Headrest Solutions
Created March 11, 2007, at 6:42 pm by New Civic Owner
I just bought a 2007 Civic yesterday & I didn't notice the headrest being a problem. As I was driving around today, I did. I'm a 5'1'' female and love the Civic but the headrest pushes my head down and kills my neck and lower back. Too late now...I already bought the Civic. After reading postings of options, I understand there's nothing the dealership can/will do. I don't want to use non-factory headrest for fear of losing my insurance coverage. I don't want to lay my seat back. And I don't want to drive without a headrest.
SO.....I had some foam in the basement. I cut the foam into a wedge shape. I placed the thin part of the foam at my lower back & the slightly thicker part of the foam came even to the shoulder of the seat. This pushed my upper back slightly forward enough so I can't feel the headrest immediately on my head but it's still there. I still get the support from the seat on my lower back too! The foam feels like part of the seat & supports great! I'm going to buy a seat cover & position the foam under the seat cover to hide the thick foam. You can go to any fabric store & they will cut you foam how you want it. Questions, please let me know. Otherwise, good luck!!
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That is a pretty good solution, bound to serve you better than many generic back support products you may get at the stores.
My wife is not a tall person either and she complained about the headrests too particularly on longer trips. One day she ventured into a Walmart and bought a back support product that looked good but did not help her much. She took it back and then exchanged it for a $5 narrow neck support pillow. She now swears by it. :)
Good luck with your new vehicle.
MSantos
I turn it around for my wife. That works OK and leaves it in-place just in-case.
I found a new solution to the headrest problem. I had the headrest rods put in a vice (the rods that support the headrest) bent backwards to be made more straight. I works!!! I don't need a pillow, car seat covers, or have to have my headrest on backwards. I have perfect headrest support & my back & neck is straight and supported. Just bend the rods back!! It works perfect.
How about posting a picture of the bent headrest removed from the seat. I'd like to know what angle you found to be optimum.
Where did you go to get the rods straightened? I've thought of the same thing but don't know where to start! Also, are there concerns that the headrest will be weakened too much by bending the rods? Thanks!
I just purchased an addonheadrest.com. I haven't received it yet, but am hoping that if I turn it upside down, it may make my existing headrest tolerable.
Also, I called Honda at 800-999-1009 about the problem, and they said they have been getting a lot of complaints about their new headrests. They put me on a list to notify if they ever offer a manufacturer's solution.
I didn't have much of a problem with the headrest, but DID in trying to get a comfortable arm length with the steering wheel, once I had the seat and back positioned, and the wheel telescoped out to the max. I had a rectangular fake lambswool that I folded into thirds and placed that as a full back rest. The headrest is no longer in contact. I had to custom make a lumbar "roll" to suite my particular requirements. I also had a kind of memory foam that I positioned on the seat. NOW ALL PARTS OF ME ARE COMFORTABLE;)
Seems to me that there are enough complaints to have Honda do something about it. I complained almost a year ago to Honda and the dealer. Neither seemed interested but Honda claimed they documented it. Just because safety tests have been done on the function of the headrest does not prove the severe angle isn't an issue. If you look at the Japanese version of the Civic almost everything is exactly the same EXCEPT the headrests. The Japanese version is more upright. It is a design flaw that they won't admit to and will ignore it as long as they can. I have also used the memory foam, have bought several different back rests- all eventually compress my nerves and cause additional pain and dizziness. We all need to get together on every forum we can find and document our complaints in written form (I heard we can certify letter them) keep a copy and log when we do this on a main forum site. Once enough of us have documented complaints that we can prove Honda has received we will be able to have a chance at having HONDA FIX THE PROBLEM instead of us having to accommodate with unsafe and very inconvenient temporary solutions. It is not our responsibility to fix this and it is NOT something you can detect on a test drive. Please let me know who's in and what y'all think is the best way to go about this. Thanks.
No need to have the bars bent. You can take the headrest completely out of the two holes, turn it around, and slide it in backward. You won't have a height adjustment, but it will still be tall enough for most people, and it won't push your head forward any longer, since the pad will be angled back.
This fix takes 10 seconds and costs nothing.
