Hello there, I just bought a 10 TL and so far I'm quite impressed with this vehicle. Last night however my passenger was mentioning that the head restraint bars for lack of a better term protrude into the passengers back. I had him adjust the head restraint back and forth to re create the issue while my hand was on front of the seatback. You can definitely feel it. Is that normal behavior? Does the head restraint in any of your TL's have forward and back movement like maybe it's not mounted well inside the seat?

 

Yes it's normal, it's the Active Head Restraint system. Fortunately I can't feel mine poking into my back but that may be because I lean back a little more than the average person.

 

Thanks for that. I suppose I'll have to come up with something creative if I take and long roadtrips.

 

I thought I was the only person! It bugs the crap out of me. If you want to notice just how bad it is. Sit in your seat completely, put your hands over your head and pull the headrest forward, towards you, then you'll realize just how much it's protruding into your back.

 

The seats really bothered me when I first got the car. I thought I was going to have to sell it due to neck and back pain. I just changed the way I sat in them. I had to lay it back so only the lower 1/2 - 2/3 of my back made contact with the seat. It is a more alert posture. I have a 40 min 1way daily commute and I have no issues with the seats anymore. I would not take it on any extended road trips and expect to be comfortable.

Pretty common in all new cars since they are trying to get 5* safety ratings and they need seats that prevent whiplash.

PS. the seats also have lumbar support which you can increase or decrease. This is something you can definitely feel pushing into your back if it is to high.

 

What's interesting about this is the driver seat seems fine. Just the passenger seat that's causing issues. It could very well be the way the passenger sits too. I don't sit at attention in my vehicle as I like to be comfortable. I haven't confirmed it, but does the passenger seat not have lumbar in 10? Mine is an SH/ Tech.

 

I think lumbar is only on driver side. Have you tried reclining the seat a bit for your passenger. My passengers always seem to like to lie back in my car.

 

You've already received some good responses concerning the Active Headrest System, however I wouldn't rule out an issue with the seat. Especially if it's more of an issue on one seat that the other. I'd take it to the dealer and show it to them, particularly if your still under warranty.