A control system and method for automatically adjusting the position of a headrest of a seat assembly for a vehicle. The control system includes at least one occupancy sensor disposed within the seat assembly for detecting the presence of a passenger in the seat assembly and at least one passenger position sensor disposed proximate to the headrest for detecting the position of a passenger's head relative to the position of the headrest. A control module monitors the output of the at least one occupancy and position sensors and generates a control signal instructing the at least one drive motor to reposition the headrest to adjust to the presence and position of the passenger in the seat.