This specific backrest solved my headrest problem. It is not too wide, so it fits easily on the seat and doesn't push you too far forward. It is high up (Get at least the medium size) so it positions your shoulders slightly forward so that your neck isn't in being pressed forward by the headrest. Plus the rest provides good lumbar support. I tried many back rests to negate the problem with the Honda headrest, and the Obus Ultra Forme really did the trick! You can try it out if you go to Healthy Back Store; however, the below link has a better price. Good luck!
http://www.sitincomfort.com/obfoulfobasu.html
I purchased a Honda Civic EX in May 2007. Started noticing pain in neck after a few weeks from headrest tilting my head forward. Found this forum and others documenting problems and attempted fixes. I tried the headrests from my husbands 2007 Honda Odyssey. They fit but only hit my head about 1/4-1/2" farther back and still not good enough. I checked with the dealer and they could not help. Someone suggested a custom auto shop. Haven't found one yet to help. I tried turning the headrests around but there is absolutely no support and could lead to serious injury in an accident. I like the idea of bending the rods and we are considering doing that. I will e-mail Honda Support and see if I get a response. I saw a solution to try a Honda Accord headrest but at the dealer they appeared to be the exact same angle. Maybe I'll try that again. The correct responsible solution would be for Honda to offer a headrest that would fit that is at a normal and safe angle for those of us who have problems. I would pay to buy new headrests if they remedy the situation because I really like the car and the gas mileage. Especially now! Will continue to monitor this forum for more information and will update if I find anything informative. Thanks.
This is not a problem only for Civic owners. I've been test driving a bunch of cars and most have this headrest issue - due to the fact that the NHTSA demanded these new headrests in any car built after 9/1/08. So they are all getting a head start. We've tried Fit, Vibe, and Focus in the past week -- and they all push your head forward, especially for women 5'3" or so.
See http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/whiplash.html
Thanks for the various creative solutions!
I had this problem on a 2008 Honda Accord EX Coupe I had purchased, and had neck and back pain from the headrests. After searching a couple of forums, I found a solution. The headrests from a 2007 will fit, the two cost me @ $100 ordered from an online Honda parts dealer. The active headrest restraint system still functions, but is much less intrusive then the stock system. The 2007 Accord headrests are not at the same angle as the 2008 and don't force your head forward. I don't know if this would work on the Civic, but it's certainly worth a look. Good luck.
Unfortunately, I didn't know about this headrest problem until after purchasing a new Accord last month, July 2008. My neck and back or in terrible shape. Do you happen to have a picture you can send me of your headrest post once you bent them or give me how many degrees you bent them. I'd like to do the same but would really appreciate more info before I try it.
Hope to hear from you.
Thanks,
Cheryl
Headrest is a bit of a misnomer. I believe it's *not* the intention to "rest" your head against them: their primary function is to guard against whiplash in rearend collisions. Maybe try adjusting your seat back angle, to more upright? And maybe seat height as well?
I'm not sure people necessarily want to "rest" their heads, but nor do they want to have to sit with their heads leaning forwards. This is my problem as well. After a couple hours of riding in our Civic my neck and jaw hurt and I start to get a headache. This took a while to start happening but now it happens every time. It seems that a lot of people have this problem. People have suggested reclining a bit, but I actually like to sit up straight. However, with the design of the headrest I am unable to sit up straight and keep my neck straight as well.
Wow. I thought I was the only person that was experiencing this issue. When I'm driving for a long period, it feels like I have someone pushing on my head. So far the only thing that counteracts this is if I keep the seat completely straight up. Once I leave work today, I'll try turning the headrest around. If not, I'll just get the piece of foam like a previous poster has done.
My wife and I just purchased a brand new 2009 Camry SE. We did not notice the forward-pressing angle of the headrests immediately, but I started to get headaches, a stiff neck, and back pain in just a week or so of driving. Yesterday, I got so angry and frustrated while driving, that when stopped at a red light, I grabbed the entire headrest and ripped it out of the seat and threw it violently against that rear seat window. It seems that the only solution is to either turn the darn thing around 180 degrees or have a machine shop bend the steel supports in a vice asap. This design flaw is so egregious and profoundly disturbing that it makes one wonder what is wrong with car manufacturing companies that could foist something like this on the unsuspecting public. Seriously, I would never have purchased this vehicle had I known of this dastardly situation.
Just today I bought a 2008 Honda Accord V6. I was so excited with how well it drove and so happy with the car buying experience that it wasn't until 60 miles later, once I had driven the car off the lot and all around town, that it hit me... my neck was in excruciating pain! The forward head posture in the 2008 accords is so very uncomfortable that it makes it difficult to sit without squirming. Furthermore, I am a neuromuscular therapist for Goodness sakes! My whole career and life is built around maintaining good posture and treating clients who are misaligned. I deeply regret purchasing this car today and wish that I could take it back! We will see tomorrow...
I've had a 2008 Honda Accord for 11/2 weeks, and my neck, shoulders, and back are in pain. I have a 1998 accord and was always comfortable. There does not seem to be a comfortable possibility. any solutions would be helpful.
