I've already read through previous threads on the forum in regards to headrest discomfort. Seems I'm not the only one who despises it.Here's my question though: has anyone tried swapping out the Rav4 headrest with one from another Toyota vehicle? I would imagine the Corolla, Sienna and Camry would all have more comfotable headrests. I would also imagine the headrest mounting holes in the Rav4 match up with atleast some other Toyota models? My Rav4 is a 2008 Sport, V6
alternative headrest?
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evmoore
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I've already read through previous threads on the forum in regards to headrest discomfort. Seems I'm not the only one who despises it.Here's my question though: has anyone tried swapping out the Rav4 headrest with one from another Toyota vehicle? I would imagine the Corolla, Sienna and Camry would all have more comfotable headrests. I would also imagine the headrest mounting holes in the Rav4 match up with atleast some other Toyota models? My Rav4 is a 2008 Sport, V6
I've found out that the headrest angle changed some time in the 2008 timeframe, and that headrests from before that time are less forward protruding. Also, the rear headrests in our 2010 have different rod spacing than the fronts so swapping them front to rear won't work.
My BIL has a Lexus RX330 and I've been meaning to try a swap there but haven't had the opportunity. An upholstery shop says they can fix the angle of the headrests for a couple of hundred bucks.
We're currently on a road trip in our Rav, and because I haven't had the time to find a suitable replacement, we just flipped the headrests backwards. It's now canted backwards and it's impossible to rest your head on it at all, and there's no whiplash protection, but at least it isn't forcing our heads forward when we're driving.
My BIL has a Lexus RX330 and I've been meaning to try a swap there but haven't had the opportunity. An upholstery shop says they can fix the angle of the headrests for a couple of hundred bucks.
We're currently on a road trip in our Rav, and because I haven't had the time to find a suitable replacement, we just flipped the headrests backwards. It's now canted backwards and it's impossible to rest your head on it at all, and there's no whiplash protection, but at least it isn't forcing our heads forward when we're driving.
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I currently have my driver's headrest backwards.... I did it as an experiment, and I haven't thought about it much since I flipped it. I should think about it some more.
I suspect there is some whiplash protection that way.
Regarding adjusting the angle, I wonder if there is some simple machine shop press that could do a 1 or 2 degree bend at the right place. What would an upholstery shop do? Move some padding out of where the head touches?
I think that those who recline their seatbacks more are not going to have a problem, because their heads are tilted forward to see.
I suspect there is some whiplash protection that way.
Regarding adjusting the angle, I wonder if there is some simple machine shop press that could do a 1 or 2 degree bend at the right place. What would an upholstery shop do? Move some padding out of where the head touches?
I think that those who recline their seatbacks more are not going to have a problem, because their heads are tilted forward to see.
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I changed my rav4 front headrests with a pair from a 2009 Lexus RX350. I'm under the impression Lexus RX330/350 years 2004 to 2009 are similar. It appears Lexus changed the design in 2010 more like the rav4. The new headrest allows my head to go back just slightly more and feels more comfortable.
I'll bet anything that you could swap out a Sienna or Camry headrest and put it in the Rav4 with no problems. If anyone has another Toyota car you should try it. I don't particularly care about the function of the headrest and turning it backwards isn't the solution either. I'm set on replacing it.
05 Sienna headrests fit
As new owners of a 2011 RAV4 Sport 4WD, our first problem with the front seats was the headrests. We also happen to own an 05 Sienna and easily fitted those headrests into the 11 RAV4, the only problem is they're light blue and the RAV4 interior is black. I have searched ebay and there are some Sienna and RAV4 headrests available.
The only other issue we have with the front seats is they just don't have enough lumbar support.
As new owners of a 2011 RAV4 Sport 4WD, our first problem with the front seats was the headrests. We also happen to own an 05 Sienna and easily fitted those headrests into the 11 RAV4, the only problem is they're light blue and the RAV4 interior is black. I have searched ebay and there are some Sienna and RAV4 headrests available.
The only other issue we have with the front seats is they just don't have enough lumbar support.
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When I switched my front headrests the color was also mis-matched. I found a company on-line that make custom headrest covers. I purchased black. The company is customheadrestcovers.com. You might consider that option. The fit was perfect.
Since it seems they went to active headrests around 2008...has anyone purchased 2007 headrest to see if they fit? I see some on ebay...it's about $100, well worth the price to me to fix the headrest issue. But I don't want to buy them if they won't fit in the pegs.
I know I am giving up safety of active headrests by switching them. I can live with that.
I know I am giving up safety of active headrests by switching them. I can live with that.
