MODEL
Chevrolet Colorado Zr2 Bison Safety
NHTSA safety across every Chevrolet Colorado Zr2 Bison model year we cover.
Across the 2 model years of the Chevrolet Colorado Zr2 Bison we cover (2024 to 2025), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 83 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2024 at 77. 4 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison is a purpose-built, off-road-focused midsize pickup truck aimed at serious overlanders and trail enthusiasts who want factory-level capability straight from the dealer. Positioned above the standard ZR2, the Bison trim adds AEV-engineered upgrades for buyers who push deep into the backcountry. MotorCaliber covers the 2024 and 2025 model years for safety.
The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison, despite its elevated stance and specialized off-road focus, achieves a strong Best NHTSA Safety Index of 83 out of 100. This places it firmly in the Strong band for its model year. The vehicle secured a full 5 out of 5 stars in side-impact protection and a solid 4 out of 5 stars for frontal protection, offering a commendable level of occupant safeguarding in those crucial areas. However, a significant informational gap exists: the rollover rating is listed as not rated. For a truck built with aggressive off-road geometry and elevated ride height, particularly one whose buyers often seek challenging dynamic conditions, this untested category represents a meaningful omission in the safety assessment. Across the 2024 and 2025 model years, NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls. Owner complaints total 140, including 7 alleged crashes, 1 alleged fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths are reported within the dataset. While these complaints are unverified, their volume suggests areas that prospective buyers should investigate. The ZR2 Bison demonstrates strong safety performance where data is available, but the absence of a rollover rating means a key risk factor for this type of vehicle remains unaddressed by federal testing.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Colorado ZR2 Bison as one of the most capable factory-built off-road midsize trucks available, highlighting its trail-ready hardware and refined on-road manners relative to its extreme positioning. Most acknowledge the premium price over the standard ZR2 but view the AEV-sourced upgrades as substantive rather than cosmetic.
- The rollover crash-test rating is listed as not rated across the covered model years, which is a significant data gap for a tall, off-road-oriented truck that buyers frequently operate on uneven and high-risk terrain.
- The 2025 model year achieves an NHTSA Safety Index of 83 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band, supported by a 5 out of 5 side-impact star rating and a 4 out of 5 frontal rating.
- Four recalls are recorded across the 2024 and 2025 model years combined. Shoppers should run the vehicle identification number through NHTSA's recall database before finalizing any purchase to confirm all remedy work has been completed.
- Owner complaints total 140 across both model years, including 7 alleged crashes and 6 alleged injuries. These are unverified allegations, but the volume is worth monitoring, and reviewing complaint narratives on NHTSA's site can reveal patterns relevant to your buying decision.
Most-recalled year on record: 2024 Chevrolet Colorado Zr2 Bison with 3 recalls.