I bought a 2008 Honda Accord 3 weeks ago and am having problems with the headrest bumping me in the head as I drive. My neck and back hurt when I get out of the car. We tried turning the headrests around (while at the dealer). It works, but is still uncomfortable. They told me the 2007 headrests wouldn't fit for a 2008 Accord.
I am in agony. I am in a great car pool and the back and neck position of her new Accord puts me in real pain in a 15 minute, five mile surface street trip. I'm about ready to give the car pool up and go back to my old Crown Vic. I am a male, roughly five foot eleven and 240 lbs.
This morning I was pain free getting into the car and could barely walk getting out.
Did you not notice this problem while doing your test drive?
I like to take my time when I do a test drive.
Don't just drive it along the block like they want you to.
I always ask to drive it fast also.
How is it feeling now?
I think you should buy an additional neck support equipment, many of the people are now short. I guess everyone has a way in overcoming it.
Hi Kathy,
The service rep is mistaken in telling you that the 2007 Honda Accord headrests will not fit the 2008. I have them installed on my car now, and they are a great improvement over the stock ones. Installation involved pulling the originals out and pushing the new ones in ( removing the headrests is described in your owners manual ). I think total removal and installation time done by myself was maybe five minutes. As I said in my earlier post, I actually came on this solution in another Honda forum, and others have done the swap as well. The only possible drawback is that if you have the leather interior the price per headrest was higher then the cost for the cloth, which is the interior I have on the EX coupe. They look stock, in fact when I took the car in for service, they didn't even notice I had changed them. The AHRS (active head restraint system ) still operates, and the risk of bending the originals incorrectly or weakening them in the process is eliminated. Most of all, the 2007 headrests will not force your head unnaturally forward. Hope this helps, and good luck to you.
Hi -
I just bought a 2009 Accord & have the same problem many of you are describing - neck and back pain, due to the head rest pushing my head forward. I am a 5'4 female. Does anyone know if the 2007 headrest will fit the 2009 Accord?
Also... It appears like there are quite a few of us having problems with this same issue. I wonder if it would be worth contacting Consumer reports or some other "watch" group, to help nudge Honda to do something about this... your thoughts?
I bought my 2009 Honda Accord EX Sedan about a month ago and I am having the same problem like many of you with the headrest (head restraint). If I knew about the headrest problem, I would of had a second thought buying the car although I love the new Accord. I see comments about the 2007 Accord's headrest that will fit 2008/2009 Accord. I am going to check it out myself and buy it if it fits and comfortable. To those who bought them, how much was it and where did you order them? At the dealers? Any info will be appreciated.
I didn't realize that this was such a common problem. I already have problems with neck pain and have test-driven several cars this summer and had this problem with every one of them.
We definitely need to start contacting product review websites and see if we can make a change here.
Here is the link for the 2007 Honda Accord Coupe headrests ( this is for the EX model, but you can also look up/order for other trims as well ) http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputsta...
Hi Katy. I agree. The headrests are horrid. I purchased the 2007 Accord headrests (put them in my '08) and they're better, but I still cannot sit up straight without my head hitting them. I was going to go to my sports physical therapist and ask his opinion, but after reading your entry I need not bother him. I have finally just turned them around and at least I'm driving without a neck ache. Do that many people really slouch forward all the time? We really do need to get Honda to fix this awful problem. I thought they would fix it in '09, but apparently they have not. Ouch.
Thomas, I puchased my 2007 Accord head restraints from the Honda dealer. They're expensive. They do fit, and they're better than the '08 ones, but if you sit up really straight your head will still bounce off of the 'restraint'. Suggestion: order from the parts shop at the dealer, but request that you be able to install in your car (without removing the head restraint from the plastic bag other than making an opening for the rods to slide into the seat back) before you are charged for them......so you can make sure they will make enough of a change for you to justify the expense. Good luck!
I took delivery of an '08 Civic Hybrid on 9/1 and the headrest is driving me nuts! It won't stay fully down (the only position remotely acceptable). I'm going to try installing it backwards.
I bought a 2008 Honda Civic 3 months ago. Like everyone here and lots of other sites too, it hurt my neck and back. You don't really notice until you've driven a few hours. Just long enough so you cannot take it back. I was going to the Chiro, taking medicines and spent around $300.00 on cushions that worked, but I felt I could topple over if I took a curve too fast.
From what I understand all of the newer cars are like this. I finally solved the problem today and thought I would share what I did.
