2023 Telluride Trailer Hitch Receiver availability

[rlehs]

I recently had U-Haul install their (Draw-Tite) hitch on my '23 SX-P and I'm quite satisfied with it, although I mostly just tow a utility trailer. It fits tight against the bumper cover but not so tight that I feel compelled to cut the relief in it. I was considering ordering the Canadian Palisade harness until learning on the forum about the shipping delays, so instead paid U-Haul to install their 4-pin ZCI Zero Contact Interface Universal ModuLite wiring kit. It's a non-invasive, inductive system that requires no cutting, splicing or any form of permanent mods to the car. In theory, it's a do it yourself product but I'm glad I decided to pay U-Haul, especially after the techs told me that it was much more involved than they expected, mostly just in the effort to find the correct wires. In the end, the lights do seem to function correctly, which I guess was the objective, so for now I'm satisfied. I'll leave the book open on long term reliability.

Willing to post a few photos of the hitch installed?

 

[ERC52]

Willing to post a few photos of the hitch installed?

Here are pics of the hitch. The bottom of the hitch is about 11.25" to the ground at the outboard end.




This last view shows the slight deformation of the bumper cover. I had planned to remove the insert and trim it as discussed here in the forum but am quite content with it just the way it is.

 

[G-852714]

I have been shopping for a new SUV and looked seriously at the Telluride until I ran into this issue. The unofficial word is they did not score as high on safety tests with the hitch installed. Kia removed the hitch to retain the higher safety rating. Given this information, I don't think you will ever see a hitch from Kia for the 2023 model and have to find something aftermarket. I going to a different manufacturer as I find this consumer behavior to be reprehensible.

 

[G-125481]

I have been shopping for a new SUV and looked seriously at the Telluride until I ran into this issue. The unofficial word is they did not score as high on safety tests with the hitch installed. Kia removed the hitch to retain the higher safety rating. Given this information, I don't think you will ever see a hitch from Kia for the 2023 model and have to find something aftermarket. I going to a different manufacturer as I find this consumer behavior to be reprehensible.

Incredibly curious to know which safety test was worse with a hitch installed. Any idea?

______________________________

 

[Oneto3four]

I have been shopping for a new SUV and looked seriously at the Telluride until I ran into this issue. The unofficial word is they did not score as high on safety tests with the hitch installed. Kia removed the hitch to retain the higher safety rating. Given this information, I don't think you will ever see a hitch from Kia for the 2023 model and have to find something aftermarket. I going to a different manufacturer as I find this consumer behavior to be reprehensible.

Which safety test is performed with a hitch installed and causes the performance to change? I'm surprised they would do safety testing with a hitch installed since it's not standard on the Telly.

 

[corsair]

Lots of rumors. I appreciate additional information but without trustworthy sources, this speculation doesn’t bring much value to the table.

 

[hugh]

Here are pics of the hitch. The bottom of the hitch is about 11.25" to the ground at the outboard end.

View attachment 29589
View attachment 29590
View attachment 29591
This last view shows the slight deformation of the bumper cover. I had planned to remove the insert and trim it as discussed here in the forum but am quite content with it just the way it is.

Wow, that's crazy low. That hitch height would be unusable for the things I tow. Any small bumps or hills, and I'd be scraping the ground!

Is the factory hitch that low too?

 

[2020Telly]

Wow, that's crazy low. That hitch height would be unusable for the things I tow. Any small bumps or hills, and I'd be scraping the ground!

Is the factory hitch that low too?

2020-2022 Factory Hitch on a 2023:

The 2023 Telluride Towing Saga - Adding some data and pictures, and it's not great news

I installed a stealth hitch and their supplied aftermarket harness. Big thanks to @tyger23 for posting schematics and connector pinouts! Quick rant.. I'm disappointed with stealth hitch. Although I perviously loved their products, do yourself a favor and stay away.. the install turned into a...

tellurideforum.org

______________________________

 

[bhutton]

The 2023 stock hitch looks the same as the previous years. From the KBB review video from July of last year. (

)

 

[bhutton]

I called Kia customer service in December and logged a complaint about false advertising. Then have been following up on it every few weeks. I’d suggest everyone who bought one do the same. +1-800-333-4542

 

[bhutton]

2020-2022 Factory Hitch on a 2023:
View attachment 29643


How did the 2020-2022 installation go? Other than the official trim piece and the harness, how does the older hardware fit?

 

[joespara]

I called Kia customer service in December and logged a complaint about false advertising. Then have been following up on it every few weeks. I’d suggest everyone who bought one do the same. +1-800-333-4542

I called and was left on hold for 52 minutes until I gave up

______________________________

 

[bhutton]

I called and was left on hold for 52 minutes until I gave up

Dang. I’ve gotten through within 10 minutes when I’ve called.

