Citygirl, I pretty much solved my headrest problem by purchasing a 2007 Mazda3 headrest on ebay. They go for under $40, and will fit the 2012. I think everything from 2004 - 2012 will fit. They list the model years these are compatible with. The older (pre-2008) headrests don't tilt as far forward. I decided that if it wasn't the right angle, I would just bend the rods a bit at the top. If I ruined it, I would only be out the cost of the replacement headrest, without damaging the original equipment.

Mazzystarr,
Even though I wouldn't have thought it, my hips are too wide for the 2012 cloth Mazda 3 seats. In my post above I mention using an Action Pilot gel cushion. It lifts me up out of that "V" the side bolsters make, and mostly solves the hip pain problem. It is also an excellent shock absorber for that stiff Mazda ride. I tried the Mazda leather seats when I bought my i Touring, and thought they were even tighter/more confining. It may be that you should go with an aftermarket seat, or perhaps the seat(s) taken out of an older Mazda 3 (ebay). You will have to deal with the seat airbags somehow. (See Speed3STi251's comments above)

I also put a layer of 1/4" foam against the front of the seat to soften it a bit, held in place (of all things) by a sleeveless tee shirt. Hey, I can pull all of that stuff off in less than a minute, and it protects the seat for when I eventually sell it. I even added some foam under the shirt to give me some lumbar support. Now my seat is reasonably comfortable. I hope this helps you. I also hope that someone from Mazda reads these posts, because even though it is an excellent car, I will probably never buy another one unless they get serious about seat comfort.

 

The one thing I really miss from my Mz6 is the adjustable lumbar cushion.

 

i don't like having anything on my seats, i would just leave it alone and rough it out. or replace the seats all together.

 

When we bought our Mazda 3 I didn't like the driver's seat for long drives--it seemed turned up at the sides of the bottom seat so that I had uncomfortable pressure on butt and thighs. That was in fall 09. Since then I have not noticed that problem, and think I have worn those side ridges down.

 

Weighing in...bought my 2012-3, G engine, in Oct 2011 (just after they stopped production, a different story).
I have had back issues most of my life, this car has been the worst I can recall since my 1972 Reneault R6.
I've been riding around with an orthopedic seat cushion plus a back posture cushion, which helped a bit but the problem has been getting worse. Have just ordered an Obus Forme cushion set through Amazon, hopng that will help. That was just after I stopped at my local Toyota dealer to see what options might be there, and tossing the Mazda under the bus.
I talked to one of the custom seat cushion outfits about replacement seats and it seems like a pretty big deal...up front cost, installation, return issues. If these new cushions don't do the job it will be a toss up between replacing the seat and replacing the car.
Really too bad, it is a whale of a vehicle.

 

I wanted to report back my seat issues for others with the same problem. I've been sitting on an orthopedic wedge cushion, and for a couple of months have been using an Obus Forme backrest. The backrest comes with a separate lumbar support, so I'm actually using three cushions. I've had good results. I think it helps quite a bit that I've anchored all 3 cushions with moderate-strength velcro tape, so nothing goes sliding around. I'm much more comfortable now driving the car and feel like I can keep it indefinitely now without worrying about back issues.

 

Completely agree with so many of the comments in this thread. We bought a Mazda 3 in April this year and I am in unbelievable pain every time I am in the car for more than a very short drive. The first issue was the absurd headrest, which sits too far forward. I had no help from Mazda with that one and eventually had to buy one from a wrecker and modify it. The poles are now straight and the headrest is now upright and that did fix some of the neck pain.

However, I am still left in agony by these seats. They are too low, too narrow, and too short for someone such as me, who is about 6'4". When you ask Mazda about this they say they built the car for "mums and dads" (whatever that means!). I think this is definitely a car that should not be sold to tall people. It is just so ludicrous. I can sit in comfort for eight hours a day on an $89 office chair, yet they can't put a comfortable seat into a $33,000 car.

The shoulder, neck, lower back, and leg pain from this car is unbearable. We are looking at getting rid of it.

 

see my previous post. The orthopedic seat cushions are holding up well, my comfort issues have been solved. Hope this can help you -
H

 

Thanks for the suggestion, although I should mention that I have tried various cushions and it doesn't help. Putting anything on the bottom of the seat leads to a situation where you can feel the hair on your head rubbing against the roof of the car and any bump in the road is likely to have your head hitting the roof. Putting anything against the back of the seat instantly makes you feel very cramped and doesn't solve the pain. The best I can work out is that the seat is just far too low. I did some measurements and found that the seat is as little as 28 centimetres from the floor of the car. By comparison, an office chair set at a comfortable height for me is around 50 centimetres from the floor. The angles created by such a low seat, I think, are a major contributor to the pain. I also think the narrowness of the seat may be causing an issue.

 

The sides of the seat are too narrow. Very uncomfortable, jabbing me in my sides. I keep adjusting the seat different ways to make it go away but have not had success. I bought an inexpensive seat cushion to help fill the gap. Not sure if that will be the fix though. I am 6 foot tall and don't like to sit far back but I did raise the seat to ease in and out of car. Anyone else feel bothered by the sides?

 

I have a message earlier in this string stating the same discomfort. I'm 6'3". But in the last year or two I think those sides have softened up, so I now live with it.

 

I have just been given a 2015 Mazda 3 for a company car. I am in this car for an average of 5 hours a day and it has just got to the point that I can't drive it any more. I have gone back to using my own car.
So a word of warning to any contemplating buying one of these, unless you intend on driving 5 mins to the shop once a week FORGET IT!!

 

I, too, find that the 3's seat cushions are a wee bit too short and narrow. I have long legs (34" inseam) and my knees sit well out front of the bottom cushion. This can lead to pain and discomfort. I don't know of any way to extend the cushion's length, but I do have a solution for the narrowness and thinness of the cushion: try something like a ThermaRest pad. Coleman also makes similar products.

These are "camping" pads that self-inflate when you open their valve. The pad itself is fairly thin, maybe 1" or so, so it doesn't raise you up so much that your head is scraping the headliner. Additionally, you can fine tune the thickness and cushioning by either blowing additional air into it or bleeding air off. I've used these before to good effect. And, because you can deflate them, you can roll one up and take it with you into stadiums and such - cool!

They are fairly inexpensive, $20-$35, and can be found at any camping store and many WalMarts...

Here's a linky to what I'm on about:
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-...seats/category

And here's another, a "paddling" cushion that looks to be very comfortable - the form factor looks like it would fit most folk's butt cheeks pretty well:
http://www.rei.com/product/791146/sk...ddling-cushion

In fact, Skwoosh.com offers pads specifically made for cars and trucks and they're only 0.75" - 1.5" thick albeit a bit more expensive at $69.95 - $89.95. But hey, what price comfort?:
http://www.skwoosh.com/category/car-seat-cushions.html


-CD-

 

Has anyone tried Mazda 3 speed seats for these issues or does anyone know of another seat that will fit in replacement?

 

I'm two months in with my Mazda3 hatch and stared having severe low back and hip pain AND neck pain. I've just found an auto upholstered to bend the head rest and I ordered some coccyx and back sopport pillows. Anyone have experience with seat covers? I'm praying this works. Also, I have a manual shift that requires reaching because the wheel doesn't telescope enough. So sad. This car is so pretty and drives well, but it's crippling me, truly. The pain lasts all day --even out of the car.