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2014 Recaro Seat - Lower Back Pain

11K views 26 replies 24 participants last post by  DrewST2  
#1 · (Edited)
My lower back is killing me after a 20min trip. Right above where a belt would sit on my waist. The pain only started in the last 3-4 weeks. I have tried every possible combination of seat position I can think of. I am 5-8" about 140lbs. I have owned my Focus since September of 2014. I dont know if this is a side effect from the seats breaking in or because with the warmer weather I am no longer wearing winter jacket. I have taken multiple 3 hour trips in the prior few months of ownership and never noticed this pain. Advice is much appreciated. Have tried cushion on the seat and rolled up towel on seat back. I am out of ideas. Maybe some of you have a similar issue and perhaps I am missing something obvious. Thanks in advance.
 
#2 ·
Weird, 5"8 and 240 here- just drove 1700 miles in mine, was happy to get back in the car the next day- Is the back pain chronic or definitely related to the car? Have you experimented with the seat straight up an down and at a slight angle? Would be interested in knowing what is going on if it is the seats.
 
#26 ·
Just got a compliment from my mother in law on the comfort of the Recaro seats, although she did say I was correct in them being hard to get out of.

I think they are harder to get into. I've crushed my junk more than once on the side of that seat as I get in.

and my 2 cents if the original poster is still reading these, turn the headrest around mine keeps my head to far forward which makes me hunch my shoulders and hurts my lower back. turned the headrest around and its much better.
 
#5 ·
If you haven't felt it before, you might just be sleeping bad, pulled a muscle, appendicitis. I had the latter. Started as a stomach ache then moved to entire right side/lower back pain. Might get checked out if it continues to bother you. Or cut your seats. A lot have done that as well.

sent from my OnePlus One
 
#9 ·
What I have found from people riding in my car. Is the shorter you are the more uncomfortable the seats are. I am 6' and they are the most comfortable seats I have ever had in any car including long distance driving. On the flip side though my wife is 5'4" and she hates the seats.
 
#10 ·
That's interesting.

I'm 6'1" 230 lbs and my ST3 seats are wonderful. I screwed up my lower back about a year ago and have tightness and pain regularly. Sitting in the FoST even in traffic for an hour isn't a factor. To me it's absolutely amazing in that regard.

All I can suggest is fiddling with the seat adjudtments. I was never able to get comfortable in my ex's 3-series bmw. No matter what.
 
#12 ·
lol every time i get in the passenger seat (which isn't often) i am reminded of how much i have worn out the driver seat - actually bent out the bolsters a bit
either way mine still gives me a bit of back paint for sure - but i just need to loose my gut
 
#20 ·
I agree. They are the best seats I've ever sat in, whether in the house, a car, the dentist office a movie theater.

BTW, I was at the car show back in January and here was my favorite comment about these seat I heard from two overweight guys looking at the ST:

"Those seats are not comfortable for guys like me who work out a lot and have big shoulders from lifting weights".
 
#21 ·
I`ve been combatting lower backpains for the better part of 20 years, ruptured disc.
Being slightly overweight as I am does not help. Every 3 months or so, I have my back tell me its not ok.

Having daily driven the ST3 for six months it have not adversely affected my back. Actually, driving with active backpain is more comforting in the ST3 than say the Volvo V50 I used to drive, and Volvo is well known for good seats..
 
#22 ·
The only people that complain about the seats in my ST3 are those who are overweight and/or too tall. I'm a small guy at 5'9" 140lbs, and they are easily the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in. I've taken numerous 5+ hour road trips where they never became uncomfortable. They truly fit like a glove.
 
#23 ·
Yes you should definitely experiment with different seating positions. I have mine (ST3) much more upright than any car I've ever owned and had some discomfort before I did that (someone had posted some Recaro seating position pictures that pushed me in the right direction).

Occasionally I'll have an issue with the hip bolsters but it's because I have to sit EXACTLY in the middle of them or I get pressure on the off-center side. I've done several 5 hour road trips and a couple of 7 hour ones and am generally very comfortable. I'm 6' 195 FWIW.
 
#25 ·
I don't remember if my '14 ST3 had the adjustable lumbar but my '15 does and it has been a lifesaver. I recently found out I have two herniated discs in my lower back and my seats are the only ones I can get comfortable in until my surgery.

And I have no idea how tall people can't get comfortable in the Recaros. I'm 6'8/220 and they fit perfect!