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Wagons Kia Rondo Kia Rondo Drivers Headrest
27 messages, Last post on Aug 31, 2009 at 12:26 PM
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I am hoping I can get some help or advice here. I test drove a Rondo and I really liked everything about it except the head rest on the front seats. I have whiplash, so I like to drive with the seat almost straight up so my entire back is supported, but the Rondo headrest sticks so agressivly forward I can't hold my head up straight. If I tip the seat back so I can hold my head up straight, then the top half of my back isn't supported. And I can't drive without pain in any position. The dealer's solution was to turn the headrest backwards, but it wasn't designed to be that way, and that makes me nervous too. Are there other head rests that would fit on the seat? Does anyone else have this problem? Thanks for any ideas or help you could provide. |
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Replying to: blueskidoo (Apr 17, 2007 1:51 pm) |
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Replying to: blueskidoo (Apr 17, 2007 1:51 pm) I hope this helps.
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Replying to: bargainseeker (Apr 18, 2007 4:44 pm) I will definitly try that on my next test drive. The headrest seems like such a stupid reason not to buy a car, but if you can't drive without pain, then you can't buy the car. This is really good to know, I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Have a great day!
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Replying to: blueskidoo (Apr 18, 2007 5:19 pm) If the rearmost position of the headrest is still not far enough back for you, you could try using a shoulder-height accessory cushion between your back and the seat. Such a cushion would increase the distance between the back of your head and the headrest. |
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I don't know what bargainseeker decided to do, but this continues to be a source of frustration for us with our Rondo. Even the rearmost position is way to far forward to be passably comfortable. My husband took the headrest completely off every time he drove it - which is funny since Kia touts the fancy head restraint as such a huge safety feature. Finally we compromised by switchin in a headrest from the second row, which really does not provide sufficient support but at least it's not unbearably uncomfortable! Kia really needs to address this aspect of the design. It may not be a problem for everyone - I can only assume that airlines make many of their seats have an uncomfortable protuberance that forces the head forward because some people like them. But if you hate the bump on airline seats, don't buy a Rondo.
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Replying to: rrraven (Sep 15, 2007 2:49 pm) We don't own a Rondo, but we have sat in one a few times and found the drivers seat very comfortable and had no problem finding the right driving position for both my wife (5'-3") and myself (5'-11"). I don't know what position the headrest was in when we sat in it but it did not cause any interference with our seating but we will look more closely next time. We thought the "active headrest" was an excellent safety feature and should be on all vehicles. To quote the owners manual "The active headrest is designed to move forward and upward during a rear impact. This helps to prevent the driver's and front passenger's heads from moving backward and thus helps prevent neck injuries." It would be nice to see a picture as to why this causes a problem, wouldn't just reclining the back of seat solve it? My daughter owns a 2007 HHR and she says her husband removes the headrest when he drives it, but I drove it and had no problem and neither did my wife. As you didn't fill out your location I don't know whether you are in the US or Canada - have you thought of contacting KIA US or KIA Canada? |
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Yes, I suspect it is a matter of personal preference. I was excited when I first found this thread, thinking maybe the adjustment mentioned would solve our problems, but unfortunely we were already in the "best" position. My spouse and I both prefer an upright driving position, so reclining the seat also doesn't work for us. The active headrest is heavily lauded in many reviews, which makes it all the more frustrating that we not only end up disabling it, but are instead compelled to use a setup that is definitely sub-standard in terms of safety in order to get acceptable comfort. Other than this (and a few minor gripes), we love out Rondo. Having a car with three rows of seating is really handy. Another favourite is a heat/AC vent in the back seat, so we can thaw and freeze the kids when they need it.  We are in Canada, and no, we haven't contacted Kia Canada - not sure what good that could do? I don't think it's anything wrong with our particular vehicle, but just the way it was designed. I keep hoping there will be a substitute headrest we could get, but so far haven't heard of one. kathyO
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Replying to: rrraven (Sep 16, 2007 2:32 pm) |
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Yup, that sounds lovely. Unfortunately, for me, the "normal" Rondo headrest in it's farthest-back position is about 1 inch in FRONT of where my head wants to be, instead of up to 4 inches behind.
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