# Can 2018 Escape rear headrests be pulled off? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 17, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-2018-escape-rear-headrests-be-pulled-off/814327 "2018-05-17T03:26:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-2018-escape-rear-headrests-be-pulled-off/814327/1 "2018-05-17T03:26:16Z")
Two of us are taking a long trip this summer in a new Ford Escape, and it would be helpful if the headrests on the rear seats (which will be laid down) could be easily pulled off the seats, like we could on older cars, to have more handy space back there. Is this pretty easy? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-2018-escape-rear-headrests-be-pulled-off/814327/2 "2018-05-17T04:03:55Z")
There should be tabs like semi-circular buttons built into the gaskets they plug into; you push the tabs in to raise and lower them. You should be able to remove them if you have the tab pushed in; there may also be a separate pinhole you push a paperclip into to release the catch. I’ve removed the headrests from previous Fords, so the technology is probably there, just not necessarily easy to find or use. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-2018-escape-rear-headrests-be-pulled-off/814327/3 "2018-05-17T04:04:48Z")
In order to adjust or remove the headrest, you usually need to pinch the trim together where the headrest enters the seat. This is common to several manufacturers, including my 2017 Ford transit. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-2018-escape-rear-headrests-be-pulled-off/814327/4 "2018-05-17T14:04:50Z")
I had the release/removal button in my 2004 Escape but I just went and looked at my 2017 Escape and didn’t find it. The headrests fold down but as far as I can tell, they can’t be removed. Unless maybe using the pinhole \*\*Ethilrist \*\*describes…I didn’t search for that. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-2018-escape-rear-headrests-be-pulled-off/814327/5 "2018-05-17T15:02:04Z")
hopefully [this link doesn’t get mangled.](http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?bookCode=O38149&languageCode=en&marketCode=US&viewTech=IE&chapterTitleSelected=G1448472&subTitleSelected=G1608840&topicHRef=G1608841&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&userMarket=USA) > [@](#): > > Removing the Head Restraint > Pull the head restraint up until it reaches its highest position. > Press and hold buttons C and D. > Pull the head restraint up. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-2018-escape-rear-headrests-be-pulled-off/814327/6 "2018-05-17T17:23:46Z")
I saw that too, **jz7881**. But the images don’t look like what’s in my car. Then I went to the [front page](http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?bookCode=O38149&languageCode=en&marketCode=US&viewTech=IE&chapterTitleSelected=G1448322&subTitleSelected=G1467678&topicHRef=G1467680&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&userMarket=USA) and saw: > [@](#): > > Note: This manual describes product features and options available throughout the range of available models, sometimes even before they are generally available.It may describe options not fitted to the vehicle you have purchased. > Note: Some of the illustrations in this manual may show features as used in different models, so may appear different to you on your vehicle. So, I don’t know that it actually applies. I will look at my mom’s 2018 Escape sometime soon and report back.