The dealership had the nerve of saying this was a design feature, they felt the problem, sat into other Accords, and felt the same hump in the back. If you all just keep on complaining here, which is fine, Honda would not do anything, I do not think they pay any attention, perhaps Edmunds should write an article of investigate after seeing 150 posts about the same thing, then Honda would probably do something about it, or you can have all these 150 people call their customer service center, to see if their engineering group would do something about it, their number is 1-800-999-1009 I was told though that they were only there to take calls and record them to use this feedback for future models, so in theory they are as useless as an ashtray in a motorcycle.
I have had my 2011 accord for three weeks. Yes, it too has this problem. I have had a lot of back pain that developed over time. It was not noticed on the test drive. I was about to just trade it in, but decided to read this thread. I am glad that I did. I implemented one of the suggestions by a previous poster (sorry, I will have to look you up for credit.) and it helps immediately. First, if you find yourself constantly twitching with the seat controls, yep, you have a problem. You should not have to conform to the seat! And you should not have to search through one billion seat adjustment combos to be comfortable! The problem, as noted by previous posters, is excessive lumbar protrusion. Just look at the passenger seat from the driver's seat, and you can see how much it protrudes into the seat area! Here is what I did to fix it:
(1) The problem is due to a kick-plate/rocker assembly in the seat that moves the head rest forward in an accident. The plate is pushed up too far into the seat area. Making this worse is a white piece of plastic behind that which moves to increase the lumbar support from "knee in the back" to "soccer ball in the back".
(2) Remove the hard cover from the back of the seat. I just used my hands and was gentle.
(3) You need to disconnect that large black plate from all of the bars that hook to it. This is easy as it really just hangs on in one direction. Keep wiggling and working with it until it can be freed from the cross memebers. Be gentle.
(4) Rotate it. Make sure the lumbar control is all of the way off. THis gives you extra slack in the cable.
(5) Play with the white plastic lumbar piece until you can get it free from the cable. I do not recommend cutting off that little bulb on the cable. Just work with the plastic until you can slide the ball out of the track and that will free the plastic from the cable. Pull that piece of garbage out of your seat along with the black plate. (Previous poster that did this said the seat was too conformal with this done, but I am ok with it.)
(6) Remove the lower cross arm. It is connected to two rockers on both sides of the seat. Just push it towards the rocker arms and it will pop out. THIS DISABLES the active head rest, so you are on your own with that decision.
(7) If you find that the seat goes too deep when you sit in it (I did not) it would be trivial to reinforce the back by looping cord through the many loops available in the seat frame.
(8) Put the back on the seat.
(9) Presto! See if you back is better. You may not have to get rid of an otherwise OK car!
Also, if you do NOT own a 2011,10,09,08 Accord, then please do not tell us that we are simply used to soft seats and need to man-up. This is a defect that wears you down over time.
Thank you, thank you w75Collins, I did exactly what you said, I left in the black plate though, and it worked perfectly, very easy to do with your instructions. It is a SHAME that Honda, does not give a damn about their customers. I have personally discouraged 3 people in buying this car, and will continue to do so. Last time I sat my cousin in my car who was looking for a car, and he said: What in the world is this? Granted that I have warned him, but nevertheless the seat is a piece of garbage. All it takes for Honda is to give a call to Lear Seats Co., and tell them to modify the design, or ask their engineers to do something about it. All car companies change after a model is launched is Safety items, whether forced or not, and cost cutting changes, like for removing the key lock cylinder from the trunk. All the rest they don't care, I have worked in truck assembly plant for 8 years and know exactly how this works. Japanese are not different.
I can't believe that this still going on with Hondas. I have an '05 Accord EX-L. The driver's seat has that same bulge. I can't believe that this has not been corrected. The passenger seat is different, as you say. I bought a small cushion that sets in this hole left when the lumbar is not engaged. It makes the seat comfortable. I have never had a car with this problem. I can't believe that they have corrected this.
Your issue may be different in your 05. The current generation is dealing with the new active restraint system that involves the headrest. This was not present in the previous model years.
My 06 EX-L (same generation as your 05) is just fine for me. But as you've experienced, not all car seats fit everyone the same.
Is not only the bulge, even after having fixed this problem with what was posted at post #173, you still have the problem that now you are a little bit deeper into the seat, and if you are not skinny, then the two sides of the seat protrude into the each side of your back. I cannot believe either that Honda has this problem in the 05's, it is just that they are a bunch of people that don't give a damn about their customers, even the review from Edmunds talks about. But you walk into a Honda dealership and they put you a dumb face like they do not know what in the world you are talking about, they go like huh? Oh sir we have never heard about this complaint, though you turn around and they have an award given by Honda, the Presidents award, for excellent customer service, this is in Katy Honda, but it is just corporate bologna, their salesman would go, oh tell me sir, is there anything I can do for you?
You may not have the same seat as the EX-L, since you have the LX-P. The LX-P may not have the lumbar support. That is the issue with these seats. The passenger seat is comfortable with no issues. There is no lumbar support on the passenger seat.
Well, my post from #153 did not do it, as tallman1 points out. You sink into the hole and your butt is too low in the bottom part of the seat. So I implemented the method posted before where you jack the entire seat up in the rear using two sets of 9 metric washers and longer bolts (6$ at home depot). That helped for a while, but now my hips hurt instead of my back. I also tried putting a cushion under my rear (try just that on your car and you will instantly see that the part that hits your rear is way to low and compresses the spine).
