I bought a 2008 Honda Civic LX from a dealership three weeks ago. It took about 40 minutes of driving to realize that what I thought was simply a firm seat was actually terribly uncomfortable and unsupportive. The more I drove my newly purchased car, the more sharp, agonizing back pain I began to experience with every minute spent in the seat.

The reason I bought this car was because my last one was totaled in an accident that resulted in back pain and injury. However, I've driven many cars in the year since my accident, including a Hyundai Elantra, Cadillac CTS, and Chevy Malibu, and none have come close to causing this kind of pain.

The seats are hard with no cushion or padding to speak of, the "lumbar support" is a protruding and intrusive column that digs into my back, there's absolutely no padding or support in the seat bottom or upper back, and the neck rest tilts downward, locking my head at an odd angle.

I attempted to return the car the day after I got it but was turned away and ignored by the dealership, despite backing my claims up with research that many other complaints have been filed against Civic car seats from 2008-2013. In an attempt to salvage the situation, I've tried everything from memory foam cushions to pricey ergonomic inserts from Relax the Back, and nothing has been the problem better. The seat is simply terrible in ergonomics, design, and padding. Everything I've done has been like putting a band-aid over a gaping wound.

After writing a lengthy Yelp review, I was contacted by the Honda dealer's customer service rep who said she's work with me on a trade-in. I'll very likely be out thousands of dollars for a car I only had for a month and caused me nothing but pain, tears, and misery. I saved up for a year to buy this car, and I'll barely have enough left to replace it. But I can't own a car I can't drive, and I have enough back pain without adding more from the car I just spent all of my savings on.

This whole situation has been devastating, and I never expected this from a brand so highly praised by everyone I know. I did my research before buying, but I didn't uncover these seat complaints until it was too late. I trusted in the Honda name and the praise I'd heard from friends and family. I've never had a seat problem before, so it honestly didn't occur to me to dig deeper and specifically look this problem up. I'll never make that mistake again.

I am so disappointed in Honda for producing such cheap, terrible car seats. I will never, ever buy a Honda again or recommend one to anyone I know.