Front Seat Head Restraint Problems of Ford Mustang

The non-adjustable headrest pushes my head too far forward and down. This causes pain in my neck and spine.

See all problems of the 2011 Ford Mustang 🔎.

The head restraint design on the 2011 Ford Mustang is defective for taller drivers. I am 6' 1" but my 5' 8" wife also complains. Even at its tallest adjustment, I must hold my head forward in an unnatural and fatiging position. I'm not the only one with this complaint, as the Mustang forums are filled with similar complaints from other drivers -- many of whom report simply removing the head restraint altogether. According to the forums, Ford says to increase the angle of the seatback, but then the steering wheel is too far away -- and I do not have short arms (35" sleeve length). My current solution is to raise the head restraint about 2" higher than the highest detent provided by Ford. Even though the unit is still in place, and seems secure when I push on it, I'm concerned about how it will perform in a crash because it is not latched into place and there's less of the rods down in the seatback for support. The other alternative is to remove the unit altogether, as some other Mustang owners have reported doing. Ford's design forces taller drivers into one of three unsafe modes: 1. Drive the car with ones head tilted forward in a position that is both tiring and distracting. 2. Remove the head restraint entirely. 3. Raise the head restraint above the highest detent leaving it free to move and also with questionable amount of rod in the seatback.

After several miles uphill, the vehicle had begun to travel downhill. After less than one mile, the steering was unresponsive; driver's input assumed hydraulic response. There was none. The vehicle hit the side of a mountain; very narrow shoulder didn't allow for error. The car overturned. The 'black box' located in the steering wheel collects a volume of data except one important fact: steering wheel angle. The steering wheel was positioned to miss the mountain but not to enter the on-coming lane. The steering didn't react. Why was this essential data not recorded when many other trivial computations are present? I believe Ford understands the potential problem and omits the steering wheel angle because of liability. The vehicle was rented from hertz. They failed to advise the customer of the slow response of electronic steering. Second: passenger seat belt is positioned high and the headrest protrudes, making an occupant of average size 'slouch' to avoid the uncomfortable strap. Regardless, the seat belt travels along the passenger's neck and tightens when the vehicle overturns. The 'accident' caused an 85% carotid artery dissection. My wife spent 10 days in a trauma center because of this horribly positioned seat belt and unresponsive steering. A friend who has a doctorate in nursing advised us during the hospitalization. She recently rented a Mustang and was worried when the strap bisected her throat. Go sit in one! it's all the evidence you need. Ford motor company will do nothing until they are presented with legal papers. I have formally notified them to no avail. They don't care. They just keep building them.

The front seat head rest in my 2003 Ford Mustang gt do not provide sufficient support/restraint in the event of a rear collision. No adjustments are provided except for a minor amount of elevation from top of seat back.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Mustang 🔎.

Front seat head rests, when fully extended, do not provide any support to neck if vehicle was rearended. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated vehicle met Ford standards.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Mustang 🔎.

Headrests dont provide protection in rearend accidents.

The seat head restraints do not raise high enough to go beyond my shoulders, giving no protection to my head at all.

The head rest only adjust up to one inch. The consumer is concerned that anyone who drives these vehicles will not have the proper head restraint protection in the event of a crash. Please provide any additional information.

See all problems of the 2004 Ford Mustang 🔎.