NHTSA Complaint #10287396 — 2010 FORD FUSION

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 *TR