The Civic headrests have a slight curve on the metal rods, right under the cushion. I found someone to straighten that out ( the dealer actually) and now they feel perfect. If you can get someone to make those rods completely straight the headrest will feel much better.
Putting 2007 accord headrests (120.00each) also works, I tried them and they fit perfectly and were adjustable. The 2007 accord is the last year before they bent them forward.
Also if you find the seat to hard, which I did, A universal sheepskin seat from Overland Sheep company took care of that. 119.00.
I finally love my new car. Was ready to trade it in and take a loss before today though. Thanks to all who posted ideas. I tried most of them and this is what worked for me.
Sounds like the NHTSA has decided to prevent neck sprains in those who have accidents by causing permanent arthritis in everyone. This sounds a bit like the 1st generation airbags, which saved unseatbelted, overweight, tall adults by killing children and seatbelted adults under 5'4".
Anybody found a similar solution for Mazda cars? My Mazda3 is killing me due to the seat design.
We test drove at least 10 different new cars in august of 2009 We had a head rest problem with 100% of them.
1. Some cars you can turn the head rest around and get what you need. Other cars when you turn it around it give but end up with zero support and makes the regulations of US to guard against whiplash nullified - worsened by such a modification. We believe that US regulations to minimize whiplash is the reason for the forward bend of all current US car headrests.
2. Bending the bars to the location you want might work however this may damage the bars/crack them or lessen integrity of the steal (break point during crash)
3. Foam support when you turn it around. This may work provided can secure the foam support. When we tried various foam supports we found it very difficult to get the correct amount
4. The best idea I found so far is to get head rest from a car built in 2007 and put them in my new 2009 car. This is what we are pursuing.
I am having a hard time believing a US government agency did this. What in the world are they thinking. They left out the statistics in the decision regarding the people that remove the head rest because it hurts.
My wife that is 5'8" tall and I drove a 2010 GMC Acadia and the headrest tilled my wifes head so far forward that see couldn't see to drive when she sat back in the seat. We looked at the Enclave & Traverse and they were the same. I then went to look at the new Ford Crossover's and found the same problem. I guess we will keep our 2008 Yukon until the wheels fall off. It's plain to see that the Government Regulations are telling most of us to not buy any new vehicles as they are just to uncomfortable to drive. What a terrible thought, the Government is now in the auto business, this should be good, what else will they mess up?
New Regulations
The issue is believed to be so important that the federal government, through NHTSA, issued new regulations. In essence, the regulations say that front head restraints must be no more than 2.2 inches behind the occupants’ heads. They must also be two inches or more higher than the previous requirements for head restraints. NHTSA says these are similar to European regulations. The front-seat headrests in more than three-quarters of passenger vehicles built after September 2009 must meet the new rules. The IIHS has its own size requirements, but these are less restrictive than the government’s.
Those who complain about the restraints take no issue with the dimensional requirements: They point out that the restraints touch their heads or even push their neck forward. Those with grievances would be happy to have the restraints even a half-inch behind their heads. In addition to size regulations, the government requires automakers to certify that their head restraints pass a dynamic test. Also, the IIHS conducts its own dynamic tests that attempt to simulate the forces of a stopped vehicle hit by one of the same weight going 20 mph. Neither this, nor the government’s test, involves actually crashing cars. Instead, a seat is mounted on a sled that is accelerated.
Your ability to see to drive was never considered when the testing was done for these headrests. It's so nice to know that our Government doesn't care if we can see to drive, only that the headrest does its job. Well I wonder how many accidents this will cause, not being able to see while driving. Only the jerks in Washington could come up with headrests that make it impossible to see to drive.
I just bought a new 2010 Honda Insight. Same problem. Tried turning around the headrest, but it leans so far forward when properly installed, that it offers NO support when installed backwards. Any suggestions other than reconfiguring the seat (which is otherwise quite comfortable) with foam or a cushion to basically move the entire body forward to realign with the ridiculous headrest?
I sympathize and agree with all of you. My wife and I test drove a new CRV for 25 minutes. My neck bothered me for a week and my wife.....2 months. What I would like to know is who is the idiot or team of idiots at the DOT who failed to recognize that different people have different heights, neck lengths and body thickness. To use the common vernacular......one size DON'T fit all!!!!!! Once again government is dictating how we live our lives and it's a literal pain in the neck and or back. It seems that some common sense is in order here. Or perhaps a legally savvy entreprenuer could come up with some after market solutions. It is a shame that when you spend thousands of dollars on a new vehicle and have this kind of problem, the dealerships response is "sorry, there is nothing we can do". Let's continue our letters to the manufacturers and let's begin to write the DOT.
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