Front Seat Head Restraint problems of the 2011 Honda Accord

The active head restraints moved into the forward position for no apparent reason (I. E. , there was no rear collision). It happened first with the driver's seat and separately, at some later point, with the front passenger's seat. The restraints were supposed to automatically move back to their normal position (according to the owner's manual), but that didn't happen - they remained locked in the forward position. I took the vehicle to schaumburg Honda in illinois and the technician said that the seat frames should be replaced. He said the problem indicated that the active head restraints might fail to work properly in a collision. I decided to report this because it could be a safety issue for other drivers with similar Honda models/seat frames.

The seats in my car I find to be horribly uncomforatle. I am not sure this site is appropriate for the compliant, but thought I would try. The headrest is not ergonomic at all, it pushes my head forward when I sit back. This causes literally a pain in my neck from strain, and simply a danger since the annoyance is a distraction from driving.

I owned a 2003 Accord and loved it. When it came time to get a new car, I only wanted a new Accord. I didn't even test drive it. What a mistake! for the first week, every time I drove the car I tried to readjust the seat to make it more comfortable. Nothing worked. I have beautiful leather seats, but I sit on a wedge and have a lumbar pillow stuffed behind my back. My hip and back were thrown out of line to the point that 4 months after buying the car, I was using a cane. I no longer use the cane, but I no longer take this car for long drives. The seats cause pain in my back, hips and legs. In my 2003 Accord I was able to tip the seat so my knees would raise up or down. The new "improved" seats did away with that feature. In addition, the head restraint pushes my head forward and down causing neck pain. My pregnant daughter is in the market for a 4 door car to replace her 2 door car. I offered to give her the Accord and pay to have it shipped to l. A. For her. On a recent trip home for a wedding, she drove the car for half an hour and refused the gift. Can you imagine how bad the seats are to turn down a 1 year old car with 11,000 miles on it because it's so uncomfortable?? Honda has lost me as a customer. When I called Honda to complain several times, they made me feel as if I were the only one who had ever complained of this problem.

I just purchased my new 2011 Honda Accord ex manual transmission car on 8/12. I'm very satisfied with the car except for two things. The front seats are very hard and the headrest is at a severe angle that forces my head forward with my chin down. I normally sit with my back against the back rest with the back rest at a fairly upright position. In my other cars (1994 Saturn sl2 and 2002 Hyundai santa fe), this was not a problem. With the 2011 Honda Accord my neck gets stiff after about 30 minutes. There is no adjustment allowed on the headrest and the only relief is to set the back rest to a reclined position and sit upright with my back away from the back rest. I know other 2011 Accord owners are complaining about this problem but no response has been made from Honda. I've complained to my dealership about this problem but they have no solution. I need Honda to respond by providing a replacement headrest with a less angle of incline and/or a headrest that allows for adjustment to other angles. The front seats are very uncomfortable. During the 10 minute test drive my wife and I had no problems with these seats. During a 1 hour trip we both realized we were very fatigued and our legs were starting to become numb. On the return 1 hour trip home we felt the same sensations and by time we returned home we were both feeling back and leg pain and fatigue. I've been assured by two sales people at the dealership that the seats will 'break in' and become softer and more comfortable. I've never had this problem in the other new cars I've driven or rented. I've never heard other drivers with this problem in their new cars either. I cannot believe a new car with many great features and a great driving experience can have such uncomfortable seats. I also understand that these seats have airbags installed and cannot simply be replaced with non-standard seats or with seat cushions or covers. This cannot be normal and should be resolved by Honda.

I want to make you aware of how new ntsa regulations for the design of head restraints have injured me physically and financially. I traded in a 2000 Toyota for a 2011 Honda, only to find that the head restraint gave me severe neck muscle spasms. The dealer explained that since 2008, all new cars must follow updated nthsa regulations in head restraints. I went to many dealerships to find a head restrain that I could tolerate. All of them had the same pain-producing, federally-mandated style. Finally, after much searching, I found a Ford SUV that had a more tolerable head restraint. I was very relieved because I was afraid that I would have to buy an old used car in order to continue driving. I have mild neck arthritis, and your new style of head restraints caused me such discomfort that I was willing to sell my 5 day old Honda Accord (with 225 miles) and lose thousands of dollars (due to depreciation)! in addition, I worry that the head restraints are hurting other people. I am a physician, and I know that chronic repetitive stress can sometimes lead to severe injury. With so many dealers and customers complaining about the new head restraints "not being comfortable," I suspect that the new restraints are causing neck strain to many people. I just happen to be more susceptible because of my neck arthritis. Perhaps you can use me as a sentinel chicken to realize the problem that you have created. Please consult with your advising physicians about whether the nthsa could be inadvertently causing neck strain and eventual neck injury to millions of people. I don't want this experience to happen to anyone else. Regulations should help not hurt. Yours have hurt me physically and financially. Please allow manufacturers to redesign the head restraints so that they are comfortable as well as safe, or at least give options to people like me with medical problems.