I called around and it is hard to get people to modify the seat. They are afraid of getting sued.
Anyway, I test drove a Maxima and now I am crying because I could have got that for what I ended up paying for the accord--I thought I was getting an ok deal, but I made a mistake and was not. The maxima seat seemed great and the car was much QUIETER than the accord. The accord gas milage is no where near 27/34 and it has a lot of road noise. I also test drove an 08 335i, which felt like the seat was holding me in this wonderful position, so it was easy to see how much the honda sucks. Whatever I do next, I will RENT a car for a week before buying it!!!
Lots of luck out there. If you find a fix, let me know. --Will
Well, I am working my way through the solutions posted here, and had removed the white piece of crap...er plastic for the lumbar adjustment. I also loosened the lower part with 16 gauge bailing wire in place of the active head restraint bar, but after 45 minutes in the car for Mothers Days, I'm still recovering and driving my wife's '05 Impala.
I noticed during my many adjustments to the seat that the top wire is just too loose and flexible and allows your shoulders and upper back to sink and that puts more pressure on the lumbar/active headrest bar.
I also noticed, but placing foam strips from a mattress pad (from walmart, as suggested by mikebike here and on the Honda Accord forums) in the lowest part of the seat helps the lumbar "boost" hit in a better position.
I am about to make my second major adjustment to the seat, 1st - I bought a sink rack (looks like a stronger version of a cooling rack) at Walmart, it's very close the the size of the black plastic support, but it is perfectly flat and stainless steel. 2nd - I'm going to double the wire at the top so the won't give and force the bottom inward. 3rd - an added layer of memory foam between the rack and the seat cushion, hopefully so the rack will be able to shift slightly without changing how the seat feels.
I will post updates, I was aware of the seat problem when I bought the car, but completely under estimated the severity of the problem, so I have no one to blame but myself. I am also aware I disabled the active head restraint, and really don't care. Our '05 Impala is without one as well as every other vehicle I've owned in my 44 year old life span.
Yes, your post inspired me to make some of the changes I did. I was never able to make another wire with the right bends and additional length to use the active head restraints.
I just used bailing wire to secure the black plastic plate at the bottom. that maybe why the top wire flexed too much, and allowed the bottom to continue to push against my back.
I'm hoping with the replacement (wire rack without the bend) will work like the car seats of old. I'm going to use springs from an old mattress to attach the rack to the frame so it will be firm but still give. I'm thinking that the way the rack is made I can use the original wires to hold it in place so everything works.
I meant to ask you mike, did you feel like the seat was too low? I'm 6' and 209 with a little extra around the middle (damn thyroid) and it just feels like the seat is too firm and low.
My wife has the car today (thanks honey!) so tomorrow is the day for my changes if the work out I will post pictures and a step by step. As others have said complain to Honda about this seat or nothing will get done or change. Guess it doesn't really help us though does it?
I can say when my sister had her 08 (she bought in in 9/07 and traded it in 06/09) with all of the minor issues she had (with 2 failed door actuators) and over the TSB etc recalls, I can remember the seats being very stiff. I don't know what Honda was thinking but they were already stiff enough in our Gen 6 Accord. They really made my back hurt on long trips even in the passenger's side. I don't recline my seat at 45 degree anges but rather at an 85 degree angle. Never had an issue on any previous gen Accord. I'll wait and see what the next gen features if I decide to get another Accord. At the moment it isn't looking good.
I don't think the seat is too low (I am 6'-3"), I just think the lumbar lump is too low and too protruding. You're idea about using the springs sounds good as long as they aren't too loose.
Just so you know, it took me 3 or 4 times with trial and error to get the new wire bent correctly. I only used a channel lock and an adjustable wrench when I made it (no special tools). I would hold the wire with the adjustable wrench, then grab it with the channel lock and just bend it. You can do it.
I mention the low stiff seat since my back is hurting in more places than just the lumbar area. I have bad disks L4 & L5 from a previous weight lifting injury doing heavy squats, so I'm sure that's not helping this situation.
I did follow your post on the Accord forums step by step, the wire part (even down to the Lowe's tomato cage, maybe here in AZ we have stronger or harder to bend cages?) I just couldn't seem to get right.
I had another thought about making an extension for the just the end of the original kind of like the old hook and eye type screen door lock, or hey even better a "hog ring" style half loop and then pinching each end to make sure it doesn't slip off. Looks like I'm heading to Lowe's and maybe an upholstery shop. Wish me luck.
I also have the 2.4 EX with no leather, maybe the cloth cushion is firmer than the leather ones?
Some of you think the previous generation is better. I have an '05 EX-L and I don't think so. If I use the lumbar, the lump is too hard. If I don't use the lumbar, the seat is still uncomfortable. I bought a small pillow and put that at the bottom. I am then comfortable. I read these posts and what you are having to do. Isn't this ridiculous that you would have to do this on an expensive car? Honda does not seem to get messages. They are known for their lack of noise insulation. This gives you a lot of road noise. Also, they are known for their uncomfortable drivers" seats. I can't believe that company, with Honda's good reputation, that would let consistent complaints go like this. What do you want to bet that both of these problems will still be unsolved in the next generation? I would say that the odds are 99.9%.
Auto seats are like beds: everyone has a different idea how soft/hard they should be. We all have different body measurements so a lumbar support hitting someone too high or too low isn't unusual. That's totally different than the situation people are having with the newest generation and the active head restraints in this forum.
