Jump to content

Front seat not comfortable for short people


Irontrader

Recommended Posts

We have a new 2015 Edge SEL AWD which I am quite happy with for the first 1200 miles.

However, my wife is 5'3" and is complaining that the front seats do not tilt far enough down in the front.

Consequently the front of the seat is making contact with the back of her knee and her feet barely touch the floor.

This become uncomfortable on longer trips.

 

I don't know if this is something the dealership can adjust or not. Anyone else have this complaint?

 

Just a quick look at the front passenger seat framework looks like the problem would be solved if the front mounts could be lowered an inch.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The dealership wouldn't be able to adjust it due to liability issues. An aftermarket company might be able to do it or it's possible you could swap out the seat or seat frames for a different model with more adjustments (maybe).

 

Another option would be to simply add a box of some kind under the floor mat.

 

We have a similar issue with our 2014 Escape passenger seat but not quite that bad.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fairly common complaint for shorter people. My wife whines that my last car had more comfortable seats (she's 5'-3"). It had fabric seats, the MKX has leather which you slide around on more. And the seats are just a little too long in front, resulting in crowing the backs of her knees (the Merc Sable had shorter seat bottoms).

 

Anyway, why not look into a good quality seat cushion, one higher in back than in front. Here's a good example, rated 5 (out of 5) stars on Amazon (77 ratings), one reported she was 5' and worked perfectly, one reports she had back problems, etc. Might be exactly what she needs.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Cushion-Support-Anti-Flatten-Clever-Breathable/dp/B00Q5HXQ9O/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1441227795&sr=8-5&keywords=automotive+cushion

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had already thought that getting some WeatherTech floor mats would help raise the floor a bit.

Also having a 1" mat or something would also work.

But the real problem is the front of the seat cannot be tilted down enough.

Perhaps something like this would work OK. Lightweight, inexpensive and perfectly designed for this exact situation. Just "raise" her seat up to adjust the knee angle.

http://www.wayfair.com/Go-Travel-Foot-Rest-Ottoman-475-GOTR1083.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also having a 1" mat or something would also work.

But the real problem is the front of the seat cannot be tilted down enough.

How about using 2 layers of 3/4" OSB under the floor mat? You could buy a 4x4 piece at Lowe's or Manards, cut it in half and use the carpeted floor mat as a templete. Glue/ fasten the two pieces together and the floor on her side would be raised 1-1/2". (2 pieces of 5/8" would raise 1-1/4", 2-pieces of 1/2" would raise the floor 1".) Anyway, the wood is water resistant (I would still use Weathertech in the inclimate weather) and if slightly smaller that the carpet, would not show.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I wish I had read this 2 weeks ago. Just bought my 2015 Ford Edge and driver seat is so uncomfortable. Test drive SEL but bought SE and didn't realize it didn't have power seat. I'm only 5' and can not get comfortable because seats tilt up no matter what I do. Tried contacting dealer and they didn't respond. Hope this isn't a $30,000 mistake!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

I am not short 5' 10" and have the full power seat on the driver's side and find it to be very uncomfortable. When you try to lower the front of the seat the seat moves forward, too far forward. As a result it restricts the blood circulation to my feet. I had a rental Explorer in which the power seat actual lowered in the front without affecting the distance backward that the seat moves. Another issue for me is the lumbar support doesn't seem to completely deflate and causes me some back discomfort. Laterally I don't have a problem with the seat, but my only relief right now is to have the seat almost on the "floor" and then I get some leg relief, but it is so low I am not comfortable driving. Bit weird that the Explorer seat is so adjustable and the Edge is not

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is the biggest complaint I also have with my 2015 Edge SEL, is that the front of the seat does not go down low enough. If I put the front at its lowest position, it is still too high under my legs. If I raise the back part of the seat to a spot that seems to relieve this, then my head hits the ceiling (I have the pano roof). It seems like raising the rear, also raises the whole seat even though it is a 10 way seat.

Edited by DougS
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My wife and I are both short (5'2 and 5'6). It took about 500 miles for us to find the right position for the seats. If you are shorter than 5'2 I could see it being a challenge.

 

Our process was to move the steering wheel up and in all the way. Adjust for feet comfort and pedal distance first, steering wheel next, the other seat adjustments. It took some time but now we like the seats. Also, the trim level (SE, SEL, Titanium) and if the seats are vented (cooled) make a difference as to the comfort level.) There are 6 different seats available.
-Lee

Here is a good thread to reference.
http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/18643-seats-giving-me-a-back-problem/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

I'm a female who is 4' 11" tall. The driver's seat of my 2015 Ford Edge killed my legs just driving around town running errands. There was no way I could have driven it on a long trip. After trying to adjust the seat every way possible and putting foam behind me to try to keep from sliding back in the seat, I was seriously considering trading the car. I talked to the dealership and they said they couldn't do anything to fix it but suggested I talk to a car upholstery shop to see what they could do to the seat. I took the car to a local upholstery shop and they took out the hard foam that was in the seat and put in a much softer foam. The car is a dream to drive now. I just returned from a trip where I had to drive six hours a day for two days. The seat never hurt my legs. It only cost $90.00 to fix the seat. I'm blown away by the difference. They saved me from trading the car.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I took it to a company that is an auto seat cover, top, and upholstery repair company. They also have to be airbag certified because it's against the law for them to work on the seat unless they are. I wouldn't let anyone touch my car who wasn't certified because they might mess up your side airbags. They should be listed under auto in a directory. My dealership told me where to go but I already knew they were the best in town by their reputation. They understood my problem and knew exactly what had to be done to fix it. I wasn't the first person they had seen with this problem and it wasn't just the Ford Edge. I would recommend this move to anyone whose seat was uncomfortable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...