 

[dmc346]

I have a 2023 telluride ex xline and prior to purchasing found out, thanks to this forum, that no hitches or wiring are available for the 2023. I told the salesperson it was a deal breaker and he provided me with a 2023 brochure showing a hitch but not yet available. I went through with the purchase believing they would develop something. I have went through and read every thread related to towing/wiring and understand some aftermarket services are tapping into wires. I am really trying to stay away from that so last week I filed a complaint with Kia and I just got off the phone with them and the person knew of the issue and said that Kia “Has not started to come out with a solution for the 2023, because they are stilling looking into the recall on the older ones”. Wow, I gave her the whole story about buying to tow, saw advertising being able to tow and she said I know. I then asked her if I could at least get a wiring diagram from Kia to have it successfully wired to the correct wires. She put me on hold and came back and said she could not provide me with that as they don’t have an idea how there were going to wire it, but if I wanted to try to figure it myself, go to Kia tech info.com and purchase a diagram to figure it out myself. Again Wow, it appears they don’t know how they are going to wire it yet that will not start a fire, but for me to figure it out with a wiring diagram. I let her know that there are a lot of people very angry on line but she did not seem to care as it was way above her head. So right now, even using the wiring from etrailer that you have to wire in, I would be hesitant as Kia don’t even know if that will cause a problem similar to the older Tellurides. Very disappointed as I bought this vehicle to tow my boat instead of borrowing a truck from a relative, which I will have to do anyways.

 

[randymangold]

I am picking up our new 2023 SX-Prestige on Tuesday. Ordered last March with tow package. Arrived without hitch or self-leveling rear suspension. Dealer assured me that the hitch and wiring harness they are installing are factory and that Kia is releasing hitches to the dealers to install even though they are still not installing them at the factory. I am dubious about this but will find out Tuesday. Have had other issues with this dealership's communication/knowledge or lack thereof.

 

[AkayV]

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The federal trade commission and your states attorney general are “the peoples lawyer”, only if they know about fraudulent sales practices

______________________________

 

[AkayV]

I have a 2023 telluride ex xline and prior to purchasing found out, thanks to this forum, that no hitches or wiring are available for the 2023. I told the salesperson it was a deal breaker and he provided me with a 2023 brochure showing a hitch but not yet available. I went through with the purchase believing they would develop something. I have went through and read every thread related to towing/wiring and understand some aftermarket services are tapping into wires. I am really trying to stay away from that so last week I filed a complaint with Kia and I just got off the phone with them and the person knew of the issue and said that Kia “Has not started to come out with a solution for the 2023, because they are stilling looking into the recall on the older ones”. Wow, I gave her the whole story about buying to tow, saw advertising being able to tow and she said I know. I then asked her if I could at least get a wiring diagram from Kia to have it successfully wired to the correct wires. She put me on hold and came back and said she could not provide me with that as they don’t have an idea how there were going to wire it, but if I wanted to try to figure it myself, go to Kia tech info.com and purchase a diagram to figure it out myself. Again Wow, it appears they don’t know how they are going to wire it yet that will not start a fire, but for me to figure it out with a wiring diagram. I let her know that there are a lot of people very angry on line but she did not seem to care as it was way above her head. So right now, even using the wiring from etrailer that you have to wire in, I would be hesitant as Kia don’t even know if that will cause a problem similar to the older Tellurides. Very disappointed as I bought this vehicle to tow my boat instead of borrowing a truck from a relative, which I will have to do anyway

 

[AkayV]

State Attorneys General | USAGov

Attorneys general are the top legal officers of their state or territory. They advise and represent their legislature and state agencies and act as the “People’s Lawyer” for the citizens. Most are elected, though a few are appointed by the governor. Select your state to connect to your state...

www.usa.gov

With public complaints the attorney general and the federal trade commission may help.

 

[PittPa]

Before everything was plug and play, tapping into existing connections wasn't the end of the world. I had to do this when I added a 3rd party harness to an older Audi Q5. If this is an option, I would rather get it working on my Telluride and go about my business rather than pursue phone calls, lawsuits, with almost no chance of any immediate results.

 

[AkayV]

I have a 2023 telluride ex xline and prior to purchasing found out, thanks to this forum, that no hitches or wiring are available for the 2023. I told the salesperson it was a deal breaker and he provided me with a 2023 brochure showing a hitch but not yet available. I went through with the purchase believing they would develop something. I have went through and read every thread related to towing/wiring and understand some aftermarket services are tapping into wires. I am really trying to stay away from that so last week I filed a complaint with Kia and I just got off the phone with them and the person knew of the issue and said that Kia “Has not started to come out with a solution for the 2023, because they are stilling looking into the recall on the older ones”. Wow, I gave her the whole story about buying to tow, saw advertising being able to tow and she said I know. I then asked her if I could at least get a wiring diagram from Kia to have it successfully wired to the correct wires. She put me on hold and came back and said she could not provide me with that as they don’t have an idea how there were going to wire it, but if I wanted to try to figure it myself, go to Kia tech info.com and purchase a diagram to figure it out myself. Again Wow, it appears they don’t know how they are going to wire it yet that will not start a fire, but for me to figure it out with a wiring diagram. I let her know that there are a lot of people very angry on line but she did not seem to care as it was way above her head. So right now, even using the wiring from etrailer that you have to wire in, I would be hesitant as Kia don’t even know if that will cause a problem similar to the older Tellurides. Very disappointed as I bought this vehicle to tow my boat instead of borrowing a truck from a relative, which I will have to do anyways.

State Attorneys General | USAGov

Attorneys general are the top legal officers of their state or territory. They advise and represent their legislature and state agencies and act as the “People’s Lawyer” for the citizens. Most are elected, though a few are appointed by the governor. Select your state to connect to your state...

www.usa.gov

The federal trade commission and your states attorney general are “the peoples lawyer”, only if they know about fraudulent sales practices