Rear Seat Headrest Backwards & Now It's Stuck!

Cudgel · Nov 6, 2019

saf023[OP] initial post: ↑

Unfortunately inserting your rear headrest in backwards is surprising easy to do. It was dark and late and I stupidly did it on passenger side of the back seat. I didn't realize it until the following morning and when I tried I was unable to remove it. A little effort and investigation made it clear that pulling on it is not the answer.

As stupid as this self inflicted problem is I can't be the only one to have ever done this. I haven't been able to find a solution.

So as not to turn this problem into a Science Fair, can anyone who had removed and disassembled a rear seat come up with the steps necessary for manually releasing the headrest posts that does not include destroying the seat or the headrest?

Thanks in advance!
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Press the button and pull

cleats50 · Nov 6, 2019

topcathr said: ↑

My brother put mine on backwards and slammed the seat back, It broke my back window. I had to take the rear panel off the back of the seat and the rest sits in a plastic sleeve. I had to knock it out with a hammer and punch.......
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Hammer and punch your bro for that? Come on man.

fathomblue · Nov 7, 2019

saf023[OP] said: ↑

My faith in Toyota engineering is restored! Yes, it is ridiculously easy to inadvertently install any of our Tacoma headrests backwards.

When my headrest was hopelessly stuck and I couldn't pull it free without destroying it I called the dealer I bought my truck from. While their labor rates are expensive they are usually very on top of things. This time, however, they basically said if the headrest was installed backwards and if it was pushed all the way down then I have a real problem. They also said their solution is to remove the seat back and disassemble things until the headrest posts can be released.

I wanted to believe that Toyota anticipated this headrest problem and had designed a solution but I couldn't find anything on this problem. The above quoted post by @fathomblue was spot on. I found the slot just like the above picture and stuck a small screwdriver in it. It immediately released the post and the headrest pulled right out. THANK YOU SIR!

V/R
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You're welcome, glad I could help.

rnish · Nov 7, 2019

With a long enough lever you can move the world.

taco king · Nov 15, 2019

I just beat on mine. It eventually came out, no damage or problems for me.

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Rear Seat Headrest Backwards & Now It's Stuck!

#21
Cudgel “Tonka”

#22
cleats50 Well-Known Member

#23
fathomblue I used to be disgusted; now I'm just amused.

#24
rnish Well-Known Member

#25
taco king Active Member

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Welcome to Tacoma World!

Rear Seat Headrest Backwards & Now It's Stuck!

#21 Cudgel “Tonka”

#22 cleats50 Well-Known Member

#23 fathomblue I used to be disgusted; now I'm just amused.

#24 rnish Well-Known Member

#25 taco king Active Member

Products Discussed in Entire Site Forum: 2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)

#21
Cudgel “Tonka”

#22
cleats50 Well-Known Member

#23
fathomblue I used to be disgusted; now I'm just amused.

#24
rnish Well-Known Member

#25
taco king Active Member

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