Jump to content

Newbie & Hate Head Restraints!


Eastern72

Recommended Posts

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and looking to buy an 2010 Edge Limited. Test drove one in Cinnamon w/Camel interior yesterday and immediately LOVED everything, except I HATED the head restraints! The salesman showed me an Escape and while the head restraint felt better, the vehicle was smaller than I wanted, and the Explorer restraints gave me the same problem as the Edge. Once I got home, I started searching for web sites that dealt with this issue and found the Ford Edge Forum. This is a great site!! I've been reading your posts about this issue, including a post from someone who substituted the Escape restraint for ones in their Edge in 2008 and all was better for them. Now, I am debating my next steps: Wonder if I can switch with 2010 Escape? Wonder if the back Edge restraints can switch to the front and be more comfortable? I don't want to flip them since it won't be able to lock in place. I read another post (ellen?) about how she had aftermarketer do a lumbar pad and went to that site, but didn't see any info about them., besides, I live in Maryland and this dealer was in Reno, NV and it sounded like you need to see him for a custom job. I guess this is a long post

from a newbie, but, I'd be greatful if anyone would tell me more about their luck on bending the posts on the restraint or share other solutions? The head restraint is really a potential deal breaker for me! Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you really rest your head on the head rest while you are driving? We had a Lexus IS 350 and if you were sitting in the seat your head would make contact with the restraint as soon as you move your head back. With that said i still have never "rested" my head on it while driving, feels very unnatural for me to lean my head backwards while driving even a fraction of an inch....btw welcome to the forum

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you really rest your head on the head rest while you are driving? We had a Lexus IS 350 and if you were sitting in the seat your head would make contact with the restraint as soon as you move your head back. With that said i still have never "rested" my head on it while driving, feels very unnatural for me to lean my head backwards while driving even a fraction of an inch....btw welcome to the forum

 

Thanks for the welcome! Yes, my head does touch the restraint because I sit up straight with my shoulders resting fully on the seat back and in this position, my head is being pushed downward by these restraints.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the welcome! Yes, my head does touch the restraint because I sit up straight with my shoulders resting fully on the seat back and in this position, my head is being pushed downward by these restraints.

 

 

Move the headrest up so your head is against the flat part of the headrest and not the top edge of it. That is why they move up and down for people of different heights.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To Picturepro, Igcitng, and Franklee - Thanks for the helpful comments. I purchased my Edge Limited FWD today and took the time to adjust the seat and height of the restraints until I felt it was in the most comfortable position and it felt better this time around than when I test drove it. Must be experiencing the euphoria of ownership! The Edge is a beautiful crossover and I am looking forward to many enjoyable rides! :happy feet:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and looking to buy an 2010 Edge Limited. Test drove one in Cinnamon w/Camel interior yesterday and immediately LOVED everything, except I HATED the head restraints! The salesman showed me an Escape and while the head restraint felt better, the vehicle was smaller than I wanted, and the Explorer restraints gave me the same problem as the Edge. Once I got home, I started searching for web sites that dealt with this issue and found the Ford Edge Forum. This is a great site!! I've been reading your posts about this issue, including a post from someone who substituted the Escape restraint for ones in their Edge in 2008 and all was better for them. Now, I am debating my next steps: Wonder if I can switch with 2010 Escape? Wonder if the back Edge restraints can switch to the front and be more comfortable? I don't want to flip them since it won't be able to lock in place. I read another post (ellen?) about how she had aftermarketer do a lumbar pad and went to that site, but didn't see any info about them., besides, I live in Maryland and this dealer was in Reno, NV and it sounded like you need to see him for a custom job. I guess this is a long post

from a newbie, but, I'd be greatful if anyone would tell me more about their luck on bending the posts on the restraint or share other solutions? The head restraint is really a potential deal breaker for me! Thanks.

Hi, welcome to the world of ford edge. I see you have already bought and many have suggested adjusting the back of the seat. I too, had this problem when I first got ours and was disapponinted till I adjusted the back of seat, wala. Love it now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, welcome to the world of ford edge. I see you have already bought and many have suggested adjusting the back of the seat. I too, had this problem when I first got ours and was disapponinted till I adjusted the back of seat, wala. Love it now.

 

Thanks, old dog! I have been driving it for 10 days and each time I have to readjust the seat to find the right spot. So, this weekend, my husband is going to bend the posts on the restraints ever so slightly to straighten the angle on them just a bit. Otherwise - my Edge is great, especially when I'm riding with the vista roof open! We have plans for Ocean City, MD for the holiday - taking Edge on the road! :shift:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...

I had the same complaint when my wife and I rented a Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle was great but I didn't like the headrests however after a day of driving I was fine. The same happened with our 07 Edge. I don't rest my head on them when I'm driving however the fact that they touched the back of my head slightly was an adjustment.

 

One thing that we all have to bear in mind is that the head rests are designed to prevent and reduce whiplash from rear end collisions and not to rest our heads. Volvo was one of if not the first automaker to design effective whiplash protection - WHIPS (WHiplash Protection System) which reduces short term injuries by 33% and long term injuries by 54%. My last car was a Volvo and I loved it. Anyhow I love my Edge more and that's the important thing. :shift:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had the same complaint when my wife and I rented a Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle was great but I didn't like the headrests however after a day of driving I was fine. The same happened with our 07 Edge. I don't rest my head on them when I'm driving however the fact that they touched the back of my head slightly was an adjustment.

 

One thing that we all have to bear in mind is that the head rests are designed to prevent and reduce whiplash from rear end collisions and not to rest our heads. Volvo was one of if not the first automaker to design effective whiplash protection - WHIPS (WHiplash Protection System) which reduces short term injuries by 33% and long term injuries by 54%. My last car was a Volvo and I loved it. Anyhow I love my Edge more and that's the important thing. :shift:

 

It seemed strange to me that the whiplash prevention would force your head to lookdown in the event of an accident. I'm tall, and there was no way to prevent this at maximum headrest height. I'm all for Volvo-esque safety, but 2 years later I still have the idea it is a bunch of bs in this use case. But on a couple of long vacations, I seem to be used to it.

 

Wife's car is a 2008. It got hit by a 2008 Navigator t-boning the right rear. Wife needed lots of chiropractic. Head restraint useless in t-bone, of course. Insurance and lawsuits never get you whole again. Uninsured Persian lady following the American dream with failing no-equity businesses, nothing to sue.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It seemed strange to me that the whiplash prevention would force your head to lookdown in the event of an accident.

 

Whiplash occurs when your head moves back rapidly. The old style headrests would not stop this backwards movement and if they were lower than your head could make it worse. The new ones prevent this backward movement preventing whiplash.

 

The new explorer comes with adjustable head restraints which should fix the problem and I assume will start to show up in other models. You might even be able to retrofit the explorer head restraints.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...

This forum should be named "Ford Edge -- Join only if you have a complaint ".

 

On the contrary, now FORD has a list of consumer concerns they can address in future models. I will tell you I NEED a chiropractor after a week of riding with those horrible headrests!

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...