Front Seat Head Restraint Problems of Kia Motor Optima

Tl the contact owns a 2016 kia Optima. When the contact pushed the button behind the rear passenger seat to release the seats, the headrest detached and struck the contact on the left eye. The contact sustained an eye injury, but medical attention was not required. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,400.

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I was rear ended while stopped in breakdown lane of a secondary highway (40 mph) problem that I would like to address is the inadequate cushioning in the headrests of this car and probably many others. Suffered a concussion the effects of which are still ongoing. I think that there needs to be standards applied to headrests to have energy absorbing cushioning.

I am complaining about the headrest. There needs to be an adjustment for the angle of the headrest. The headrest moves up and down, forward and backward but the angle can not be adjustment.

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Reference: defective driver's seat this letter is in reference to a faulty seat in the 2008 kia Optima ex, one I currently own. I am bringing this matter to your attention because of the danger this represents to drivers of kia vehicles that have electric adjustable seats. My wife and I were very fortunate we were not involved in a traffic fatality due to this. Recently, while traveling, the driver's seat retracted to its full-upright, full-forward position. In this position, the headrest forced my wife¿s head down into the steering wheel and up against it. She was able to stop the car safely. The only way to drive the car was to remove the headrest, which allowed enough room between the steering wheel and the body to steer the car. I contacted casey kia while stopped to ask what could be done to release the seat. I was told to remove the seat¿s fuse from the inside cabin fuse panel, which should disengage it; this did not work, and we were forced to drive three hours to the nearest repair shop. There is no manual override mechanism in the 2008 kia Optima ex to unlock a seat when the electric seat adjustment mechanism fails. This is the second time there have been problems with the driver-side seat. The first driver¿s seat was replaced because of a faulty seat-heater while under the original warranty. The replacement seat when installed in the car because the adjustment knob was loose and never secure. Three issues are paramount, the safety for kia drivers, the fact there is no manual override for electric seats, and no warranty for replacement seats on such occasions, the first here being of most importance.

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The contact owns a 2004 kia Optima. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side head rests were designed with an interior bar covered by fabric. Over a period of time, the metal protruded and caused discomfort. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.

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I purchased this new car in January and have had a difficult time adapting to the blind spots out of the rear window. The safety features of this car are amazing even with what I believe is 1 exception. The rear headrests of this car were designed too large. Even in the down position these headrests block nearly 2 thirds of the rear window visibility. Selecting safety over looks I've completely removed both rear headrests (they slide right out) and carry them in the trunk if passengers sitting in the rear request them. My suggestion is that kia produce and retrofit lower sleeker headrests for the rear that are 1/2 as high as the current. Dealers could probably swap them out and kia could reuse overseas if they choose. Please contact me via email if photos are needed but for the most part your department could look at any 2012 Optima and see what I see. Once again, this is an amazing car but I see this as a safety improvement / concern. Thank you.

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The owners manual, section 3, page 8 describes the "forward and backward adjustment" of the headrests in the 2011 kia Optima. The head rests do not adjust as described in the manual. Kia customer service explains this as a "typographical error. " the problem is that the head rest is designed so that it thrusts dramatically forward. If the seat is sitting upright one must tilt ones head forward to accommodate the head rest or the seat must be leaned backward such that an individual who is 5' 2" tall can not see out the front of the vehicle.

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