Personally, I like the seats in my 06 EX-L. I prefer the firmer seats over the soft couch-like seats I've experienced in other cars. I haven't sat in an 08+ Accord for any length of time so I can't comment on this particular problem.
Exactly. The 06 seats are really nice. Remember, the 06 seats don't have the active head restraint in them and that is why they are so much better. I sat in my friends 06 and the seats feel really nice compared to my 08.
Yeah the seats are much harder compared to the previous gen. I have sat in both for an extended amount of time on the passenger's side and can say it is night and day. The gen 7 and previous had stiff seats but to to what they are in the current gen. After having been in my sister's now traded in 08, I can say I look forward to the seats in a Camry or Altima.
I hope that Honda learns from the mistakes it made and goes back to what really makes an Accord an Accord.
I have owned Hondas for over 15 years and can say we are getting a Camry this time around.
Well, my experiment worked, but not well enough. The sink liner was too flat and had no lumbar support at all. I was constantly adjusting my seat just like before anything was done. The springs worked and let the seat move and felt pretty good, but with out any lumber support it just didn't feel right. I guess I could have added foam until it felt right but, I that seemed to hit or miss to attempt.
So, I grabbed the last two pieces of my tomato cage and went to work, the second one came out pretty good if I say so myself. I added only about a quarter of an inch to each side, and then just followed mikebike's instruction from the Accord Forums and so far so good. I can move the headrest and feel the seat give, but now the lump is much less noticeable. Right now it seems to be just about perfect, I may need to adjust the additional foam
Mike, thanks for the step by step instructions, while my wife could drive the car fine with the seat in the original condition, I could not and you saved me from having to make a hard decision about keeping, trading my wife cars or insurance fraud.... just kidding.
I do agree that seat are like mattresses, and everybody finds something different comfortable or liveable. I just wish Honda would have made the "least amount" of lumbar support almost flat.
As for other cars vs the Accord, I stopped looking at the Camry after it only got 2 stars on the front passenger seat and the Chevy Malibu when it only got 3 starts for the front passenger seat as well. This car is our primary mode of transportation for myself and my 3 year old daughter and safety was number one on our list, you didn't get 4 starts in every position, you got dropped off the list.
Anyway, mike thanks again for the instructions!! Everybody who is having problems with your seat you really need to try his solution.
Well, back to square one, I'm replying to myself just to let people know I'm still struggling with this seat.
I went to "Relax the Back" and was talking to them and looking for a lumbar support that might fit the car. Both employees were astounded at the seat design, the slant to the seat bottom was the thing they noticed and commented about the most. They confirmed that with the seat bottom like that the lower back would roll and put pressure on it. They had nothing that would fit the seat due to the high sides of the bottom and suggested a custom seat cushion, so I ventured to an upholstery shop and talked to the owner about a cushion.
He gave me some foam to use to get the seat they way I wanted it, before we went any further. I got some firm foam (maybe to firm) but raising my hips up will hopefully stop the rounding of my lower back and allow me to sit with the proper lumbar support.
I am slowly realizing that the Accord may have to be traded in, I put $10k down so I wont actually owe money to trade, but losing some or all of that really sucks. I got the 8yr/100k Honda Care that will transfer so who ever gets her will be covered for a long time.
I guess I'm just venting now, maybe the cushion will work.
I am an engineer so I took a very analytical approach to this issue. Here is what I found works. First, the seat bottom does not have a good range of adjustments. The front of the seat is too high so it pushes you into the back of the seat and it puts more pressure on your lower back from the lumber support. I raised the back of the seat with longer bolts and washers so the seat bottom is more leveled and my back does not get pushed into the back of the seat. Second, I reduced the bulge of the seat back (lumber support) by pushing the head restraint forward and putting spacers in the gap to keep it there. Presto, no more seat problems.
Might just want to go over and make sure you did a few things.
1. Make sure that you have removed the white adjustable lumbar plate. 2. Be sure that you have fabricated the new tomato cage wire as deep as possible. 3. When you put the additional foam in, put only one layer in the middle layer in front of the black plate. Put two (or more) strip layers on the sides and top of the seat back. The idea here being to have all of the areas other than the black plate area a little thicker to help minimize the back plate protrusion.
It is kind of like adjusting the pillows at night when you sleep. You need to do it a few times before it is just right. Don't discount the foam, it is the one thing that you can slide around until the seat feels better.
I can understand the need to make the seats work for you, but what is everyone going to do when the sell/trade in their Accords with modified seats? I'm referring to potential liability issues with modifying or even defeating the active headrests. The concern is what could happen if they were involved in an accident, injured, and the modifications were uncovered? They could go after previous owners in a lawsuit.
Everything I've done can and will be returned to factory original condition (or as close as possible since I will have removed stuff and put it back in), when/and/or/if I get rid of the car.
I have a lot of pictures of the cat seat before I changed anything on the usb memory stick I keep in the car for the radio, and they are backed up on my laptop, desktop and my back-up drive. Old IT habits dies hard, but that way I can always look at them to know exactly how it was before my "adjustments".
I am not afraid to allow my wife to drive the car the way it is, and I wouldn't and didn't buy a 2011 Malibu (or any other car) with a less than 3 star rating for the front passenger side.
That's the reason I'm trying to use a custom pillow to raise the seat bottom instead of just putting washers under the seat as others have done. It's more for the safety of my daughter in her car seat, I don't want the bolts to break and let my seat move into her space during a crash.
