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New Head Restraints – Safety, Torture, or Both? - READ ONLY

39 messages,  Last post on Jul 06, 2012 at 10:21 AM

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What is this discussion about? Safety Technology, Automotive News

Messages Page 5 of 5

#33 of 39 Volvo by stickguy

Nov 30, 2010 (1:27 pm)

Back in 2005, we were shopping for a new family (aka wife mobile) vehicle. I wanted a Volvo XC90 (had a killer lease deal worked out), but ended up with an Odyssey. Size was a factor, but the head rests came into play too. I loved them, it was like a catchers mitt cradling my head (and I like to lean my head back when I can), but they hit my wife (8" shorter than me) wrong, and pushed her head forward I think.
 
Might not have been a big deal once she got used to it, but we never did have to find out.
 
One thing that does get annoying is the size. I was driving someone elses car recently (must have been a new MDX) and it was impossible to check anything over your shoulder (either one).

#34 of 39 morin... by iluvmysephia1

Nov 30, 2010 (3:42 pm)

I'm so glad nobody was hurt worse. Sounds like your Subaru Outback saved your bacon, man. Great testimony to the Subaru build product!
 
With that commute, I'd want all the airbags I could get.
 
Yeah, Kia puts a driver's knee airbag in their Sportage model and yet another reason why I may one day trade for a new Ford Fiesta is because Ford also installs driver's knee airbags in their new little subcompact. I don't know, haven't test-driven a Fiesta yet, but the size of our '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS might just be about as small as I would want to go (compact sze), especially after hearing about wrecks like morin's here.

#35 of 39 NHTSA 2007 Head restraint proposal by powderhound

Jul 18, 2011 (7:50 pm)

This is why all cars' headrests are terribly uncomforatble:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/HeadRest/PEA/Index.html
 
Headrests are now designed to accomodate a male who is 50th percentile in height. Short people like myself suffer. Headrests no longer adjust back and forward, they just crank your neck down. Every car I have test driven and rented since 2007 has this problem.
 
Thanks, but I'll keep my 06 Subaru until there is a better option.

#36 of 39 Re: NHTSA 2007 Head restraint proposal [powderhound] by hpmctorque

Jul 20, 2011 (4:08 am)

Replying to: powderhound (Jul 18, 2011 7:50 pm)
I've experienced the same problem with some newer models. Reclining the seat back, or a combination of tilting the seat back and reclining the seat back can mitigate the headrest problem. I suggest you try it.

#37 of 39 Tried it on many cars, by powderhound

Jul 21, 2011 (11:32 am)

. . . it didn't work. Otherwise I wouldn't mind the issue. I travel frequently for work and leisure and usually rent a car. GM's, Ford's, Hyundai's, even a Volvo S40 had the issue to some extent. What a pain in the neck! Another member mentioned reshaping the headrests and having them reupholstered -- that is what I'll have to do.

#38 of 39 Re: New restraint design is horrible [nine51] by shorty43

Jul 06, 2012 (8:39 am)

Replying to: nine51 (Nov 24, 2010 12:21 pm)
I am 5'3" and my husband is 6'3". He has a much easier time with the new head restraints than I do, but still finds them uncomfortable unless the seat is reclined. At best, a telescoping steering wheel helps with the reclining seat, but you still feel like you are driving from the back seat. I, on the other hand, have found very few newer vehicles that accommodate my short stature. Even highly adjustable seats are not really able to get me in the prime driving position. I typically sit up straight and slightly rest my head against the head rest/restraint due to past neck surgery and fusions in 3 vertebrae, and since I curently drive a 2002 VW Jetta, I am able to do so.
I have been looking for over a year at newer model vehicles with very little luck finding one that is comfortable enough to commute in without laying me almost flat on my back to avoid the head restraint nightmare. Comfort is imperative because I commute. I have had several salesmen try to switch out and turn head rests around but then you end up with nothing to protect your head at all. It seems to me that if they insist on building a head restraint that forces your head forward and down that they could at least build up the top of the seat so that you aren't sunk in at the shoulders. Sounds like we are either forced to be uncomfortable or pay extra on top of the vehicle cost to modify the interior. I realize that almost everything is manufactured for a set height range, but a few little added adjustments to the head restraints like I have seen on one Focus and Kia Sorento would solve this issue in it's entirety.

#39 of 39 Re: New restraint design is horrible [shorty43] by powderhound

Jul 06, 2012 (10:21 am)

Replying to: shorty43 (Jul 06, 2012 8:39 am)
The 2012 Impreza has a tilting headrest, too.

Messages Page 5 of 5

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