NHTSA Complaint #10644261 — 2013 TOYOTA RAV4

I GOT MY NEW TOYOTA RAV4 2013 EARLY IN 2013. ON THE SECOND DAY I OWNED IT I NOTICED THAT THE THREE TALL AND BROAD REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS OBSCURED AT LEAST ONE-THIRD OF MY VIEW OUT THE REAR WINDOW. I TOOK THEM OUT AND HAVE KEPT THEM OUT SO I CAN HAVE CLEAR VISION TO THE REAR. IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THAT THE TALL AND BROAD HEAD REST ON THE PASSENGER SEAT ALSO OBSCURED MY VIEW OUT TO THE RIGHT. I SIDE-SWIPED ANOTHER CAR EARLY IN AUGUST, AFTERWARD TELLING THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER THAT I DID NOT SEE THE CAR AT ALL, HAD NO IDEA OF WHERE IT HAD COME FROM. IT WASN'T UNTIL SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THAT I REALIZED THAT I HAD NOT SEEN THE OTHER CAR BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SEAT HEAD REST OBSCURED MY 'OVER THE SHOULDER VIEW' TO THE RIGHT. I REALIZE THAT THESE HEAD RESTS ARE PRESUMED TO PREVENT NECK WHIPLASH INJURIES. AS IT HAPPENS I AM A PHYSICIAN AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE DANGER OF WHIPLASH INJURY. BUT HEAD RESTS SUCH AS THESE, AT LEAST IN THE TOYOTA RAV 4 2013, ARE VERY DANGEROUS AS THEY OBSCURE THE DRIVER'S VISION BOTH TO THE REAR AND TO THE RIGHT. *TR