Kia EV9 Front Row Headrests - Huge Design Fault

[FSC]

Just A Word Of Warning Guys, There’s A Huge Design Fault With Kia’s EV9 Front Row Headrests..!!

If anyone is thinking of purchasing the new Kia EV9, there’s a problem with the front row Headrests, they are protruding a massive 180-200mm (7-8 inches) forward from the front face of the seat, forcing your sitting posture into a Forward Head position.

I collected our EV9 in the first week of January 2024 and took it for a 140km drive. When I sat back into the seat throughout the trip, I couldn’t get my head into a comfortable neutral position as the headrest just will not adjust backwards.

After that one journey, I suffered excruciating neck and shoulder pain, I’ve spent the last 2 weeks on pain relief and physio. I contacted Kia about this Design Fault and sent photos of the headrest protruding forward 180-200mm and forcing me into a Forward Head position, I asked if they were going to redesign the headrest but Kia Customer Service got back today and said that since I had taken the EV9 for a test drive, I should have noticed the problem before I purchased the vehicle, Kia have said they won’t be designing a neutral Headrest for people with good posture..!!

So, if you have good posture and you sit with your head in the correct neutral position while driving, I strongly advise you, Do Not Purchase the Kia EV9. The Headrest is designed only for people that suffer with a Forward Head condition, Please Be Warned..!!

 

[KIA EV9 Forum]

Just A Word Of Warning Guys, There’s A Huge Design Fault With Kia’s EV9 Front Row Headrests..!!

If anyone is thinking of purchasing the new Kia EV9, there’s a problem with the front row Headrests, they are protruding a massive 180-200mm (7-8 inches) forward from the front face of the seat, forcing your sitting posture into a Forward Head position.

I collected our EV9 in the first week of January 2024 and took it for a 140km drive. When I sat back into the seat throughout the trip, I couldn’t get my head into a comfortable neutral position as the headrest just will not adjust backwards.

After that one journey, I suffered excruciating neck and shoulder pain, I’ve spent the last 2 weeks on pain relief and physio. I contacted Kia about this Design Fault and sent photos of the headrest protruding forward 180-200mm and forcing me into a Forward Head position, I asked if they were going to redesign the headrest but Kia Customer Service got back today and said that since I had taken the EV9 for a test drive, I should have noticed the problem before I purchased the vehicle, Kia have said they won’t be designing a neutral Headrest for people with good posture..!!

So, if you have good posture and you sit with your head in the correct neutral position while driving, I strongly advise you, Do Not Purchase the Kia EV9. The Headrest is designed only for people that suffer with a Forward Head condition, Please Be Warned..!!

Seems odd. How is it with the headrest in the lowest position?

 

[FSC]

The Kia EV9 headrest still forces your head into a Forward Head position, it’s a massive design fault. While resting your shoulders back into the seat, it’s not possible to allow your head back into a neutral position, lots of complaints about the Kia EV6 as well and that doesn’t even protrude as much..!!

 

[FSC]

In my line of work, I deliver manual handling training for companies and as part of the course, we cover the Correct Sitting Posture While Driving, attached is a PDF from PhysioMed. See below an extract from pages 8 & 9 of the PDF which deal with adjusting the headrest correctly.


Supporting the Thoracic Spine or Rib Cage
Ideally, the back of your car seat should reach the height of your shoulders. If it is higher or lower but you can still rest into the seat, it should be fine as most car seats come with adjustable headrests. Ideally, you should be able to adjust both the height and the front-to-back position. Adjust the height of the headrest so it rests in the middle of your head. To adjust front-to-back, sit with your head in a neutral position. To do this, first sit upright, then align your earlobe between the collarbone and neck muscles.

The EV9 headrest does not allow me to rest into the seat and have my head in a neutral position but instead the headrest pushes me into a Forward Head position as in the diagram on page 9, this is causing huge strain on my neck and shoulder muscles..!!

 

[KIA EV9 Forum]

In my line of work, I deliver manual handling training for companies and as part of the course, we cover the Correct Sitting Posture While Driving, attached is a PDF from PhysioMed. See below an extract from pages 8 & 9 of the PDF which deal with adjusting the headrest correctly.


Supporting the Thoracic Spine or Rib Cage
Ideally, the back of your car seat should reach the height of your shoulders. If it is higher or lower but you can still rest into the seat, it should be fine as most car seats come with adjustable headrests. Ideally, you should be able to adjust both the height and the front-to-back position. Adjust the height of the headrest so it rests in the middle of your head. To adjust front-to-back, sit with your head in a neutral position. To do this, first sit upright, then align your earlobe between the collarbone and neck muscles.

The EV9 headrest does not allow me to rest into the seat and have my head in a neutral position but instead the headrest pushes me into a Forward Head position as in the diagram on page 9, this is causing huge strain on my neck and shoulder muscles..!!

Thank you. I haven't seen any other complaints like this by other people. If you have, would you point me in that direction?

 

[FSC]

Look up the EV6 Forum or google EV6 headrest problems.

 

[jda]

I also have this problem. Not to your painful end, but uncomfortable for sure.
I’m going to try a lumbar pillow that changes the depth of the seat back to hopefully shift my head away from the headrest.
They should change this design or offer and after market option.