So I know to fold down the rear seats, I need to have the headrest on each rear seat in the bottom position and then folded forward. Unfortunately, on the one seat, the headrest won't go down. I looked in the manual and it shows a picture of the button (located on top of the seat) you press to fold down the seat with an arrow pointing inward, as if you push that button inward in order to lower the headrest...? I have tried this but it isn't working and I don't want to force anything and break something. So what am I missing?

Are you sure the headrest isn't installed backwards?

Yes, you push that button inward. You may have to push hard. You might try lifting the headrest some as you push the button in. Make sure the notches in the headrest post is on the other side of the button. Do you have the right on the left side, and vice versa?

It's the left/driver's side rear seat. The button is to the left of the headrest. Not sure what you mean about the notches...?

There are a few steps…

(For the drivers side rear seat)

Shorten the headrest to a low height by pressing the button on the outside/left side of the left headrest base and pushing down on top. You way need to wiggle the headrest to get it to drop.

Fold the headrest forward by actuating the short lever forward on the left/window/exterior side of the headrest itself. It is spring loaded so it should just fold automatically.

Lift/fold the seat base forward by pulling on the nylon cord handle found at the center of the crevice between the butt pad and the bottom of the seat back. It will flip onto the back of the drivers seat.

Finally fold down the rear seat by pressing the button found on the top/shoulder.

Thank you for outlining the steps, however I do understand all that already. The button on the top/shoulder that you press to fold down the seat, is that the button you also press in to the left in order to shorten the headrest itself?

Pretty sure. The lever to fold the headrest forward is on the left side.

You should see some notches on the metal rod that goes into the seat. They will be on the opposite side of the post from the button you push to lower the head rest. If there are no notches there, your headrest is installed wrong or on the wrong side of the car.

Not all 4Runers have head rests that can be folded. Depends on the year (and the trim level?). My 2018 SR5 does not have fold-able headrests.

Since I am tall, I have to have my front seat all the way back. If I can't lower the rear seats, I have to remove the rear head rests by pulling them all the way out.

OP, you might try removing the rear head rest then reinstalling it.

That is only to fold the seat.

The button for the head rest is built into the base of the where the headrest post is inserted.

Look carefully at this post and you will see what I mean.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/247504-post8.html

Picture for reference (may not be your exact model)

[IMG]Screen Shot 2023-01-30 at 9.54.31 AM by Mike H, on Flickr[/IMG]

OP, Im super curious if you have this figured out. Here’s what I’m working with…

1 - this lever folds down the headrest
2 - this button lowers the headrest
3 - this button folds down the seat.

Each button only controls one action/direction.
Let me know if this helps.

2010 here and we dont have folding headrests either. Stupid headrests take up so much of my rear view that I just remove the god damn thing. My kids arent tall enough to utilize it yet.

just remove it.

If anything, I learned the difference between the 2 row and 3 row seat designs ...