Actually, they changed over to active headrests in the 2009 model year:
https://www.rav4world.com/d1/attachments/pdf/2009/2009_RAV4_New_Features.pdf
Rear headrests
I have a somewhat related question. After enjoying my recent purchase of an 06 Base 4WD, I discovered the rear seat headrests are missing. Front seat posts are 15cm on center and rear are 14cm. So, no interchange. It would be a great help if anyone knows if any other models will fit this spacing (Camry rear, Yaris rear?) I have noticed in OEM photos that they have an offset that looks like the rear of a bicycle helmet. I'm guessing it's to keep them low when not in use. OEM new cost $250 ea. That's way steep for such a small part.
Thanks
I have a somewhat related question. After enjoying my recent purchase of an 06 Base 4WD, I discovered the rear seat headrests are missing. Front seat posts are 15cm on center and rear are 14cm. So, no interchange. It would be a great help if anyone knows if any other models will fit this spacing (Camry rear, Yaris rear?) I have noticed in OEM photos that they have an offset that looks like the rear of a bicycle helmet. I'm guessing it's to keep them low when not in use. OEM new cost $250 ea. That's way steep for such a small part.
Thanks
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I've had my 2009 for a couple of weeks now and I'm getting neck and shoulder aches from these damn headrests..
What a poor design. Can anyone confirm that
2008 and earlier will fit the 2009 and later vehicles?
I went on a 300 mile trip last night. After the first hour, I pulled over and took the darned thing completely off and threw it in the back. MUCH better! No neckache!
What a poor design. Can anyone confirm that
2008 and earlier will fit the 2009 and later vehicles?
I went on a 300 mile trip last night. After the first hour, I pulled over and took the darned thing completely off and threw it in the back. MUCH better! No neckache!
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I think that the 2009 headrests are ok for those who recline their seats a lot. I don't, so I agree. You may get some relief by putting the headrest all of the way up or down. If worse comes to worse, you could reverse the headrests.
From what I think I have read, the older headrests will fit your 2009.
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I'm 6' 190 pounds and I drive with the seat all the way back and the seat back slightly tilted back a few clicks and the head rest fully down.. I have had no problem with the head rests in this comfortable driving position. My head doesn't touch the head rest unless I bend my head back a few inches.
I'm really curious how some of you are having such problems with it.. do you drive with the seat straight up, or tilted way back?
The Rav4's have some of the best crash tests results, I wouldn't be removing the head rests or reversing them. If you ever have a rear collision it will protect you from whip lash. If you ever have a front collision, it will protect you from potentially life threatening danger from the air bag going off in your face.
Just my opinion though.. :shrug:
I'm really curious how some of you are having such problems with it.. do you drive with the seat straight up, or tilted way back?
The Rav4's have some of the best crash tests results, I wouldn't be removing the head rests or reversing them. If you ever have a rear collision it will protect you from whip lash. If you ever have a front collision, it will protect you from potentially life threatening danger from the air bag going off in your face.
Just my opinion though.. :shrug:
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Fairly erect. Do you tilt back because you like it that way or because your head would hit the headliner?
I understand that trading comfort for protection is not a happy choice.
Note that having the headrest all of the way down reduces its effectiveness for you in a crash. I do that now for comfort, which is what I think you said you do. I had my headrests backwards for a while, but putting them forward but lowered is where I have it now.
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If some of you don't have neck or shoulder problems that's great! After an hour in the vehicle my shoulder and neck are in significant discomfort...It's a tough position to be in with a choice between either greater safety or comfort. I'm just not willing to sacrifice that much comfort for 200,000 miles of driving. Engineers should figure this stuff out.
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I think the engineers designed the 2006...2008 headrests. The redesign was due to a change in US regulations. See Head Restraints - Comfort Vs. Safety - autoMedia.com
Now how does a requirement that the headrest not be more than 2.2 inches from the head turn into full contact with the head? I think it must be measured by the person who put the green checkmark on 135 degree reclining picture:
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Now you all really have me curious, so I went out and checked out exactly how I sit and if I can find a position where the head rest and seat is uncomfortable.
I drive with my seat all the way back, the seat bottom ratcheted all the way down and the seat back tilt is 3-4 clicks from straight up.. I don't know what degrees that is, but I would guess it's between the middle picture, straight up, and the third picture at 135 degrees.... maybe it's about 110 degrees? Thanks for the info, Carbon.