I have thought about it as well, I would never sell the car without letting people know what has been done to it. I would be devastated if someone was injured from something I did.
All of the modifications I did do not prevent the active head restraint from functioning. It still works, just that the bump does not protrude out as far. The other thing is that it can be put back exactly the way it was because the modification is not permanent.
I for one will not worry about what will happen in the future as I own the car today and it needs to be comfortable to me right now.
You might want to try to see if your local dealer will let you try a headrest from the 7th generation Accord and see if it fits. Might be worth a shot as I don't think it had the active head restraint.
Has anyone considered just buying a totally different seat? My 08 Accord EX-L is so uncomfortable I don't know what to do. I've have this persistent lower back pain and I know it's from the seat. I don't feel the bulge that everyone else is talking about, but for me it is just a matter of no good position for the seat. I feel like I'm always moving it around trying something new, but it just doesn't work. I bought a memory foam seat cushion that covers the bottom and back of the seat. It worked for about a week, but now I'm back to square one. I found a website called Andy's Auto Sports and they have a lot of "racing" seats ranging from $150 to thousands. I know I would lose my heated seat and wouldn't be able to adjust it as much, but I don't care. Any thoughts?
It's not as simple as that. Mechanisms inside the seat back make the headrest move. The headrest is fine, it's just the mechanical parts that bulge out so far that cause the problem. You can actually remove the headrest and the problem is still there because it is in the seat back.
I played with the seat adjustment and finally found a position that is comfortable for me. I find that the seat lacks support above the shoulder blade area. If you try to place your upper back against the seat it forces you to arch your lower back. This may be causing some peoples discomfort.
This is definitely one of the areas that the seat lacks in. In my thread where I gave the directions to fix this problem I added foam to the upper part of the seat to fix this problem.
Folks, I'm now part of the sore back Accord owners club (2012 SE sedan). Ive seen MikeBike's post on how to remedy but I can't figure out how to get the seatback off. Can anyone advise? I've removed the elastic and felt up under there and I seem to feel two pointy clip ends. But theyre so small, I can't do much with them. I've thought about just pulling on the back plate and hopefully breaking the clips...but i'm afraid of what else i may be doing in there. Plus, I don't know if the retaining system/seat have been redesigned so that I could be more than just the two clips that Mikebike mentioned. Anyone know for sure how to get the back off of the 2012?
I have a 2012 Accord LX, just a couple weeks old. I knew when I bought it about the seats but it wasn't a deal breaker. My 1996 Accord was also uncomfortable for me. I add a wedge for the seat and a good back support. I then add a matching towel on top of the wedge. This keeps the seat like new underneath. The back support fits in between the bolsters and sits on top of the wedge and towel. I know this stinks because you just bought a car and you can't sit in the stock seats. With my set up, I am extremely comfortable. Here are the specific products I use:
I found the Obus back support on ebay for less. I do not know about the pointy clip ends, but the back support covers the entire back area in between the bolsters. I have back issues and design of the seat is wrong. It should not angle so far down towards the back of the seat. A wedge or two makes it level. I still love my Accord.
Just changed my seat again. I bought a gray sheepskin cover that works with side air bags. Put a wedge under it and cut foam to change the shape of the lumbar and upper back. So far this has been the best solution for my Accord.
Hi All: I have the solution for the uncomfortable Honda Accord Seats! ---- From 1997 to 2007 my wife and I owned five Honda vehicles, (three Accords & two Civics!) The 1997, and the 2000 Accord seats were comfortable, but the 2003 Accord "killed my back!" (I was going to the doctor for weekly back adjustments.) ----- Finally in 2007 I found the solution to the problem. I purchased a 2007 XLE Toyota Camry! ---- Great seats, and a high quality car. ---- When I traded the 2003 Accord, at about 90,000 miles, the extended Honda warranty had paid for three Cat Converters, two Oxygen Sensors, Motor mounts, an A/C Compressor, and a window regulator / motor. ---- My 2007 Camry has about 80,000 miles, and the only thing that was replaced by the extended warranty was the flexible oil line for the VVT at my request! ----- Both vehicles were serviced at the dealer every 2,500 miles! ---- I am in the market for a new car. ------ I like the Honda Accord. I think that they build a high quality four cylinder engine. ----- I go to the auto shows, and every time I sit in an Accord my back is not comfortable. ----- In 2010 my wife was in the market for a new vehicle. We looked at the Honda Accord, but the seats were very uncomfortable. She purchased a 2010 Malibu LTZ. I find it hard to believe that the Honda Corporation does not know about this problem in the United States! If Toyota can build a comfortable seat, why can't Honda build a similar product. The answer is simple. They do not want to change the seat! ------ (The back of the Accord seat grabs my rib cage before my spine hits the back of the seat! This means that my back is being supported by my ribs! After an hour on the highway, I need a doctor to get me out of the car! ---- My right leg and my hip are in pain! ---- On the other hand, I can drive for hours in the Camry without a problem. Could it be the seats???????????????????????)
Best regards to all! -------- Dwayne :shades: :confuse:
Help ! I've owned Accords for 10+ years. I just sold my '04 and need a replacement in a few days. I found a great deal on a 2012 EX-L and want to close on it, but in the process of going though this website, I discovered the multitude back pain issues with the 2008-2012 Accord seats.
So, my choices are: 1) Buy the 2012 EX-L anyway and hope that the back issues don't apply to me (hmmm) 2) Test drive a Camry LXE (must be similar in trim level, as it's an EXL spelled backward) 3) Wait for the 2013 Accords to come out (risk being the seats are the same as 2012 or worse and pay $K's more to be a first adopter) or 4) Buy some other car 5) Not buy a car and walk to work (but with a 30 mile commute, I'd be trading back pain for foot pain!).
Somehow, Honda has sold a ga-zillion 2008-2012 Accords, but a number of folks have had (and I believe them) back issues with their Accords. I am surprised that after 5 years, I'm only now hearing about the seat issues. No articles in the paper, etc about this. Seems like this would have been a great 20-20 report.
I really like my Hondas and, as you can tell, I really want to buy another Accord, but I would really appreciate comments from folks who do not have an issue with the seats, folks who had an issue but found a way to get used to the seats or found that, over time, the seats were really OK, as well as those folks who just plain hate their Accord seats.
I've got to get a car soon or start walking to work
2008 Honda Accord LX seats are fine enough - haven't had an issue with the seats or the occasional dimming of the lights. Rest assured the Honda Accord is a dependable, good, comfortable auto.
As others have said, the 2008-12 Accord is a fine auto. I'll admit that the seats took some getting used to but consider that I was coming from a '99 VW Beetle and the Feds had just implemented their new passive head restraint requirements. The seats were initially uncomfortable but spend a little time adjusting them, break them in a bit, and they'll be fine. I suspect you'll have less of an issue than I did since you're coming from another Accord.
After living with my 2010 Accord V-6 EXL I had it enough with the lousy seats and high highway noise level. Test drove more than 10 cars and traded it for a Nissan Maxima. Great handling, comfortable seats and quite on the highway. Best decision i made in regards to cars. Why do you want to buy a car with these known issue?
Thanks for your experience. Why I'm still thinking about an Accord?
Well, a week ago, I had no idea that owners were having problems with their seats; I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this issue.
Right now, I'm trying to figure out what to buy. My family has bought/leased 6 Accords in the last 10+ years and we've always been happy with them. My son has a 2010 EX (cloth, but with lumbar support) and says the seats are OK.
I keep looking at the seats in a 2012 on the lot, scratch my head, and think "how can these innocent looking seats be that much of a problem"? But sitting on them, I can feel what folks are talking about. The question I have to answer is whether it will be a problem for me.
I'm going to test drive a 2013 Camry XLE today. Years ago, Camry owners were furious over the small seat pans on their Camrys. The test drive will help me see if that has been fixed.
I'm also thinking of sharing my wife's car and wait for the 2013 Accords.
I test-drove a Camry Hybrid back when I decided on the '08 Accord - didn't like it a bit. Hopefully they are much improved with regards to handling.
Anyway, yes, the '13 Accord is upon us. Here's Honda's info, complete with pictures: http://automobiles.honda.com/future-cars/ You get slightly smaller exterior dimensions, a little less HP in the I4 which is balanced by more torque, and greater fuel mileage (although the numbers aren't out yet). Personally, I think its style is an improvement over the '12 - the front end looks more "acura-like" and the rear styling is much improved. Wait a couple of months and the dealers may be willing to deal.
You can certainly wait for the 2013 Accord to see what changes have been made. I really didn't notice issues with the seats until I was in them for extended periods of time. I did notice that the material was a bit stiffer than the older generation Accords.
My mother ended up with a 2012 Camry and the seats are great. One thing that I didn't like was that the Windows/door locks are not illuminated. Otherwise the standard bluetooth, touchscreen radio, engine is sweet.
I agree, I can probably wait a week or two, but I'll be down to one car once I sell my 2004 Accord day after tomorrow. I'm hoping we'll see some 2013 Accords show up on the lots by last week in August.
I'm just wondering if there are other 2008-2012 Accord owners with the lumbar support who actually LIKE their seats and who wish to comment?
We have a 2008 Accord LXP and both my wife and I are pleased with the seats - comfortable and supportive even during 600-700 mile trips. Something to remember is that dissatisfied owners are much more vocal and active than the plethora of satisfied owners on car sites like this one. Daneel Ferreira.
It is true, you and your wife may be satisfied. In fact my son and my wife do not perceive the problem, whereas I do, anatomies are different, but. there are hundreds of post related to this problem, and that will tell you there is an indication there might be a problem. Before buying my Accord, I never thought about making sure the seat had to accommodate me because I never experienced this problem, now I know better. I think in any case the words of caution are good for those who go and test drive this car, so they are not stuck with it afterwards, with something that is really annoying. I have talked to the mechanics at the Honda dealership and they have told me they are very aware of this problem, and also said, many people had traded in their vehicles because of this problem. Problem is that when I called Customer Service at Honda, they told me they will only record the problem for future model reference, but that they would not do anything. Again, they mentioned this has been reported, if it has been reported enough they should do what any other manufacturer does, which is to do an Engineering Change, I have worked in a car plant, and this is daily business. Engineers receive information, analyze the problem, come up with a new design and implement a change; actually they tell the seat manufacturer to fix the problem, a voila the problem is gone, but Honda has disregarded all these complaints and figured they will not to anything about it. I will discourage anyone to buy an Accord, or at least to make sure that they actually try the seat.
my wife and I drove this accord friday and loved it, only drove it for 20 minutes, read about the seat issue and then asked to take the car for a longer ride, they dealer was nice enough to let us keep it over night and we put 200 miles on it
The reports are correct- The seats are horrible- we returned the car this morning. how does Honda let this happen? we loved everuthing else about the car, power, handling, the interior room, wonderful. but the seats killed my back to the point where I DREADED getting into that car.
We have a 08 LX we bought new and it has been fine for my wife. For me, however, it has been a source of much pain. I should of done like you and taken it for a longer test drive. There have been a few annoying issues, but the worst for me has been the seats. Like you, I like most everything else about the car. Earlier this summer we went to Colorado, a 12 hour trip. I always have done most of the driving, but could only make it halfway before I had my wife take over. We had to stop overnight halfway back to make the trip more bearable for me. That was a first in over 20 years of Colorado trips. I would like to trade for something else, but it is paid for and we don't want a car payment for some time. I usually prefer to travel in our 01 Nissan Sentra SE, but it is hard to cram us and two kids and have any room left over for luggage. In October we are driving to Ithica NY and am wondering how I'll be able to stand it, as it is a longer drive than to Colorado....Would rent something more comfortable, but money is tight trying to save for the trip. Definitely check out the Nissan. I will be checking the Altima out when we are in the market again.
Comments
I was told though that they were only there to take calls and record them to use this feedback for future models, so in theory they are as useless as an ashtray in a motorcycle.
The problem, as noted by previous posters, is excessive lumbar protrusion. Just look at the passenger seat from the driver's seat, and you can see how much it protrudes into the seat area! Here is what I did to fix it:
(1) The problem is due to a kick-plate/rocker assembly in the seat that moves the head rest forward in an accident. The plate is pushed up too far into the seat area. Making this worse is a white piece of plastic behind that which moves to increase the lumbar support from "knee in the back" to "soccer ball in the back".
(2) Remove the hard cover from the back of the seat. I just used my hands and was gentle.
(3) You need to disconnect that large black plate from all of the bars that hook to it. This is easy as it really just hangs on in one direction. Keep wiggling and working with it until it can be freed from the cross memebers. Be gentle.
(4) Rotate it. Make sure the lumbar control is all of the way off. THis gives you extra slack in the cable.
(5) Play with the white plastic lumbar piece until you can get it free from the cable. I do not recommend cutting off that little bulb on the cable. Just work with the plastic until you can slide the ball out of the track and that will free the plastic from the cable. Pull that piece of garbage out of your seat along with the black plate. (Previous poster that did this said the seat was too conformal with this done, but I am ok with it.)
(6) Remove the lower cross arm. It is connected to two rockers on both sides of the seat. Just push it towards the rocker arms and it will pop out. THIS DISABLES the active head rest, so you are on your own with that decision.
(7) If you find that the seat goes too deep when you sit in it (I did not) it would be trivial to reinforce the back by looping cord through the many loops available in the seat frame.
(8) Put the back on the seat.
(9) Presto! See if you back is better. You may not have to get rid of an otherwise OK car!
Also, if you do NOT own a 2011,10,09,08 Accord, then please do not tell us that we are simply used to soft seats and need to man-up. This is a defect that wears you down over time.
Will
-Will
It is a SHAME that Honda, does not give a damn about their customers. I have personally discouraged 3 people in buying this car, and will continue to do so. Last time I sat my cousin in my car who was looking for a car, and he said: What in the world is this? Granted that I have warned him, but nevertheless the seat is a piece of garbage.
All it takes for Honda is to give a call to Lear Seats Co., and tell them to modify the design, or ask their engineers to do something about it.
All car companies change after a model is launched is Safety items, whether forced or not, and cost cutting changes, like for removing the key lock cylinder from the trunk. All the rest they don't care, I have worked in truck assembly plant for 8 years and know exactly how this works. Japanese are not different.
My 06 EX-L (same generation as your 05) is just fine for me. But as you've experienced, not all car seats fit everyone the same.
Well, my post from #153 did not do it, as tallman1 points out. You sink into the hole and your butt is too low in the bottom part of the seat. So I implemented the method posted before where you jack the entire seat up in the rear using two sets of 9 metric washers and longer bolts (6$ at home depot). That helped for a while, but now my hips hurt instead of my back. I also tried putting a cushion under my rear (try just that on your car and you will instantly see that the part that hits your rear is way to low and compresses the spine).
I called around and it is hard to get people to modify the seat. They are afraid of getting sued.
Anyway, I test drove a Maxima and now I am crying because I could have got that for what I ended up paying for the accord--I thought I was getting an ok deal, but I made a mistake and was not. The maxima seat seemed great and the car was much QUIETER than the accord. The accord gas milage is no where near 27/34 and it has a lot of road noise. I also test drove an 08 335i, which felt like the seat was holding me in this wonderful position, so it was easy to see how much the honda sucks. Whatever I do next, I will RENT a car for a week before buying it!!!
Lots of luck out there. If you find a fix, let me know. --Will
I noticed during my many adjustments to the seat that the top wire is just too loose and flexible and allows your shoulders and upper back to sink and that puts more pressure on the lumbar/active headrest bar.
I also noticed, but placing foam strips from a mattress pad (from walmart, as suggested by mikebike here and on the Honda Accord forums) in the lowest part of the seat helps the lumbar "boost" hit in a better position.
I am about to make my second major adjustment to the seat, 1st - I bought a sink rack (looks like a stronger version of a cooling rack) at Walmart, it's very close the the size of the black plastic support, but it is perfectly flat and stainless steel. 2nd - I'm going to double the wire at the top so the won't give and force the bottom inward. 3rd - an added layer of memory foam between the rack and the seat cushion, hopefully so the rack will be able to shift slightly without changing how the seat feels.
I will post updates, I was aware of the seat problem when I bought the car, but completely under estimated the severity of the problem, so I have no one to blame but myself. I am also aware I disabled the active head restraint, and really don't care. Our '05 Impala is without one as well as every other vehicle I've owned in my 44 year old life span.
Lumbar Lump Fix
I just used bailing wire to secure the black plastic plate at the bottom. that maybe why the top wire flexed too much, and allowed the bottom to continue to push against my back.
I'm hoping with the replacement (wire rack without the bend) will work like the car seats of old. I'm going to use springs from an old mattress to attach the rack to the frame so it will be firm but still give. I'm thinking that the way the rack is made I can use the original wires to hold it in place so everything works.
I meant to ask you mike, did you feel like the seat was too low? I'm 6' and 209 with a little extra around the middle (damn thyroid) and it just feels like the seat is too firm and low.
My wife has the car today (thanks honey!) so tomorrow is the day for my changes if the work out I will post pictures and a step by step. As others have said complain to Honda about this seat or nothing will get done or change. Guess it doesn't really help us though does it?
Just so you know, it took me 3 or 4 times with trial and error to get the new wire bent correctly. I only used a channel lock and an adjustable wrench when I made it (no special tools). I would hold the wire with the adjustable wrench, then grab it with the channel lock and just bend it. You can do it.
I did follow your post on the Accord forums step by step, the wire part (even down to the Lowe's tomato cage, maybe here in AZ we have stronger or harder to bend cages?) I just couldn't seem to get right.
I had another thought about making an extension for the just the end of the original kind of like the old hook and eye type screen door lock, or hey even better a "hog ring" style half loop and then pinching each end to make sure it doesn't slip off. Looks like I'm heading to Lowe's and maybe an upholstery shop. Wish me luck.
I also have the 2.4 EX with no leather, maybe the cloth cushion is firmer than the leather ones?
Personally, I like the seats in my 06 EX-L. I prefer the firmer seats over the soft couch-like seats I've experienced in other cars. I haven't sat in an 08+ Accord for any length of time so I can't comment on this particular problem.
I hope that Honda learns from the mistakes it made and goes back to what really makes an Accord an Accord.
I have owned Hondas for over 15 years and can say we are getting a Camry this time around.
So, I grabbed the last two pieces of my tomato cage and went to work, the second one came out pretty good if I say so myself. I added only about a quarter of an inch to each side, and then just followed mikebike's instruction from the Accord Forums and so far so good. I can move the headrest and feel the seat give, but now the lump is much less noticeable. Right now it seems to be just about perfect, I may need to adjust the additional foam
Mike, thanks for the step by step instructions, while my wife could drive the car fine with the seat in the original condition, I could not and you saved me from having to make a hard decision about keeping, trading my wife cars or insurance fraud.... just kidding.
I do agree that seat are like mattresses, and everybody finds something different comfortable or liveable. I just wish Honda would have made the "least amount" of lumbar support almost flat.
As for other cars vs the Accord, I stopped looking at the Camry after it only got 2 stars on the front passenger seat and the Chevy Malibu when it only got 3 starts for the front passenger seat as well. This car is our primary mode of transportation for myself and my 3 year old daughter and safety was number one on our list, you didn't get 4 starts in every position, you got dropped off the list.
Anyway, mike thanks again for the instructions!! Everybody who is having problems with your seat you really need to try his solution.
I went to "Relax the Back" and was talking to them and looking for a lumbar support that might fit the car. Both employees were astounded at the seat design, the slant to the seat bottom was the thing they noticed and commented about the most. They confirmed that with the seat bottom like that the lower back would roll and put pressure on it. They had nothing that would fit the seat due to the high sides of the bottom and suggested a custom seat cushion, so I ventured to an upholstery shop and talked to the owner about a cushion.
He gave me some foam to use to get the seat they way I wanted it, before we went any further. I got some firm foam (maybe to firm) but raising my hips up will hopefully stop the rounding of my lower back and allow me to sit with the proper lumbar support.
I am slowly realizing that the Accord may have to be traded in, I put $10k down so I wont actually owe money to trade, but losing some or all of that really sucks. I got the 8yr/100k Honda Care that will transfer so who ever gets her will be covered for a long time.
I guess I'm just venting now, maybe the cushion will work.
1. Make sure that you have removed the white adjustable lumbar plate.
2. Be sure that you have fabricated the new tomato cage wire as deep as possible.
3. When you put the additional foam in, put only one layer in the middle layer in front of the black plate. Put two (or more) strip layers on the sides and top of the seat back. The idea here being to have all of the areas other than the black plate area a little thicker to help minimize the back plate protrusion.
It is kind of like adjusting the pillows at night when you sleep. You need to do it a few times before it is just right. Don't discount the foam, it is the one thing that you can slide around until the seat feels better.
Mrbill
I have a lot of pictures of the cat seat before I changed anything on the usb memory stick I keep in the car for the radio, and they are backed up on my laptop, desktop and my back-up drive. Old IT habits dies hard, but that way I can always look at them to know exactly how it was before my "adjustments".
I am not afraid to allow my wife to drive the car the way it is, and I wouldn't and didn't buy a 2011 Malibu (or any other car) with a less than 3 star rating for the front passenger side.
That's the reason I'm trying to use a custom pillow to raise the seat bottom instead of just putting washers under the seat as others have done. It's more for the safety of my daughter in her car seat, I don't want the bolts to break and let my seat move into her space during a crash.
I have thought about it as well, I would never sell the car without letting people know what has been done to it. I would be devastated if someone was injured from something I did.
I for one will not worry about what will happen in the future as I own the car today and it needs to be comfortable to me right now.
You are correct, this area needs attention also.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007YT1IQ/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk
http://www.amazon.com/Obus-Backrest-Orthopedic-Support-Moller/dp/B001QL00IY/ref=- pd_sim_hpc_1
I found the Obus back support on ebay for less.
I do not know about the pointy clip ends, but the back support covers the entire back area in between the bolsters. I have back issues and design of the seat is wrong. It should not angle so far down towards the back of the seat. A wedge or two makes it level. I still love my Accord.
Best of Luck!
I have the solution for the uncomfortable Honda Accord Seats! ---- From 1997 to 2007 my wife and I owned five Honda vehicles, (three Accords & two Civics!) The 1997, and the 2000 Accord seats were comfortable, but the 2003 Accord "killed my back!" (I was going to the doctor for weekly back adjustments.) ----- Finally in 2007 I found the solution to the problem. I purchased a 2007 XLE Toyota Camry! ---- Great seats, and a high quality car. ---- When I traded the 2003 Accord, at about 90,000 miles, the extended Honda warranty had paid for three Cat Converters, two Oxygen Sensors, Motor mounts, an A/C Compressor, and a window regulator / motor. ---- My 2007 Camry has about 80,000 miles, and the only thing that was replaced by the extended warranty was the flexible oil line for the VVT at my request! ----- Both vehicles were serviced at the dealer every 2,500 miles! ---- I am in the market for a new car. ------ I like the Honda Accord. I think that they build a high quality four cylinder engine. ----- I go to the auto shows, and every time I sit in an Accord my back is not comfortable. ----- In 2010 my wife was in the market for a new vehicle. We looked at the Honda Accord, but the seats were very uncomfortable. She purchased a 2010 Malibu LTZ. I find it hard to believe that the Honda Corporation does not know about this problem in the United States! If Toyota can build a comfortable seat, why can't Honda build a similar product. The answer is simple. They do not want to change the seat! ------ (The back of the Accord seat grabs my rib cage before my spine hits the back of the seat! This means that my back is being supported by my ribs! After an hour on the highway, I need a doctor to get me out of the car! ---- My right leg and my hip are in pain! ---- On the other hand, I can drive for hours in the Camry without a problem. Could it be the seats???????????????????????)
Best regards to all! -------- Dwayne :shades:
So, my choices are: 1) Buy the 2012 EX-L anyway and hope that the back issues don't apply to me (hmmm) 2) Test drive a Camry LXE (must be similar in trim level, as it's an EXL spelled backward) 3) Wait for the 2013 Accords to come out (risk being the seats are the same as 2012 or worse and pay $K's more to be a first adopter) or 4) Buy some other car 5) Not buy a car and walk to work (but with a 30 mile commute, I'd be trading back pain for foot pain!).
Somehow, Honda has sold a ga-zillion 2008-2012 Accords, but a number of folks have had (and I believe them) back issues with their Accords. I am surprised that after 5 years, I'm only now hearing about the seat issues. No articles in the paper, etc about this. Seems like this would have been a great 20-20 report.
I really like my Hondas and, as you can tell, I really want to buy another Accord, but I would really appreciate comments from folks who do not have an issue with the seats, folks who had an issue but found a way to get used to the seats or found that, over time, the seats were really OK, as well as those folks who just plain hate their Accord seats.
I've got to get a car soon or start walking to work
Well, a week ago, I had no idea that owners were having problems with their seats; I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this issue.
Right now, I'm trying to figure out what to buy. My family has bought/leased 6 Accords in the last 10+ years and we've always been happy with them. My son has a 2010 EX (cloth, but with lumbar support) and says the seats are OK.
I keep looking at the seats in a 2012 on the lot, scratch my head, and think "how can these innocent looking seats be that much of a problem"? But sitting on them, I can feel what folks are talking about. The question I have to answer is whether it will be a problem for me.
I'm going to test drive a 2013 Camry XLE today. Years ago, Camry owners were furious over the small seat pans on their Camrys. The test drive will help me see if that has been fixed.
I'm also thinking of sharing my wife's car and wait for the 2013 Accords.
Anyway, yes, the '13 Accord is upon us. Here's Honda's info, complete with pictures: http://automobiles.honda.com/future-cars/ You get slightly smaller exterior dimensions, a little less HP in the I4 which is balanced by more torque, and greater fuel mileage (although the numbers aren't out yet). Personally, I think its style is an improvement over the '12 - the front end looks more "acura-like" and the rear styling is much improved. Wait a couple of months and the dealers may be willing to deal.
My mother ended up with a 2012 Camry and the seats are great. One thing that I didn't like was that the Windows/door locks are not illuminated. Otherwise the standard bluetooth, touchscreen radio, engine is sweet.
I'm just wondering if there are other 2008-2012 Accord owners with the lumbar support who actually LIKE their seats and who wish to comment?
Daneel Ferreira.
The reports are correct- The seats are horrible- we returned the car this morning. how does Honda let this happen? we loved everuthing else about the car, power, handling, the interior room, wonderful. but the seats killed my back to the point where I DREADED getting into that car.
Looking at a Fusion or Maxima now