Kia Sorento: Headrest (for front seat)

Both the driver and front passenger seats in your Kia Sorento come standard with adjustable headrests tailored to maximize occupant ergonomics and driving safety.

The integrated front headrests provide essential neck relaxation during long journeys while serving as crucial protective equipment designed to minimize whiplash injury and cushion the head and neck during a crash.

WARNING

Headrest Removal and Adjustment Restrictions

• Never operate your Kia Sorento with the seat headrests removed. Headrests are key safety devices that offer critical head and neck support to prevent severe spinal injuries during severe rear-end impacts.

• Never attempt to adjust the height of your headrest while the vehicle is actively in motion. Adjusting controls while driving diverts your attention from the road and may lead to loss of vehicle control.

CAUTION

Applying excessive force or yanking when pulling or pushing the headrest posts can bend the internal guide tubes or damage the height adjustment mechanism in your Kia Sorento.

Adjusting the height up and down

1. To raise the front headrest height, pull the cushion straight up to your preferred vertical support level until it clicks.
2. To lower the front headrest height:
   1. Press and hold the locking release button (1) situated on the base stem support collar of the headrest.
   2. Push the headrest cushion down to the desired height setting.

   WARNING

   To ensure maximum occupant head protection, always double-check that the headrest stems are locked securely into one of the height adjustment notches after making any position changes in your Kia Sorento.

   CAUTION

   If you tilt the seatback forward while the seat cushion height is elevated or the headrest is fully extended, the top of the headrest may contact and scratch the sun visor, headliner, or interior roof trim of your Kia Sorento.

Forward and backward adjustment: (if equipped)

If your vehicle is fitted with active tilt headrests, you can adjust the headrest cushion forward through 3 distinct position detents by pulling the headrest toward the front of the vehicle.

To return the headrest back to its rearmost neutral position, pull it all the way forward past the last detent stop and release it so it springs back to the starting point.

Always align the center of the headrest cushion level with the top of your ears to properly support your head and neck while driving the Kia Sorento.

Removing headrest

Figure 1. Type A

Figure 2. Type B

To detach and remove the headrest assembly safely from the seat frame:

1. Recline the seatback slightly using the side recliner lever or electric switch to create sufficient overhead clearance below the ceiling panel.
2. Pull the headrest upward as far as it will extend along its metal posts.
3. Depress and hold the headrest stem release button while pulling the headrest assembly fully up and out of the mounting holes.

   WARNING

   Dangers of Headrest Removal

   NEVER permit anyone to ride in any seat of your Kia Sorento with the headrest removed or installed backward. Without a properly mounted headrest, occupants are left without essential head impact protection, dramatically increasing the risk of fatal neck and spinal injuries during a collision.

Reinstalling headrest

To safely reinstall a previously removed headrest in your Kia Sorento, follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Recline the seatback slightly using the manual recline lever or electric control switch to allow adequate overhead clearance beneath the roof line.
2. Align the headrest metal poles directly with the mounting holes on top of the seatback, then push the posts downward while simultaneously pressing and holding the lock release button.
3. Slide the assembly down and adjust the headrest to your preferred vertical support height until it clicks into a designated locking notch.

   WARNING

   Headrest Reinstallation Safety

   To reduce the risk of severe head or neck injury during a collision or sudden stop, always confirm that the headrest stems are securely locked in place and adjusted to the correct height after reinstalling them in your Kia Sorento.