Forester Driver Seat Uncomfortable

[BoB]

I've had my new Forester X Premium less than a week. One of
the things I now notice that I didn't notice on the test
drive is that the drivers seat back is sometimes a bit
uncomfortable. It seems to be harder in some places than
others with the "hard" and "soft" areas running vertically.
I can't feel the difference with my hand, only with my back
when I am sitting in the seat. I'm not sure if this is
related to the in-seat side air bags.

The seat problem is not very serious and I don't think it is
a "defect" that would be repaired under warranty, but I
would be interested in any opinions about that. I did
Google the issue and found various opinions about the seats
- some people find them to be very comfortable while a few
others found them to be uncomfortable like I do.

I'm considering getting some sort of pad for the back of the
seat to make long drives more comfortable, but I also don't
want to use anything the would interfere with the air bags.
If anyone else has added a seat pad I would be interested to
hear your recommendations.

We've had a 90' Legacy, 95 LS wagon and now an '02 Forester.
The only complaint my wife has ever had is the uncomfortable seat.
She now sits on a pillow, jammed well into the space between the
back and seat.

Her old Nissan had an adjustable lumbar support plus the height of
the front of the driver's seat could be raised. It spoiled her.

I've talked with salesmen while having my oil changed and NO model
has adjustable seats. Since we're in our 70's now, I think we'll
finally have to look at something other than another Subaru.

BoB

 

[Victor Roberts]

I've had my new Forester X Premium less than a week. One of
the things I now notice that I didn't notice on the test
drive is that the drivers seat back is sometimes a bit
uncomfortable. It seems to be harder in some places than
others with the "hard" and "soft" areas running vertically.
I can't feel the difference with my hand, only with my back
when I am sitting in the seat. I'm not sure if this is
related to the in-seat side air bags.

The seat problem is not very serious and I don't think it is
a "defect" that would be repaired under warranty, but I
would be interested in any opinions about that. I did
Google the issue and found various opinions about the seats
- some people find them to be very comfortable while a few
others found them to be uncomfortable like I do.

I'm considering getting some sort of pad for the back of the
seat to make long drives more comfortable, but I also don't
want to use anything the would interfere with the air bags.
If anyone else has added a seat pad I would be interested to
hear your recommendations.

 

[bigjim]

Shoulda n oticed this on test drive. My 04 OBW seats are the best I've
ever had

 

[Body Roll]

I've had my new Forester X Premium less than a week. One of
the things I now notice that I didn't notice on the test
drive is that the drivers seat back is sometimes a bit
uncomfortable. It seems to be harder in some places than
others with the "hard" and "soft" areas running vertically.
I can't feel the difference with my hand, only with my back
when I am sitting in the seat. I'm not sure if this is
related to the in-seat side air bags.

Pardon my borderline trollish statement, but me thinks
the loafers produced by the current hardworking generation have
entered the japanese workforce. So much for the jap quality.

The seats in my OB Sport are quite good though.
The only complaint is the lower cushion cutting uncomfortably in the
outer
portion of the thighs with the knees spread apart wide (It's the guy
thing, the chicks
probably do it in the back seat . No complaints about the build
quality, just the somewhat flawed design.
The rumor is that Honda finally fixed the torture implements in Civic
and me
thinks Civic Si is a good possibility in case indeed are any good.
OBS dump in progress.

 

[The Other Dave]

I have a new '06 Forester X. Initially I thought the driver's seat was
really hard- certainly completely different than the old '92 Legacy. But
after taking it on its first longer trip (about 180 miles each way in one
day), I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of stiffness and back pain at
the end of the day.

 

[SilverStude]

Pardon my borderline trollish statement, but me thinks
the loafers produced by the current hardworking generation have
entered the japanese workforce. So much for the jap quality.

