NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison Safety Ratings
The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison scores 92 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Exceptional), 1 recall, and 9 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison earns an overall NHTSA Safety Index of 92 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band. The truck's avoidance technology sub-score is perfect, and its defect record rating is strong, making it a well-supported safety choice among current-model-year trucks.
The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 92/100 and an NHTSA 5-star side crash-test rating, based on federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 72 Sedans from 2026 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison ranks 31 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 92 / 100 (Exceptional) |
|---|---|
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 0% |
| Recalls on file | 1 |
| Owner complaints | 9 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 31 of 72 Sedans tested for 2026 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison?
The 2026 Colorado ZR2 Bison marks a meaningful jump in measured safety standing. The NHTSA Safety Index rose from 83/100 in the 2025 model year to 92/100 this year, a 9-point gain that moved the truck from the Strong band into the Exceptional band. That improvement is anchored by a near-perfect defect record sub-score of 19/20 and a full 10/10 on crash-avoidance technology, reflecting the standard fitment of forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control across the trim. Crash protection contributed 63 of a possible 70 points, supported by the 5-star side result and 4-star frontal result from NHTSA testing. The absence of overall and rollover star ratings means those specific dimensions simply have not been evaluated by NHTSA, not that the truck performed poorly. The single recall this year is administrative in nature, covering documentation rather than a structural or propulsion defect. The nine reported complaints, all unverified allegations, have not included any alleged crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths, which is a notable characteristic of this model year's complaint profile.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison perform in crash tests?
The 2026 Colorado ZR2 Bison attained a 5-star rating in NHTSA's side-impact crash tests, marking its highest score. The frontal crash test yielded a 4-star result. No ratings were issued for overall crash protection or rollover resistance by the agency.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 21801
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison have any recalls?
One recall has been issued for the 2026 Colorado ZR2 Bison. The campaign covers an owners, service, and other manual deficiency affecting a broad group of General Motors vehicles including this model. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is indicated in the available data. Shoppers should verify remedy status by VIN at NHTSA.gov.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL26V114000
Risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle
Reported 2026-02-26
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison?
Nine unverified consumer allegations have been reported to NHTSA for this model year. The top components alleged are the Electrical System (4 reports), Forward Collision Avoidance (2), and Engine (2), with single reports each for Service Brakes, Steering, and an unknown category. No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths are alleged.
9 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison?
For this current model-year vehicle, the recall record may still be developing. Shoppers should run the specific VIN through NHTSA.gov to confirm whether the open documentation recall has been remedied and to catch any campaigns issued after the data above was compiled.
- The Safety Index rose 9 points year-over-year, from 83/100 in 2025 to 92/100 in 2026, the largest single-year gain traceable to improved defect-record and avoidance-tech sub-scores.
- NHTSA has not issued an overall star rating or a rollover star rating for this model year; only the frontal (4 stars) and side (5 stars) ratings are available from federal crash testing.
- The one recall on record for this model year is a documentation campaign covering the owners and service manual, shared across multiple General Motors nameplates including the 2025-2026 Colorado.
- All nine owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year are unverified allegations, with the Electrical System accounting for four of them and no alleged crashes, injuries, or fatalities reported in any complaint.
RANKINGSWhere the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison places
The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison safety questions
Was the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 92 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison earned 4 out of 5 stars for frontal and 5 out of 5 stars for side. Its measured rollover risk is 0%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 1 vehicle recall is on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 9 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Colorado - Zr2 Bison years
Rivals in Sedan (2026)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Acura Integra | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2026 Acura Integra Type-S | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Honda Accord | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus IS 350 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Subaru Impreza | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 21801), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Chevrolet Colorado - Zr2 Bison 2026.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 31 of 72 in the Sedan class for 2026.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.