Rear seat headrest safety

quattro100 · Dec 26, 2012

Hey guys, so I finally got to test the Tesla S and I have to say this is a truly amazing car. I got my checks ready to put down the deposit but then the plan didn't work out.... My wife, sitting at the back of the car, has a very strong opinion about the lack of support from the rear headrest. She felt that this is a big safety issue for the family. It is very hard for me to argue against that.....

As a owner, what do you guys think? Is there any thing Tesla is working on to respond to that?

It is unfortunately for me as I am so ready ditch the Cayenne for the Tesla S......

smorgasbord · Dec 26, 2012

Unfortunately, I have to agree. I'm 5' 11" and in the back seat hit my head on the roof (this is a car with the sunroof) when the driver had some fun with the accelerator without warning us passengers. It hurt and ruined the rest of the ride for me. As I've said before, though, I think we're going to have to wait for Elon's kids to grow up before the rear seat legroom and headroom issues are fixed. Styling and aerodynamics are more important to Tesla right now.

dsm363 · Dec 26, 2012

quattro100 said:
Hey guys, so I finally got to test the Tesla S and I have to say this is a truly amazing car. I got my checks ready to put down the deposit but then the plan didn't work out.... My wife, sitting at the back of the car, has a very strong opinion about the lack of support from the rear headrest. She felt that this is a big safety issue for the family. It is very hard for me to argue against that.....

As a owner, what do you guys think? Is there any thing Tesla is working on to respond to that?

It is unfortunately for me as I am so ready ditch the Cayenne for the Tesla S......

The official results aren't out yet but it is supposed to receive 5 star crash rating in all categories. Don't know if that is factored in or not though.

montgom626 · Dec 26, 2012

I am never riding in the back. So it does not matter to me at all.

Krugerrand · Dec 26, 2012

What about the rear 'head rest' (the OP wasn't talking about head room or leg room) does she feel is unsafe? How does it differ from other rear head rests? In what way does she think it needs to be changed?

She's the first to say that the rear head rests appeared unsafe.

quattro100 · Dec 26, 2012

I think my mistake was to 'accelerate' the Tesla S performance at full power.... That killed the deal for her. The specialist said that there are many customers (I am in HK) mentioning about the option to have flexible headrest at the back, but I doubt they can have it fix by next yr.

This is a sad day for me. I have spent weeks reading up EVERYTHING on this forum and all reviews out there. Tested, loved it and this rear headset issue killed the deal....

montgom626 said:
I am never riding in the back. So it does not matter to me at all.

- - - Updated - - -

Basically, she's 5 5', not that tall but she sat straight. The rear head rest doesn't complete support her head and when I accelerate hard, her head didn't get enough support by the head rest and thus her neck was slightly irritated. This gives her an impression that if we were in accident, the rear head rest can't provide enough support.

She usually sat at the back for the Cayenne or the 5 series and she compares the experience she had from those 2 cars.

- - - Updated - - -

I am pretty sure the car should be safe.... I guess it is about perception.... sigh...

Krugerrand · Dec 26, 2012

You should have married me, I'm all about drag racing from stop signs and such, and think nothing of a little whiplash as a consequence. :tongue:

Maybe you shouldn't always make your wife sit in the back seat. Letting her sit up front would have had you a new car. :wink:

dsm363 · Dec 26, 2012

At 5'5" her head is above the rear headrest? I'll have to go check the back seat out.

quattro100 · Dec 26, 2012

Not completely over, just part of it. I am 6'2". My head basically touches the roof but I rarely sat at the back. Man, depressed day. Heading to the porsche dealer ship now. Maybe the Cayenne GTS can cured my depression for now until I hear back from Tesla on the rear headrest issue. (I wrote them an email).

- - - Updated - - -

She used to be at the front seat all the time in my S4 back in Canada. But now she is a rear passenger with our 2 years old kid.
I suppose this is the trade off.

I am lucky, I don't have to drive a safe Volvo already. Is amazing how girls change after baby comes.