Also, I was wrong, my headrest wasn't all the way down, it is about maybe 1" above the seat top, but I went ahead and tried putting it all the way down and it ends up hitting the back of my head right at the soft spot below the back skull bone and is about 2 inches back when I am driving in a comfortable position. When I raise it up to where it hits the back of my skull when I tilt my head back, it still has about 2 inches clearance.
If I put the seat straight upright I do feel like the headrest is bumping the back of my head, but then I'm way to close to the steering wheel anyway, even with it retracted fully forward. If I drove like this I probably would be very uncomfortable in a short time.
My driving position that gives me the best control is when my arms are slightly bent when they are at 10 and 2 o'clock on the wheel and can be straightened if I want... this position is from driving sports cars for many years and gives me the best control cornering. The wheel is tilted so that I can clearly see the dash gauges and not feel like the wheel is too high up.
I found this diagram on the Motor Trend site and it looks pretty much like how I sit in the RAV4
Have some of you complaining about this tried tilting your seat back a bit and then adjusting the steering wheel closer to you? This may be the solution. You might also want to play around with the seat height adjustment.
My wife, who is 5'4" at first complained about the head rest too. I had her Raise the rear of the seat with the controls, scoot it forward, and lean it back a little along with moving the wheel back and closer to her. She was then comfortable.
If the car is as uncomfortable as some of you are describing, and if you can't do anything to correct it by adjusting the seat height, angle, distance, and wheel positions, I would suggest you get a different car rather than remove the headrests or reversing or replaceing them. It's not only the fact that you are then putting yourself in more danger from an accident, you are also giving your insurance company an easy out from covering you in an accident... they aren't as dumb as you might think and love to find excuses to not pay up.
I drive with my seat all the way back, the seat bottom ratcheted all the way down and the seat back tilt is 3-4 clicks from straight up.. I don't know what degrees that is, but I would guess it's between the middle picture, straight up, and the third picture at 135 degrees.... maybe it's about 110 degrees? Thanks for the info, Carbon.
Also, I was wrong, my headrest wasn't all the way down, it is about maybe 1" above the seat top, but I went ahead and tried putting it all the way down and it ends up hitting the back of my head right at the soft spot below the back skull bone and is about 2 inches back when I am driving in a comfortable position. When I raise it up to where it hits the back of my skull when I tilt my head back, it still has about 2 inches clearance.
If I put the seat straight upright I do feel like the headrest is bumping the back of my head, but then I'm way to close to the steering wheel anyway, even with it retracted fully forward. If I drove like this I probably would be very uncomfortable in a short time.
My driving position that gives me the best control is when my arms are slightly bent when they are at 10 and 2 o'clock on the wheel and can be straightened if I want... this position is from driving sports cars for many years and gives me the best control cornering. The wheel is tilted so that I can clearly see the dash gauges and not feel like the wheel is too high up.
I found this diagram on the Motor Trend site and it looks pretty much like how I sit in the RAV4
Have some of you complaining about this tried tilting your seat back a bit and then adjusting the steering wheel closer to you? This may be the solution. You might also want to play around with the seat height adjustment.
My wife, who is 5'4" at first complained about the head rest too. I had her Raise the rear of the seat with the controls, scoot it forward, and lean it back a little along with moving the wheel back and closer to her. She was then comfortable.
If the car is as uncomfortable as some of you are describing, and if you can't do anything to correct it by adjusting the seat height, angle, distance, and wheel positions, I would suggest you get a different car rather than remove the headrests or reversing or replaceing them. It's not only the fact that you are then putting yourself in more danger from an accident, you are also giving your insurance company an easy out from covering you in an accident... they aren't as dumb as you might think and love to find excuses to not pay up.
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Whiplash
This is also a good article:
"The chances of sustaining a whiplash injury are three times greater than a fatality or an injury requiring extensive hospitalization, according to Department of Transportation statistics. And according to experts at the Spinal Injury Foundation, between 25 and 40 percent of whiplash victims will have chronic symptoms from damage to joints, discs, ligaments and nerves. In one recent study, one-third of patients, 17 years after their whiplash injury, were still disabled. There are 12 million whiplash injuries reported every year and more than $29 billion is spent on healthcare or litigation related to the injury."
This is also a good article:
"The chances of sustaining a whiplash injury are three times greater than a fatality or an injury requiring extensive hospitalization, according to Department of Transportation statistics. And according to experts at the Spinal Injury Foundation, between 25 and 40 percent of whiplash victims will have chronic symptoms from damage to joints, discs, ligaments and nerves. In one recent study, one-third of patients, 17 years after their whiplash injury, were still disabled. There are 12 million whiplash injuries reported every year and more than $29 billion is spent on healthcare or litigation related to the injury."
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