I need new headrest (or mod the OEMs)

[dwyattfree]

This is my major beef with my 2103 CX-5 that I bought in December. It's definitely liability avoiding overkill on Mazda's part. If anyone comes up with a fix let us know! Thanks.

 

[HandA]

in earlier threads folks have mentioned how the european version of the cx-5 have better headrests. if anybody has a lead on this option, i'm sure many here would be interested.

The European CX-5's actually have what are called Active Head Restraints. They are a bit more complex in that the 'active' part it is mostly in the seat. On impact the force of your body against the lower part of the seat pushes a levered type system that then pushes the headrest forward to meet your head as it comes back. So unfortunately, you'd need the Euro seatback as well.

The headrests have been discussed quite a bit in the past and people seem to be divided into 3 groups:

Those that have never noticed it

Those that did notice it and adjusted the seat

and those that even adjusting the seat doesn't help.

It is all dependent on seating position.

If you are used to sitting with back straight and neck and head straight in line with the back then the headrests do make it harder to get comfortable.

If you can adjust to leaning the seat back slightly and having your shoulders away from the seat and angling your body it works better. Kinda of a slightly reclined slouch sort of position. It took some getting used to but I can do that for awhile but then my back and shoulders cramp up after awhile and I have to adjust them back more upright and deal with getting smacked with the headrest when I go over bumps for awhile.

 

[HandA]

I don't understand this problem. Are those of you who the headrest is infringing upon sitting bolt upright, as in a straight back chair? That I could understand. I am 6' 2" and have no problem, and I see someone on here who is 5'9" with no problem. Recline the seat a little and move it slightly forward if you want to be that close to the wheel. As for me I want to be as far away from that airbag as possible, not sitting close to it.

Basically the difference I've found is if one sits with their shoulders against the seat or not.
If one drives like in this picture:

It isn't a problem, her shoulders aren't back against the seat so the headrest doesn't get in the way. (and whatever car she is in doesn't have headrests that are tilted forward anyways but you get the point)

So it isn't really a sitting up straight problem or a height problem as much as just sitting straight. One could have the seat tilted back 10-20 degrees but as long as they are used to having their back, neck and head all in a straight line the headrest will still get in the way.

It isn't a problem that is unique to Mazda. An online search for "headrests tilt too far forward" will turn up a huge variety of results. Basically the problem is it is really tough to engineer a seat that will fit all shapes and sizes and sitting positions of everyone and be safe for all of them.

 

[HandA]

just a quick (and pretty sloppy) photoshop job on the photo from another post.

Even reclined the headrest still is in the way if she tries to sit with her body straight. It is just more dramatic the way she had it in that photo, which was probably her goal.

So it isn't the angle of the seat as much as the bends or lack there of in the body.