ACURA MDX . ORG Archive - Seat Design in MDX causing neck injury?

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Seat Design in MDX causing neck injury? - Click HERE for Original Thread

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Concerned

The following article http://consumeraffairs.com/news/head_rest.html indicates that many vehicles suffer from poor head restraints. Some Honda/Acura's don't perform very well. Does anyone know if the MDX seats are based on any of the poorly performing Honda/Acuras listed on the IIHS site? See also http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ra...raints/head.htm

MDX head restraint is adjustable and should be positioned at least as high as the head's center of gravity, or on an adult about (3.5 inches) below the top of the head. The distance behind the head, should be as small as possible. These are adjustable on the MDX, most problems/injuries have been with fixed headrest or improperly adjusted headrests.
Roger
http://www.acurapricing.com

Concerned

Thanks, for the response, but I don't think this really addresses the problem I am asking about. I assume the IIHS has taken this into account when testing the other Hondas/Acuras which do not perform very well on the test. Since the MDX itself has not been crash tested by the IIHS, then the next best thing is to look at the seat design and compare it to other Hondas. Given the number of rear-enders that I have seen lately, I am concerned the MDX does not provide proper protection.

Concerned,
I suggest you get a copy of February's Good Housekeeping since there is an article projecting that the MDX will likely have a very good crash rating since it is based off of the Honda Odyssey mini-van which has been touted as a very safe vehicle. If you are still skeptical check out the Volvo Cross Country. Volvo has built its reputation on safety and it might just be a better match for you. It is also about the same price as the MDX depending on options.

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One downside to at least the 2001/2 Volvo XC (and one reason we are no longer in the market for one) is that the head restraints are NOT adjustable. Rather they are fixed "2003-compliant" restraints which perform exceptionally in crash tests as part of their overall whiplash-protection setup. Only problem for us was that for my wife (5'3") the restraint actually caused her head to tilt forward at a very uncomfortable angle when she was in a normal driving position. Unless we missed something, the fixed-position of the Volvo head restraint meant that this would be an permanent situation for anyone of small stature For us = deal killer.

Older Hondas didn't do as well at IIHS offset crash tests, and in the head restraints rating.

However, the more recent vintage (and larger) Honda Odyssey scored an overall "good" in IIHS offset crash tests:

http://www.highwaysafety.org/vehicl.../html/98024.htm

The Odyssey's head restraints only got marginal/poor ratings.

Now to follow, the new 2001 Civic boasts the BEST offset crash test ratings of ANY small car IIHS has tested:

http://www.highwaysafety.org/vehicl.../html/00031.htm

http://www.highwaysafety.org/vehicl...mmary_small.htm

And the 2001 Civic has head restraints rated "good."

Dunno how this will all end up relating to the MDX. But it shows that as manufacturers account for safety with newer, fresher designs, they can definitely improve their vehicles.

Folks;

I'd not be baited by the Concerned Guest... sign up, speak your piece.

Don't drop a piece of crap "does anyone know if the MDX has these bad headrests?"

No, clearly nobody does yet. Do you know? Or are you just slinging crap anonomously? Why the F are you "concerned the MDX does not provide proper protection"? Do you own one, or thinking of one? or are you selling Mercedes?

Go away.

Ard,
I had exactly the same reaction as you when I read this person's posts. I just told them to go to a Volvo dealer rather than to pound sand!