "ZR2" badge suggests, as many owners claim to have undergone an undisclosed side curtain airbag deployment, even in moderate off-road conditions. The problem seems to come from the truck's rollover detection system, which proactively triggers the deployment of the side airbags if it detects an imminent reversal of the vehicle, Jalopnik reports. Until now, General Motors' response to customer complaints has been less than satisfactory.

For example, one of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 owners involved JalopnikDavid Tracy denied that he had asked GM to cover the repair costs after his truck rolled out his side airbags on relatively smooth terrain. The man's insurer estimated the cost of the repairs at $ 6,512.74, which GM refused to pay, apparently because of damage to the truck and some replacement cables. According to the owner, the wiring is linked 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 do not may not interfere with airbag operation as long as they are installed properly.

The existing damage, he says, was limited to superficial scratches on the rear bumper due to a steep climb and slight damage to the wings by the dealer.

Given the apparent importance of the airbag problem, it is unlikely that the details of this owner's Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 have anything to do with the deployment of the side airbags. It is much more likely to be software calibration, and even unmodified warehouse trucks have shown some propensity for this problem. Ask Kelley Blue Book, who tested a Z71 truck in GM's fleet of presses on a fire track, allegedly traveling "at dizzying speeds of five to seven miles per hour."

These are by no means the only two reported cases of spontaneous deployment of side airbags in the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. Yet, to our knowledge, General Motors has not yet taken radical steps to solve this problem. The automaker reportedly told a homeowner to repair his truck "just once" before recommending the owner not to go off-road with his ZR2. Like always.

The owners could take off these badges "ZR2" then, we estimate.