topic Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this? in Community Chat

Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

Mindy D — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 15:53:54 GMT

The headrests in the new cars tilt so far forward that I can't be comfortable. I can't sit this way. These forward titling head rests are designed for safety. Does anyone here feel as unbearably uncomfortable when seated this way? What do any of you do? These headrest styles go back for some years, so it isn't just new cars.

I'm looking at cars right now. I've been looking at Camrys because I loved my old one but they seem like they have the worst forward tilt of all.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

Desertdi — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 15:59:19 GMT

YES!!!!! I have adjusted the SEAT to a position where the headrest tilt is "not so bad". I am 4'10".....and this has been driving me nutty. di

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

geezerette — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 15:59:23 GMT

@Mindy D wrote:
The headrests in the new cars tilt so far forward that I can't be comfortable. I can't sit this way. These forward titling head rests are designed for safety. Does anyone here feel as unbearably uncomfortable when seated this way? What do any of you do? These headrest styles go back for some years, so it isn't just new cars.

I'm looking at cars right now. I've been looking at Camrys because I loved my old one but they seem like they have the worst forward tilt of all.

@Mindy D

Yes, I do. It is the very position I shouldn't be in for my back, shoulders and neck. My headrest only goes up and down, it doesn't tilt like my old cars did.

I went back to the dealership after I got my car to ask how to adjust this, and there is no adjustment for mine.

I tilt my seatback farther backwards than I'd like to compensate as much as I can and sit up very straight, but it's still very uncomfortable for me. Thankfully I don't drive much.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

ManyMeows — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Designed for safety ?

😹 Sounds like they are designed to keep you awake while behind the wheel.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

Mindy D — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:03:53 GMT

I'm surprised that there's not more people making a big deal about this, or news about it. It's like driving in a torture chamber.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

Mindy D — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:05:26 GMT

@ManyMeows wrote:
Designed for safety ?

😹 Sounds like they are designed to keep you awake while behind the wheel.

@ManyMeows @I did read up on the reason behind the design and it's to prevent whiplash injury.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

Icegoddess — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:15:52 GMT

The problem is, if you're short, the headrest won't sit at the proper place. If it's too high, it's pushing your head forward. I guess the only fix for this would be some sort of booster. I've actually been a passenger in a car where the headrest hit me at the crown of my head. My current car (1997) doesn't have a headrest per se. The seat back is all one piece. It does curve forward a bit, but it's not a problem unless I try wear my hair up.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

NicksmomESQ — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:19:59 GMT

I just got a new car 3 weeks ago & I have no trouble with the headrest. I adjusted the seat perfectly & I don't find the headrest to be an issue.My DH drives the car too & has it pre adjusted to fit his needs & has no issue with the headrest either.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

NicksmomESQ — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:25:41 GMT

@Icegoddess wrote:
The problem is, if you're short, the headrest won't sit at the proper place. If it's too high, it's pushing your head forward. I guess the only fix for this would be some sort of booster. I've actually been a passenger in a car where the headrest hit me at the crown of my head. My current car (1997) doesn't have a headrest per se. The seat back is all one piece. It does curve forward a bit, but it's not a problem unless I try wear my hair up.

@Icegoddess My new car has seats that adjust up & down, back & forth as well as a lumbar adjustment. The steering wheel can be adjusted too. Even though I'm 5 ft tall, I have no problem with the headrest due to the adjustability of the seat.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

Icegoddess — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:39:38 GMT

@NicksmomESQ wrote:
@Icegoddess wrote:
The problem is, if you're short, the headrest won't sit at the proper place. If it's too high, it's pushing your head forward. I guess the only fix for this would be some sort of booster. I've actually been a passenger in a car where the headrest hit me at the crown of my head. My current car (1997) doesn't have a headrest per se. The seat back is all one piece. It does curve forward a bit, but it's not a problem unless I try wear my hair up.
@Icegoddess My new car has seats that adjust up & down, back & forth as well as a lumbar adjustment. The steering wheel can be adjusted too. Even though I'm 5 ft tall, I have no problem with the headrest due to the adjustability of the seat.

@NicksmomESQ I thought when the seats adjusted up and down, the entire seat did that, not just the bottom part. That's often and option you pay extra for though. My Tacoma pickup doesn't do that, but I have a friend who is shorter than me that has one and hers does. We were discussing it one day because my neighbor's husband died and she complained she couldn't see over his Tacoma's hood.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

patbz — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:41:39 GMT

We purchased neck rests and lumbar pillows in beige (color or our car's interior). These are readily available on Amazon and help immensely.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

qbetzforreal — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:41:45 GMT

The dealership should be able to assist you in adjusting the headrest before you take the car off the lot.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

Venezia — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:54:22 GMT

When I bought my new Subaru Forester two years ago, the headrests were tilted forward at a really uncomfortable angle and I couldn't figure out how to adjust them. (Had never had a problem in the past.)

One day, I took the car in to have new snowtires put on and when I picked it up, the driver's side headrest was straight! Got home, DH and I looked at the other one and suddenly he was able to straighten that one, too.

No problem since then. The important thing for preventing whiplash is the height of the headrest, not the tilt.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

geezerette — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:57:44 GMT

@qbetzforreal wrote:
The dealership should be able to assist you in adjusting the headrest before you take the car off the lot.

@qbetzforreal

That's what I thought too. Nope, my car model doesn't adjust except up and down.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

Mindy D — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 17:13:51 GMT

@NicksmomESQ wrote:
I just got a new car 3 weeks ago & I have no trouble with the headrest. I adjusted the seat perfectly & I don't find the headrest to be an issue.My DH drives the car too & has it pre adjusted to fit his needs & has no issue with the headrest either.

@NicksmomESQ @If I'm not being too nosey and you don't mind answering; what kind of car did you get. I've got to find something comfortable,

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

Venezia — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 18:32:28 GMT

I'm also curious what kind of cars posters have bought that don't have completely adjustable headrests.

ETA: I just googled this subject and found that many new cars have this non-adjustable feature and people have been turning the headrests around to get rid of the tilt!

It also said the tilted headrests were introduced to shorten the distance between your head and the headrest, in the event of an impact.

The article I saw said Ford has now introduced adjustable headrests for the angle of tilt to make them more comfortable.

I'm glad my Forester had that feature already because I couldn't stand it the way the headrest was tilted so far forward and neither could any of my passengers.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

Mindy D — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 17:29:16 GMT

@Venezia @I also read that some are turning theirs bsckwards. Not the safest option but some just can't stand the feeling of the headrests.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

freakygirl — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 17:35:55 GMT

is it removable? remove it. i did mine

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

SilleeMee — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 18:01:40 GMT

Headrests are not proportionally situated for shorter people. The headrests are set up too high and it touches the back of the head where it's most uncomfortable. It feels like it should hit lower but that's not the right way. It should hit the back of your head where it's the occipital bone is located.

I'm short and I was looking at this kind of back cushion for my car. it's suppose to alleviate the problem with the headrest position and being short.

Re: Headrests in new cars tilt forward. How do handle this?

LTT1 — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 18:22:59 GMT

@Mindy D

@SilleeMee @freakygirl @Venezia @geezerette

OMG! YOU TOO?

I just ordered a neck support from A that goes in this area!
we will see if it does the job.

'What is wrong with car manufacturers? I cannot sit this way either!

RANT NOT OVER!😡