New Cars Can Be a Headache

Automakers are emphasizing high-tech innovations nowadays, but many consumers still find some of the most basic car features lacking, based on sentiments shared in a fresh study.

The J.D. Power U.S. survey on vehicle seat quality and satisfaction found consumers experience more problems with their vehicles’ seat comfort and headrest than most other aspects of seating. In fact, headrests have been an enduring problem for five straight years of the polling.

The results show consumers want more headrest adjustability, and J.D. Power says that factor alone can color their entire seating experience: Those who report no headrest issues also report extremely few problems with their seat comfort on the whole, or 1.0 problems per 100 vehicles, as opposed to those reporting a headrest issue having about seven problems per 100 in the “seat excessively uncomfortable" indication.

The survey, conducted from July 2023 through this past May, is based on more than 99,000 auto consumers’ experience in their first 90 days of ownership or leasing of 2024 models.

“Headrest adjustability needs to be prioritized by seat manufacturers as it does have an effect on overall seat experience,” said J.D. Power Senior Director of Automotive Benchmarking Ashley Edgar. “As much as manufacturers can address many of the other aspects of seat quality, overall comfort is lost without a proper headrest.”

FROM COMFORT TO DURABILITY