2015-2020 Ford F-150 Lariat Headrest: Camel Leather Match and Comfort Fixes

Symptoms of a Failing or Worn Headrest

Since a headrest has few moving parts, 'failure' is typically related to physical wear, cosmetic damage, or issues with its adjustment mechanism. The most common complaints from owners are often related to comfort rather than outright breakage.

1. Cosmetic Damage

The most frequent issue is wear and tear on the Camel leather surface. Look for:

• Cracked or Torn Leather: Years of use, sun exposure, and contact with hair products can cause the leather to dry out, crack, or tear.
• Stains and Discoloration: Spills or dye transfer from clothing can permanently stain the light-colored Camel leather.
• Collapsed Foam: The internal foam cushion can break down over time, leading to a hard, uncomfortable, or lumpy surface.

2. Adjustment Mechanism Problems

The headrest has a height adjustment that can fail, although this is uncommon.

• Stuck Headrest: The headrest may get stuck in one position and refuse to move up or down. This is often caused by a problem with the release buttons at the base of the posts.
• Rattling Noise: Some owners report a rattling sound coming from the passenger seat area. While it may sound like the headrest, this has been traced to a counterweight inside the upper seatback designed to reduce seat shake. If the headrest itself is secure, the noise is likely coming from within the seat structure.
🎬 See how to fix this passenger seat rattle

3. Uncomfortable Forward Angle (Common Complaint)

A widespread complaint for this F-150 generation is the aggressive forward tilt of the front headrests, which can push the occupant's head forward into an uncomfortable position. This is a design choice for safety but affects drivers of different statures. Many owners find that even in the rearmost tilt position, it feels intrusive.

Buying a Used Front Leather Headrest

A used OEM headrest is an excellent choice, as aftermarket options for specific trim and color combinations like the Lariat's Camel leather are virtually nonexistent. Here’s what to check before you buy.

1. Verify Trim and Color Match

Always compare the used headrest to your existing one or a clear photo of your interior. 'Camel' can look different under various lighting conditions. Ask the seller for photos in natural light if possible.

2. Physical Inspection Checklist

• Leather Condition: Closely inspect the entire surface for cracks, deep scratches, tears, or split seams. Pay special attention to the front face where the head rests.
• Foam Integrity: Squeeze the headrest firmly. It should feel firm and spring back into shape. Avoid any that feel crunchy, lumpy, or have permanently collapsed sections.
• Post Integrity: Check that the two steel posts are perfectly straight and free of rust. Bent posts will make installation difficult or impossible.
• Plastic Trim: Inspect the plastic bezels at the base of the posts for cracks or broken clips.
• Odor: Smell the headrest. Lingering odors from smoke or spills can be very difficult to remove from the foam core.

Known Issues, Recalls, and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs)

While there are no recalls or TSBs specifically for the removable headrest portion, there are several important safety recalls related to the front seats of the 2015-2020 F-150 that owners should be aware of.

• NHTSA Recall 19C07: Affects certain 2018-2020 F-150s. The manual front seat back recliner mechanism may be missing a component, reducing its strength in a crash.
• Seatbelt Pretensioner Recall: A major recall was issued for 2015-2018 F-150s because the seatbelt pretensioners could generate excessive sparks during deployment, creating a fire risk inside the B-pillar.

These issues do not involve the headrest itself but relate to the overall safety system of the seat it attaches to.

Replacement and Installation

Replacing the front headrest is extremely easy and requires no tools.

Difficulty: 1 out of 5

Estimated Time: 2 minutes

Step-by-Step Removal and Installation

1. Recline the Seat (If Needed): For extra clearance, recline the seatback so the headrest doesn't hit the truck's headliner during removal.
2. Raise Headrest: Push the visible adjustment button at the base of one of the headrest posts and pull the headrest all the way up.
3. Press Second Release Button: Locate the second, smaller release button on the plastic base of the other post. It is often flush and can be hard to see.
4. Remove Headrest: Press both the main adjustment button and the hidden release button simultaneously, and pull the headrest straight up and out of the seat.
🎬 Watch: Quick video walkthrough of the removal process
5. Install New Headrest: Simply align the posts with the holes in the top of the seat and push the new headrest down until it clicks into place. Adjust for height as needed.

Cost Comparison

Prices for a single front headrest can vary based on condition and source.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Part Numbers & Specifications

These headrests are interchangeable between the driver and passenger sides. The part number changed during the production run.

Always verify fitment with a VIN, but visually matching the Camel color and Lariat style is the most important step.