After driving my 2000 V70 XC for a few thousand miles, I became annoyed at the way the front head restraints protrude so far forward. Worse yet, my wife found them so uncomfortable that she had the passenger restraint removed - which currently puts us in an unsafe situation.

I've asked several Volvo dealers if there is any fix to this problem, and they all say there is none.

Significantly, they admit to receiving many complaints. This makes me suspicious that there may exist a solution - such as an alternate restraint that fits the mounting, or a way to modify the existing restraint.

Has anyone else had this problem? More importantly, does anyone have any suggestions for a fix?

Volvo has industry best headrests. Crash tests prove it. For your complaint, try adjusting the backrest. Lean it back a little bit and this will change your seating position to one that is more favorable.

I believe it is a safety issue and Volvo won't change this. A

couple years ago the feds tested head restraint systems.

From http://www.thehartford.com/corporate/pl/auto/safety/safety3.html

Don't be surprised if a head restraint cannot be positioned

for adequate protection. Among more than two-hundred 1997

model passenger cars in which the head restraints were measured,

more than half had poor geometry. Only five vehicles had good

head restraint geometry. They are:

Honda Civic del Sol

Mercedes E class with restraints that adjust automatically

Toyota Supra

Volvo 850

Volvo 960

This site has more results:

http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/head_restraints/head.htm

So, I doubt Volvo would be willing to do much to change them

do to safety issues.

Unfortunately you may be, as the saying goes SOL. I think the anal safety gods at Volvo have a reason for designing their head restraints in such a manner. I believe that an alternative head restraint, may among other things, void warantees, reduce the capability of the safety features of your car, and your insurance carrier may frown when it comes to claim time. Just my .02 though. The only conselation I can give, is that my wife hates them too. She tilts the seat way back and lets her short height compensate. My .02.

Pete.