Front Seat Head Restraint Problems of Honda Odyssey

The headrest (or more accurately, "head restraint") of the driver's seat forces my head to tilt forward in my normal sitting position. I am 6' 2" and like to practice good posture by sitting upright and straight. While sitting with my back straight, and not reclining the seat, my neck must bend forward about 15 degrees to conform to the headrest. Any bumps in the road result in the headrest tapping and pushing the back of my head. I feel like a bobble-head! this causes me constant irritation and distracts me from driving. To compensate for this awkward headrest design, I must recline my seat backward further than I find comfortable, or slouch, which is also uncomfortable. I have heard many tall and short people complain of this same issue, for this vehicle and many other new models of various brands. An adjustable angle on the headrest would be excellent. Alternatively, offering a choice of headrests with various angles would be acceptable. The standard headrest seems to be angled forward approximately 25 degrees. How about offering additional headrest that have less of an angle, like 20, 15, 10 and 5 degrees?.

See all problems of the 2016 Honda Odyssey 🔎.

The third row head restraints, when the seats are in use, need to be all the way up. Because they are so tall and wide, each restraint covers approximately 1/5 of the rear window, causing a large blind spot. This is an accident waiting to happen.

The driver's head restraint causes significant neck and back pain because the restraint pushes my head forward so that my chin tilts down toward my chest. This also makes it difficult to look straight ahead at the road. I have tried all vertical positions of the head restraint. I have tried adjusting the lumbar support. I have tried adding a neck support pillow. Nothing has worked. The owner's guide says, "the center of the back of the occupant¿s head should rest against the center of the restraint. The tops of the occupant¿s ears should be level with the center height of the restraint" (page 42). I am unable to sit with the restraint in the recommended position (or any position) without significant neck and back pain and without difficulty looking forward. The owner's manual goes on to give the following warning: "improperly positioning head restraints reduces their effectiveness and increases the likelihood of serious injury in a crash. " therefore, I do not feel safe adjusting the restraint in any other unrecommended position. Additionally, the owner's guide gives instructions for the head restraints to operate as designed: "for a head restraint system to work properly: ¿ do not hang any items on the head restraints, or from the restraint legs. ¿ do not place any object between an occupant and the seat-back. ¿ install each restraint in its proper location" (page 43). Therefore, placing any pillows behind the driver's back or neck is considered unsafe. The owner's guide gives another warning, "sitting improperly or out of position can result in serious injury or death in a crash. Always sit upright, well back in the seat, with your feet on the floor" (page 42). I am unable to sit "well back in the seat" because the restraint pushes my head, neck and shoulders forward.

The headrest for the driver's seat is my problem. I have to lean my head forward to keep the headrest from pushing my head forward. This is causing me to have neck and shoulder pain. I tried leaning the driver's seat back but then I had no support for my back and that caused me to have neck and shoulder pain. I need a headrest that I can adjust to go back further. Also, the headrests on the 3rd row go up so high that visibility out of the back window is obscured and I found that I could only use my side view mirrors.

See all problems of the 2015 Honda Odyssey 🔎.

Headrest not adjustable forward to back. When installed properly, forces the neck forward so a clear safe driving position can't be achieved. Only way to drive safely is to remove the headrest which leaves no neck support in the event of a crash. No ability to decrease the forward angle of the headrest, no replacement available. To straighten neck, seat must be reclined to the point where the seat doesn't make contact with your back causing additional safety issues.

Driver seat bracket failure (metal fatigue) renders bottom of seat loose, not holding driver in fixed position. Failure renders seat restraint system ineffective. Dealership position is that failure is due to age, and will not replace at its cost. Metal bracket is not rusted at failure location. Pictures show stress fatigue due to riveting process. Repair cost = $1681. Current blue book value = $2475. Cost for me to repair is excessive. Other similar failures reported on internet since 2002. My position is that Honda corporation is shirking its responsibility to manufacture a safe vehicle (that has been maintained) regardless of age.

See all problems of the 2004 Honda Odyssey 🔎.

Seat heat restraint causes neck strain and requires visits to doctor or chiropractor.

See all problems of the 2012 Honda Odyssey 🔎.

My new to me 2010 Honda Odyssey touring van has extremely uncomfortable driver's seat and passenger seat due to protruding head restraints. The head rest pushes head so far forward that it causes pain in the back, neck, hips and legs due to lack of any support in the back. It does not matter where you position the seat or the head restraint. Nothing makes it comfortable. I am now having severe back pain, and stressed muscles everywhere else. I am 5'4". Please create less protruding head rests so my back can actually reach the back of the seat and my neck is not forced forward in an awkward angle. Help please. This is my fifth Honda and second Odyssey and I have never had any car of any brand be so uncomfortable.

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I purchased four after market built in video/dvd monitor head rests that broke apart upon impact when the middle row seat was flipped forward into the front seat of my 2008 Honda Odyssey. The metal support pole was only attached to plastic. This is clearly a defect substandard design which causes concern for me of what would occur during an accident if by just the seat flipping forward into the other could break the housing . The head rest is made by tview mobile entertainment solutions (universal electronics inc) 5721 savoy st. Houston TX 77036. 800. 559. 6580 or 832. 251. 2000 email info@tview. Us. The model is t920pl-gr 9. 2 tft. I purchased the video head rests from national auto sound located at 11001 e us hwy 40, independence, mo 64055 phone 816. 356. . Read more...

See all problems of the 2008 Honda Odyssey 🔎.

The 2009 rule requiring changes in head restraints (commonly called head rests) has resulted in a design found on many vehicles (the Honda Odyssey is just one example) that incredibly uncomfortable for many drivers. In your attempt to help keep people safe you have created an unsafe environment. The angle of the head restraint pushing my wife's head down and forward causing pain and preventing her from seeing out the window properly. This creates a serious driving hazard and essentially eliminated any vehicle made since 2010 (we have tried gm, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota so far). This could be solved by allowing the driving to adjust the angle of the head restraint - you know, by treating us adults capable of making decisions on our own and determining what works for us. I find the head restraint uncomfortable but I can "live with it" after adjusting it. Thanking for keeping us safe and ruining driving for my family. Great job! trying googling "uncomfortable headrests in new cars" to see how many people have a problem with this law.

See all problems of the 2014 Honda Odyssey 🔎.

Head restraints (hr) do not work as described on pgs 14 & 104 of owners manual. I have a long torso and the fully extended head restraints hit me below the bottom of my skull. From the top of the fully extended hr there is still 10" to the roof. I called the local dealer & Honda am about alt. Hr's with longer posts. I was told none exist even though I can't comply with the safety instructions of their manual. To me, Honda can be suied for faulty eq. If I'm rear ended and received neck/spine injuries. The local dealer parts dept said I'm not the first to ask about the short posts on head restraints.

See all problems of the 2002 Honda Odyssey 🔎.