2012 Toyota Prius Headrests are hurting my neck!

I'm guessing it would be more comfortable if you weren't wearing a gas mask!

On a serious note, have you tried adjusting the seat back angle & or the lumbar to see if there's a different body geometry set-up that's more comfortable for your neck?

 

1./ A clear case of YCMV, 'Your Comfort May Vary'. We find the headrests perfectly situated and angled for driving and for leaning back and resting. Not sure for which portions of the ergonomic and anthropometric spectrum that applies, but in our opinion, the Prius v human design factors are on the money.

2./ Great way to ruin a set of headrests (or rocker panel).

3./ Hopefully never occurs, but should you ever suffer whiplash (or worse) in an accident, and the car be inspected, owner modifications will be raised as a factor in any injury-related claim.

 

The best fix is to use a different headrest. I found that the headrest from the Gen-3 Prius was a perfect fit. They turn up on eBay regularly. In fact I still use one in my Rav4 since it had the same problem.

 

Of course they are not head rests but they are required in cars to prevent whiplash during a rear end collision, which in turn protects your neck and spine. So how tall are you? When you say lean back I assume you mean that the normal driving position does not contact your head? Personally I am 6'3", have the seat back adjusted somewhat lower than some to allow more torso room, but don't have the contact issue you describe.

 

I'm 6' with a long torso. When I sit in normal driving position in my '12 v, my head doesn't touch the headrest. The top of the seat combined with my back seems to hold me away from the headrest. Just back from a 2 hour trip, no issues.

Were I to have the headrest back further, all that would do is give my head more room to accelerate in a rear end collision.

Of course, that my body shape has no problems means nothing to your body shape. Individual body shapes vary. A car manufacturer has to design to some average and to test against some "average" dummy height.

 

6'4" here and love the seating position and comfort on long road trips.

 

I love how people try to convince you there's nothing uncomfortable about the seat. Anyhow, I simply couldn't drive my v for more than 10 min with the stock headrest in it. The Gen-3 Prius headrest was a perfect fit for me in the v. My Rav4 has the same issue but to a lesser degree, but still I got out the Gen-3 Prius headrest and use that with excellent results.

 

I think no one has said there is nothing uncomfortable about the seat. What I and others have noted is "we" don't have a problem with the head rest, which was the OP's primary comment. Personally, I added a lumbar support almost immediately and had used one in an earlier Honda. Obviously my lower back has more curve than some. My head does not contact the "head rest" and I appreciate that it is close enough to do a good job against whiplash. Other's body shapes and heads are clearly different and must be contacting the head rest in normal driving.

 

Be aware that a Softex covered headrest is about $500 at the dealer. So finding a replacement might be a better idea than breaking the one you have.

 

FWIW...on a thread somewhere in this forum...maybe under "what did you do to your Prius" "Japanese aftermarket products", or some other title..... I saw a picture of a set of aftermarket neck pillows that attached to the seats with a Velcro strap (I suppose) just under the head rest.

If the OP can find that thread, just maybe this is a solution others have come up with.

Good luck.

 

I use a neck cushion pad and they help, especially on long drives.

 

Good to know.

Is that a phone holder tray on the passenger side air vent?

 

Yes it's multipurpose. It retracts so it also works as a cup holder.

 

Hope you never need its originally designed whiplash protection function.