cc_rider

We are the proud owners of a 2009 MDX: the wife's dream car.

So far it's wonderful, except for one problem: the head rests, especially on the driver's side, seem to sit too far forward. When her head is against the rest, her whole upper is not touching the seat! It's causing some back pain.

Is it possible the head rest mechanism is stuck in the 'forward' position? How can we check it, or fix it?

I'm an accomplished DIYer, but I know the seats are loaded with all sorts of scary things, like air bags. I'll take it to the dealer if I HAVE to, but I'd like to find out what the experts here say first.

Thanks all!

c.

Litt

How tall is your wife. Can you lift the head rest all the way up? if the head rest is higher than maybe it wouldn't cause such a problem. recline the seat back a bit?

Sorry to say but the problem is these modern whiplash reducing designed headrests. Acura feels they need to put them in to get a 5 star crash rating.

cc_rider

She's normal height, 5'4" maybe. We'll try raising the headrest, but it sure seems like something is just not right.

The owner's manual has an illustration of the headrest system, it appears to be a fairly simple mechanism. The manual says it will reset itself.

I wonder if there is a way to test the mechanism, without getting in a crash? Push hard against the seatback somehow?

Thanks for reply, regardless.

Litt

I'll check out my mdx to see if it can go forward and backwards. You might try comparing your seat to ones at the dealership to see if it is the same.

cc_rider

Thanks Litt!

She did some research, apparently it's a common complaint for women. One idea is to turn the headrest around 180 degrees. We're gonna try that.

According to the complaints, if you take it to the dealer, they'll disassemble the headrest, remove some of the foam and reassemble it. Runs about $600(!!). I could have an auto upholsterer do it for a fraction of that. But nothing so drastic yet...

Thanks!

c.

Litt

Sorry your having this issue. I find the headrests in my TL are too far forward. My wife is about 5,2' and she doesn't complain about the MDX seats, although I have the headrest lifted all the way up.

In my TL I solved my issue by getting a 3G TL headrest and using it in my 4G TL. Both black leather. The 3G TL headrest slid right in, and is not tilted forward nearly as much. Maybe you do something similar.

I don't think it would be comfortable / safe to have the headrest reversed. That is pretty much like having no headrest at all.

Best of luck.

cc_rider

The wife has been reading up on it. Another solution somebody has done is to put a slight bend in the headrest posts. I think it would require disassembling the headrest to keep from damaging the upholstery, but it would be pretty simple to use a shop press to put a slight bend in the posts. As long as you didn't get crazy with it, or use heat, it would not affect the mechanical integrity of the posts.