The seats in my OB Sport are quite good though.
The only complaint is the lower cushion cutting uncomfortably in the
outer
portion of the thighs with the knees spread apart wide (It's the guy
thing, the chicks
probably do it in the back seat . No complaints about the build
quality, just the somewhat flawed design.
The rumor is that Honda finally fixed the torture implements in Civic
and me
thinks Civic Si is a good possibility in case indeed are any good.
OBS dump in progress.

Are all Subaru's made in japan?

 

[Jim Stewart]

I've had my new Forester X Premium less than a week. One of
the things I now notice that I didn't notice on the test
drive is that the drivers seat back is sometimes a bit
uncomfortable. It seems to be harder in some places than
others with the "hard" and "soft" areas running vertically.
I can't feel the difference with my hand, only with my back
when I am sitting in the seat. I'm not sure if this is
related to the in-seat side air bags.

The seat problem is not very serious and I don't think it is
a "defect" that would be repaired under warranty, but I
would be interested in any opinions about that. I did
Google the issue and found various opinions about the seats
- some people find them to be very comfortable while a few
others found them to be uncomfortable like I do.

I'm considering getting some sort of pad for the back of the
seat to make long drives more comfortable, but I also don't
want to use anything the would interfere with the air bags.
If anyone else has added a seat pad I would be interested to
hear your recommendations.

My observation is somewhat dated as I have
a '99 Outback I bought new. The seat seemed
somewhat hard and ill-fitting at first, but
by 30,000 miles, it fit me like a glove. I
have no gripes whatsoever with seat comfort
now. The Subaru is the only vehicle I've
ever owned that I could drive for 4 hours
and have my back feel better than when I
started.

Try to use the seats without a cushion if
possible and see if they don't start conforming
to your body.

The other good thing that will happen in the
first 30,000 miles is the suspension will
limber up a little and the ride will get a
tad softer. The car will get better with
age.

 

[Victor Roberts]

I have a new '06 Forester X. Initially I thought the driver's seat was
really hard- certainly completely different than the old '92 Legacy. But
after taking it on its first longer trip (about 180 miles each way in one
day), I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of stiffness and back pain at
the end of the day.

Thanks. The issue seems to be mostly that my back "feels"
something in the seat back, not that it is that
uncomfortable. I will try a longer trip.

 

[Victor Roberts]

My observation is somewhat dated as I have
a '99 Outback I bought new. The seat seemed
somewhat hard and ill-fitting at first, but
by 30,000 miles, it fit me like a glove. I
have no gripes whatsoever with seat comfort
now. The Subaru is the only vehicle I've
ever owned that I could drive for 4 hours
and have my back feel better than when I
started.

Try to use the seats without a cushion if
possible and see if they don't start conforming
to your body.

Thanks also. I think I'll try that. My comparison is my
'97 OBW that has had almost 10 years to conform to my body,

The other good thing that will happen in the
first 30,000 miles is the suspension will
limber up a little and the ride will get a
tad softer. The car will get better with
age.

I don't mind the ride - only the seat back

 

[Victor Roberts]

We've had a 90' Legacy, 95 LS wagon and now an '02 Forester.
The only complaint my wife has ever had is the uncomfortable seat.
She now sits on a pillow, jammed well into the space between the
back and seat.

Her old Nissan had an adjustable lumbar support plus the height of
the front of the driver's seat could be raised. It spoiled her.

I've talked with salesmen while having my oil changed and NO model
has adjustable seats. Since we're in our 70's now, I think we'll
finally have to look at something other than another Subaru.

BoB

My 2006 Forester X Premium has adjustable lumbar support,
plus a 6-way power seat. My issue is not the lack of lumbar
support, but something higher up.

 

[Grolch]

Are all Subaru's made in japan?

Foresters and Imprezas are Japan Build, Legacy & Tribeca (for all it'll
last) are built in Indiana.

 

[Body Roll]

I don't mind the ride - only the seat back

If you have extra $$$ try out Recaro seats.
Also there are a few imitations:
I sat on 3R seats at a local autoparts store and they
were quite good.
This way you'll get rid of the side and curtain airbags also.