Panicked about the headrest issue
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 12
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GL450
Panicked about the headrest issue
Okay.... I am having a minor panic attack. I am picking up my 2016 GL350 this week. I was rather excited about the power easy entry feature until I read about the car seat and small child issue. I see there is a work around to remove the pin or to convince MB to give me new headrests. I will do that if that is my only option. 
However, I saw in the headrest thread that someone said that there 2016 doesn't have the issue anymore. Does anyone know if this is true? I would love to hear it is so. My local dealer doesn't have and GLs left and the next closest dealer is quite a drive. Any info would be appreciated.
Until I read about this I was really so very excited to be coming back to the Benz world!!! I just can't wait any longer!! I gave in and leased the GL because I'm not patient enough at the moment to wait until I can get a decent discount on a GLS.
However, I saw in the headrest thread that someone said that there 2016 doesn't have the issue anymore. Does anyone know if this is true? I would love to hear it is so. My local dealer doesn't have and GLs left and the next closest dealer is quite a drive. Any info would be appreciated.
Until I read about this I was really so very excited to be coming back to the Benz world!!! I just can't wait any longer!! I gave in and leased the GL because I'm not patient enough at the moment to wait until I can get a decent discount on a GLS.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 595
Likes: 38
From: Boston area
2019 GLS450
My advice would be to bring your child with you when you pick it up and also a car seat. Yes, I am also a parent and know you're on borrowed time bring the kids. However, BEFORE signing and taking delivery, that would be the time to check it out for yourself. If it is an issue for you, DO NOT TAKE DELIVERY. Any promises they make to "fix" it for you, get it in writing before driving it off the lot. Also don't let them guilt you about all of the work that went into prepping the vehicle nor the paperwork involved to unwind the deal, not your concern. Your only concern is is the comfort of your child in a vehicle that you're gonna to be putting them into for the next 3 years.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
2014 Honda Odyseey Touring Elite
My advice would be to bring your child with you when you pick it up and also a car seat. Yes, I am also a parent and know you're on borrowed time bring the kids. However, BEFORE signing and taking delivery, that would be the time to check it out for yourself. If it is an issue for you, DO NOT TAKE DELIVERY. Any promises they make to "fix" it for you, get it in writing before driving it off the lot. Also don't let them guilt you about all of the work that went into prepping the vehicle nor the paperwork involved to unwind the deal, not your concern. Your only concern is is the comfort of your child in a vehicle that you're gonna to be putting them into for the next 3 years.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 814
Likes: 9
15 GL550
It's not a big deal. Do not install the manual headrest because you will have to manually push the headrest down frequently which defeats the purpose. Ask the dealer to remove the pin. If they are unwilling, take it to a shop like a car audio shop that is familiar with working with car upholstery. Print of the directions to remove the pin that are on this forum and they will be able to remove the pin in 30 min or less while you wait. Some people seem to be able to do this themselves. The leather was too tight for me to remove the clips without tools which a car audio shop will have. Nothing to get excited about, enjoy your new GL.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
2014 Honda Odyseey Touring Elite
It's not a big deal. Do not install the manual headrest because you will have to manually push the headrest down frequently which defeats the purpose. Ask the dealer to remove the pin. If they are unwilling, take it to a shop like a car audio shop that is familiar with working with car upholstery. Print of the directions to remove the pin that are on this forum and they will be able to remove the pin in 30 min or less while you wait. Some people seem to be able to do this themselves. The leather was too tight for me to remove the clips without tools which a car audio shop will have. Nothing to get excited about, enjoy your new GL.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
2014 Honda Odyseey Touring Elite
I don't think it will work with this seat. I went and tested it. It is the only harnessed seat my son still fits in so I can't change the seat. It is super tightly wedged under the headrest. What a mess. The headrest does give and I hope my other son will fit with it without an issue. I'll have to get one headrest removed.
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Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
MB GLS550/BMW 550/2017 Acura NSX
I just picked my wife up a 2016 GL last week with the EZ Entry option. The headrests were indeed a problem.
I removed the pins myself by following the directions on this site. It's not hard. First one took 15 minutes, the 2nd one took only 5 minutes.
FYI, the headrests have been redesigned for the GLS model.
I removed the pins myself by following the directions on this site. It's not hard. First one took 15 minutes, the 2nd one took only 5 minutes.
FYI, the headrests have been redesigned for the GLS model.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
2014 Honda Odyseey Touring Elite
I just picked my wife up a 2016 GL last week with the EZ Entry option. The headrests were indeed a problem.
I removed the pins myself by following the directions on this site. It's not hard. First one took 15 minutes, the 2nd one took only 5 minutes.
FYI, the headrests have been redesigned for the GLS model.
I removed the pins myself by following the directions on this site. It's not hard. First one took 15 minutes, the 2nd one took only 5 minutes.
FYI, the headrests have been redesigned for the GLS model.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 814
Likes: 9
15 GL550
I understand why they are designed the way they are, for an adult, the pin keeps the headrest forward which is a more comfortable position for an adult plus it allows the headrest to clear the seat back. The problem of course is adults only occasionally sit in the back seats of these vehicles.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
2014 Honda Odyseey Touring Elite
No, they will remain in the position you place them in. They pivot from the top so the bottom of the headrest will rest against the posts sitting flush with the seat back, which is what works for kids and car seats. The seat back is reclining so the headrest bottom wants to rest against the posts once the pin is removed. If you push the bottom forward however, there is enough friction that the headrest bottom will remain forward allowing you to push the button with the same hand. Easy as pie.
I understand why they are designed the way they are, for an adult, the pin keeps the headrest forward which is a more comfortable position for an adult plus it allows the headrest to clear the seat back. The problem of course is adults only occasionally sit in the back seats of these vehicles.
I understand why they are designed the way they are, for an adult, the pin keeps the headrest forward which is a more comfortable position for an adult plus it allows the headrest to clear the seat back. The problem of course is adults only occasionally sit in the back seats of these vehicles.
.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Ford Lightning, GL350 and a couple of outbacks
we custom ordered a 2015 GL last February and specifically deleted the ez entry and went manual. Since you have to manually put it back down anyway and we have three kids we decided it wasn't worth it especially since the headrests didn't seem to be able to stay in the part way down position. The kids know to drop the headrest before they fold the seat and so far it hasn't been a problem. It seems that every car on the lot has the feature so it's hard to avoid. I just wanted to weigh in and say it's not that big of a deal to live without it and I'm glad we didn't get it.
