NHTSA Complaint #10407394 — 2010 HONDA ACCORD

DRIVER'S SEAT LUMBAR DESIGN CAUSING DRIVING SAFETY ISSUES NOTE: IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS MORE PROMINENT FOR MALE DRIVERS VERSUS FEMALE DRIVERS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME SO BAD THAT I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT PAST 1 HOUR ON THE ROAD; IT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN. WHY IS THIS SO? BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S LUMBAR IS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED. ...MY STATEMENT COMES FROM EXPERIENCE OF PERSONALLY HAVING SEVERAL VEHICLES OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS IN ADDITION TO DRIVING RENTAL VEHICLES ON A VERY FREQUENT BASIS (I TYPICALLY PLACE MORE MILES ON RENTAL VEHICLES THAN MY PERSONAL VEHICLES) ' AND I REALLY DO ENJOY DRIVING VEHICLES ON LONG TRIPS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE I LITERALLY GET A 'PAIN IN THE BACK'. I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE SEAT ADJUSTMENTS WITH NO SUCCESS. THE LUMBAR AREA BECOMES VERY PAINFUL WHERE IT FORCES ME TO GET OFF THE ROAD TO REST THE BACK. IF I DO NOT DO THIS I BECOME IRRITABLE (DOESN'T GO OVER WELL WITH MY SPOUSE OR THE FAMILY) AND STARTS IMPACTING MY DRIVING ABILITY. I HAVE TAKEN MEASURES TO WEAR A FLEXIBLE BACK BRACE THAT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL COMFORT, BUT THAT ONLY LASTED ANOTHER HOUR PRIOR TO THE 'PAIN IN THE BACK' RETURNING. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE (& I HAVE NEVER DONE THIS WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED OR RENTED) I HAVE COMMUNICATED TO MY WIFE (IT IS HER VEHICLE) THAT I WILL NO LONGER DRIVE THE ACCORD EX-L EXCEPT ON SHORT TRIPS (LESS THAN 60 MINUTES). THE PHYSICAL PAIN (LEGS, BACK, HIP, ETC.) THE SEAT CAUSES IS UNACCEPTABLE AND NEEDS RESOLVED PRIOR TO MY GIVING IT ANOTHER CHANCE. I HAVE DONE SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH SINCE THE PURCHASE LOOKING FOR FIXES, ETC. INCLUDING INQUIRING WITH DEALERSHIP AND SPEAKING WITH HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH NO ASSISTANCE. THE LAST RESULT FROM THE DEALERSHIP WAS THAT THE ENGINEER DID ALSO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT PROCEED FURTHER AS HONDA DID NOT HAVE A 'TECH NOTE' ON THE PROBLEM. I SPOKE WITH HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE (THE 800 #) AGAIN ON FRIDAY ABOUT THIS WITH LITTLE SUCCESS. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED AS THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR