This is weird. Took the Outback into Simpson Subaru for an oil/filter change. Asked my favorite service writer, Justin, to check as to why the headrests won't latch in place. He knows me, the previous owner and has a full service recordin the car, never serviced anywhere else.

 

The headrests won't latch because the notches are on the wrong side of the posts. They are 2005 headrests! Same fabric, same stitching, different padding and mechanicals.

 

He ordered replacements on warranty ... still, it's wierd.

Just curious as to the date of manufacture on the door tag. If it's close to the begining of the model introduction date, that might explain it.

Just curious as to the date of manufacture on the door tag. If it's close to the begining of the model introduction date, that might explain it.

 

Market forces that would require a change like that should have been ignored.

I almost feel sorry for the designers.

Keep the 2005 headrests in case you are unhappy with the correct ones. Newer headrests in many cars (not just Subaru) are further forward for better crash test scores, and many people don't like them. Maybe the previous owner had them changed out for the older style.

Keep the 2005 headrests in case you are unhappy with the correct ones. Newer headrests in many cars (not just Subaru) are further forward for better crash test scores, and many people don't like them. Maybe the previous owner had them changed out for the older style.

 

Indeed. Sitting in two identical Foresters recently (identical except for the model year. '04 and '06? '03 and '05? I can't recall), I had precisely this issue. The newer headrests are too far forward and that's a deal-breaker for me. Our Mazda 5's headrests are the same way and I get a very bad upper back/neck ache after being in it for any length of time unless I turn the headrests around. If I do that, they're too far back and would not protect properly in a crash. I've had the same trouble in recent Chevrolet products of various kinds, and even had some trouble with it in my '99 SAAB 9-3 and my folks' 9-5.

 

I always sit with my head against the headrests and I have a big head, so the newer designs are not more safe for me and they're downright painful.