Krugerrand said:
You should have married me, I'm all about drag racing from stop signs and such, and think nothing of a little whiplash as a consequence. :tongue:

Maybe you shouldn't always make your wife sit in the back seat. Letting her sit up front would have had you a new car. :wink:

tdelta1000 · Dec 26, 2012

Hey quattro100, I'm not a current Model S owner but I do recalled seeing a post but could not find it stating TM was working on a fix for the rear headroom issue for the non pano cars.

dsm363 · Dec 26, 2012

I see what you mean about the rear headrests. Very limited. Not sure the safety implications but if she doesn't feel comfortable in it or you can't find data to show it's not a safety issue you might be getting the Porsche. Bummer. Good luck.

Krugerrand · Dec 26, 2012

quattro100 said:
Is amazing how girls change after baby comes.

See, there's something wrong with this girl (me) because I thought the frunk would have been for the kids, no? :biggrin:

Cattledog · Dec 27, 2012

This would be a workaround, but perhaps there is/will be (within a year, the earliest you can likely get your car delivered) an aftermarket slipcover that velcros or otherwise attaches to/over the rear headrest that allows some adjustment. Think headrest version of rear console.

markwj · Dec 27, 2012

My wife said the same thing, also in HK with the pano roof. But, not a deal breaker for her.

I suggest you a) tell Kevin Yu @Tesla this is a deal breaker, b) wait 6 months, c) see how things shake out, and d) decide then. 1 year is a long time, and roadster 2.x cars are very different than 1.x.

Having driven a Roadster for almost 2 years now, I can tell you that other cars just don't compare. Period.

quattro100 · Dec 27, 2012

Looks like this is the only option for now. Holding out for the new ride and hopefully the 2nd year model S will include the changes. Meanwhile, perhaps I can buy some of their Stock instead

I tested the Roaster too. It is a real monster. Nice ride.

markwj said:
My wife said the same thing, also in HK with the pano roof. But, not a deal breaker for her.

I suggest you a) tell Kevin Yu @Tesla this is a deal breaker, b) wait 6 months, c) see how things shake out, and d) decide then. 1 year is a long time, and roadster 2.x cars are very different than 1.x.

Having driven a Roadster for almost 2 years now, I can tell you that other cars just don't compare. Period.

rogbmw · Dec 27, 2012

I'm 6'3" and rode around for almost 30 minutes in the back seat while the wife was driving. I did not seem to have an issue other than my head was close to the glass roof (maybe an inch or so of clearance). But then again, my place in the S will be in the front left seat:biggrin:

Brian H · Dec 27, 2012

dsm363 said:
At 5'5" her head is above the rear headrest? I'll have to go check the back seat out.

Torso length is independent of height for most people (except very tall and short). From the pelvis up (hipbone), a woman is about 24" tall, and a man about 28" (60 cm and 70 cm). I am 4" taller than my sister, and our legs are exactly the same length, e.g.

Gafanhoto · Apr 10, 2013

got feedback from tesla product specialists that there is just not enough demand for some real head rests on the rear seats.
Just yesterday they announced the nice but not safety relevant additional features for EU like the parking sensors. does anyone from the existing owners have some experience with the "miniature" head rests on the rear seats?
I guess if nobody is complaining about the absence of safer head rests they will stay like they are.
for me and my family it is still a deal breaker.

- - - Updated - - -

got feedback from tesla product specialists that there is just not enough demand for some real head rests on the rear seats.
Just yesterday they announced the nice but not safety relevant additional features for EU like the parking sensors. does anyone from the existing owners have some experience with the "miniature" head rests on the rear seats?
I guess if nobody is complaining about the absence of safer head rests they will stay like they are.
for me and my family it is still a deal breaker.

Volker.Berlin · Apr 10, 2013

Model X seems to be a far better replacement for your Cayenne than Model S, anyway. Other than that I do agree with your wife (and will get a Model S nevertheless).

Rodolfo Paiz · Apr 10, 2013

quattro100 said:
She used to be at the front seat all the time in my S4 back in Canada. But now she is a rear passenger with our 2 years old kid.

You may also wish to suggest that she begin sitting up front again now. If you place the two-year-old behind you, then he/she can always see Mom and she can reach back to hand off food and toys and such. That's what my wife did: after the second birthday, she returned to riding up front.

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