I fully agree with the following previous complaint: 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid front seat headrest/restraint. The front seat headrests protrude forward well past the preferred alignment of the spine. The driver is compelled to operate the vehicle with head pushed forward. This poor ergonomics has resulted in neck and back pain, headaches, and general discomfort. The manufacturer should consider a redesign and make such redesign available to consumers. This situation is so bad that I have reversed the position of the head rests, thus rendering them totally ineffective. I am unable to drive or ride in this car with the head rests in the normal position.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

2010 Ford Fusion hybrid front seat headrest/restraint. The front seat headrests protrude forward well past the preferred alignment of the spine. The driver is compelled to operate the vehicle with head pushed forward. This poor ergonomics has resulted in neck and back pain, headaches, and general discomfort. The manufacturer should consider a redesign and make such redesign available to consumers.

- Waltham, MA, USA

I have a 2010 Ford Fusion sel and the headrest is too far forward as not to be comfortable. I have back and neck problems as it is and this only makes it worse! I have to put the seat back back so far to not have my head crunched forward.

- Sahuarita, AZ, USA

2011 Ford Fusion headrest is so far forward that it forces my wife's head forward, causing severe neck pain. As a result she removed the headrest. This is unsafe situation but necessary for her to be able to drive the card.

- Lapeer, MI, USA

2010 Ford Fusion head rests really hurt the neck and shoulders after any period of driving. Ford needs to replace with better ergo head rests.

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

The 2010 Ford Fusion has poorly designed driver/passenger head restraints. I, of height 5'7", test drove one yesterday, and got no further than 0.25 miles before needing to park. The headrest is angled forward, causing excessive neck strain, and there is no way to adjust its tilt to a more vertical position. I did subsequently complete the test drive, albeit with frequent bodily adjustments. Driving this vehicle with proper posture is impossible with these head restraint design. Ps: the link below for emailing the NHTSA is broken. www.NHTSA.gov/NHTSA-dpmextn/jsp/email/email_nhtsa.jsp.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

I just bought a 2010 Ford Fusion. I know now why they only allow you to test drive these cars around the block. The first time I drove it, I got a burning pain down my neck and a piercing headache. The headrest is a wedge with the greatest protrusion hitting the greatest protrusion of the back of your head. No adjustment of the seat or headrest helps. I tried to return the car immediately, but they refused. This weird angle puts your chin down on your chest and your sight line in a hazardous alignment. If there were a wreck, the angle would cause your neck to snap. Ford is aware of this, apparently, and has received many complaints, yet does nothing. People are resorting to turning the headrest around, which will not protect against whiplash, or having it bent in a vise, which could allow it to break in a collision. All the Ford now have this dangerous torture device, so you cannot change them. Help!

- Raleigh, NC, USA

Iinformation redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) have recently purchased a 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid, VIN [xxx]. I love everything about the car except the front seat head restraints. They are angled too far forward and are not adjustable except for height. They force the head to bend forward, chin down, so that to look out the windshield one has to have the eyes in a "looking up" position, causing eye muscle strain. My wife has back problems and this non-adjustable design exacerbates the situation in her opinion and in her chiropractor's opinion. We think Ford should provide replacement headrests that allow the upper cervical vertebrae to be aligned with the lower spine when the rider's back is in full contact with the seat back. I have enjoyed having cars in which the headrest can be pivoted to allow drivers of different builds to find a comfortable head and neck position without compromising the goal of protection against whiplash injury. Please get Ford Motor Company to replace these uncomfortable, intrusive headrests with redesigned ones!

- Big Spring, TX, USA

Since buying a new 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid, the head rest/restraints for both front seat passengers are made too far forward and touch the back of the head while driving. Although we are told they are made this way for our safety, they are very annoying. The angle can not even be changed and we are still looking to replace them if we could just find ones that are just 1" further back. I have gone on-line on the internet and see lots of people complaining about the same issue and wonder why the NHTSA has not issued a recall or even required Ford to provide a replacement for a small fee? they bother my wife so much that she has removed them from the seats. Now we do not have any protection from a rear end collision.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

My complaint is not specific to any particular automobile, but instead concerns the front seat headrests in many late-model vehicles. These headrests are angled too far forward and are causing drivers and front seat passengers to experience significant neck, back, and shoulder discomfort. This change in headrest design is too extreme. On the internet, I have read that many car owners are removing the headrests and replacing them with the forward surface facing rearward. Others are removing these headrests altogether. It is understood that whiplash injuries may occur less frequently with the new standards, however the discomfort experienced while driving for even a short period of time is causing people to have headaches and neck and back symptoms that may eventually lead to related chronic conditions.

- Carnegie, PA, USA

The head rest on my new 2010 Ford Focus (not a Fusion as noted) protrudes forward beyond the top of the seat causing my head and neck to be pushed forward into an unnatural position with my spine. This, in turn, is a very unsafe driving position to be in due to misalignment of my head, neck and spine and causes unnecessary fatigue, neck pain and headache. It is especially awkward and difficult to drive and look toward the right rear of the vehicle while being forced into a "crook neck" position by the forward protruding head rest. I purchased to vehicle new under the cash for clunkers program and without driving it. This was a big mistake as I got myself into an apparent unsafe vehicle. After driving it for only 40 miles, I experienced neck pain. My investigation revealed that the forward protruding head rest was the problem. I promptly notified the dealer where I bought it and was advised by my sales person that several other people have also complained about these head rests. I then notified Ford Motor Company customer services of the problem and was advised, "the head rests are made to our specifications". I indicated that this is a safety issue and suggested that they do something about it before they have another Firestone tire type of problem to deal with. The company rep. Then proceeded to hang up on me. As a remedy to my complaint. The dealer (service manager) removed the head rests from the front seats of my new car and suggested that I, "go to a salvage (junk) yard and try to get replacement head rests that do not cause the problem". I reminded him that I had just turned in a '93 aerostar that did not have the problem and he replied, "we just sell the cars - we don't build them". with the head rests removed, I now have no protection from whiplash which is another safety problem. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate these head rests (asap) to prevent injury, death or property damage. A recall is needed here. Thank you

- Canton, MI, USA