2023 Telluride Trailer Hitch Receiver availability

[lcornice]

Picked up the Tow Hitch Kit S9F61-AU100CCC and the Latch (Power) Assembly 81800-S9600CCC last night. Here's a pic of the Latch Assembly. I have absolutely no clue what it does and how to install it. So for now it is a paper weight. I think someone at Kia needs to be fired.

Yes, they look identical. That said, it was only a 10 minute job to swap them out. Had to write 'old' on the original so I didn't reinstall it after the picture.

 

[corsair]

I know there are a lot of people wanting to know the "why" behind this latch, and these would be conjecture, but is it fair to assume a new latch is NOT required if you do not have a wiring harness installed (why would it be?? KIA's instructions are not clear on this point but OEM and third party hitches would be more or less equivalent so it must be wiring harness related).

A question would be if the latch replacement only applies to those with power liftgate, however, Kia's letter did not indicate that so it must apply to manual liftgate as well. What I do not know is if the manual and power liftgates share the same latch but I would assume so.

 

[rd98ac]

So I contacted my local Kia dealership regarding the letter sent out August 31st 2023 regarding the harness, tailgate and hitch part numbers from Kia Corporate. The parts manager at our dealership had no idea what I was talking about nor had they received any memos or letters of the same. I'm in Canada and the parts manager was very clear to me that Kia Canada is different than Kia US. We do tow very different things up here in Canada and our Tellurides have snow mobile treads on them.

Any others in this forum from Canada with the same experience?

I did forward the letter posted on this forum to my parts manager after they asked for it, I'll let you know what they are able to find out. Kia should open a new Kia Self-Serve portal.

 

[rd98ac]

So I contacted my local Kia dealership regarding the letter sent out August 31st 2023 regarding the harness, tailgate and hitch part numbers from Kia Corporate. The parts manager at our dealership had no idea what I was talking about nor had they received any memos or letters of the same. I'm in Canada and the parts manager was very clear to me that Kia Canada is different than Kia US. We do tow very different things up here in Canada and our Tellurides have snow mobile treads on them.

Any others in this forum from Canada with the same experience?

I did forward the letter posted on this forum to my parts manager after they asked for it, I'll let you know what they are able to find out. Kia should open a new Kia Self-Serve portal.

For those of us in Canada here is an update I received from our parts manager:

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[Lionbreath]

I’m very curious about the need for a Latch (Power) Assembly. My concern is that the trailer wiring harness plug-in may alter the power latch functionality; hence why the latch assembly is included or recommended with the trailer hitch assembly.

 

[Jadsam]

Hi. I am writing from Winnipeg,Canada. I purchased an X-Pro 2024 Telluride recently and need a hitch and wiring assembly desperately for a trip I have planned leaving October 11. The dealer here says Kia will be providing the assembly kits for 2024, but they have no firm information from KIA as to when. A post on this forum from September 4, 2023 says someone in Canada has already received a kit. Another post dated more recently says their dealer in Canada says they are not yet available. Has anyone in Canada received one, and if so can they please provide the pertinent part numbers, dealer name and location and confirmation they were successfully installed. Alternatively, are they available in the U.S., and again I would ask for the pertinent information to be provided so I can contact the dealer/parts supplier. If necessary I will order from the U.S. and pay for it to be air shipped to me. Thanks

 

[Jadsam]

Also, with respect to my last post, at this point I am not fussy that I get OEM parts. Can anyone identify aftermarket hitch and wiring harness manufacturer and parts numbers that would work for my X-Pro? My local hitch installer says the X-Pro has LED taillights and that hitches designed for other models of the Telluride that don’t have conventional lights will not work.

 

[lcornice]

I’m very curious about the need for a Latch (Power) Assembly. My concern is that the trailer wiring harness plug-in may alter the power latch functionality; hence why the latch assembly is included or recommended with the trailer hitch assembly.

I did the install the other night and towed my 2-axle trailer (with brakes) yesterday. I have the Curt Echo bluetooth brake controller, which is a holdover from my Highlander. Everything worked perfectly, including the brake controller. I have no idea what the latch does, but I will say with the trailer attached, I did not get warning chimes, lights, or auto braking while backing it up. On my Highlander, I had to manually disable all the systems, otherwise the vehicle would do all sorts of unsavory things. WRT the latch with trailer attached, I have no idea. It worked just fine so I have no idea what the modified part actually does.

Overall, really happy with the install and performance; while everything only weighed 2,000 pounds I thought the Telluride handled quite well. Still not sure what auto-leveling does because it was squatted just a bit.

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[Lionbreath]

I did the install the other night and towed my 2-axle trailer (with brakes) yesterday. I have the Curt Echo bluetooth brake controller, which is a holdover from my Highlander. Everything worked perfectly, including the brake controller. I have no idea what the latch does, but I will say with the trailer attached, I did not get warning chimes, lights, or auto braking while backing it up. On my Highlander, I had to manually disable all the systems, otherwise the vehicle would do all sorts of unsavory things. WRT the latch with trailer attached, I have no idea. It worked just fine so I have no idea what the modified part actually does.

Overall, really happy with the install and performance; while everything only weighed 2,000 pounds I thought the Telluride handled quite well. Still not sure what auto-leveling does because it was squatted just a bit.

Thanks, Icornice, for your post. I read in another forum that the replacement latch prevents the rear hatch from opening in case of a rear end collision with the tow hitch installed. According to the post an explaination of this is supposed to be in Parts Bulletin #MI-23-31: however, I'm unable to find it on the web and there is noting on the NTSB site.

 

[CA2FL]

I did the install the other night and towed my 2-axle trailer (with brakes) yesterday. I have the Curt Echo bluetooth brake controller, which is a holdover from my Highlander. Everything worked perfectly, including the brake controller. I have no idea what the latch does, but I will say with the trailer attached, I did not get warning chimes, lights, or auto braking while backing it up. On my Highlander, I had to manually disable all the systems, otherwise the vehicle would do all sorts of unsavory things. WRT the latch with trailer attached, I have no idea. It worked just fine so I have no idea what the modified part actually does.

Overall, really happy with the install and performance; while everything only weighed 2,000 pounds I thought the Telluride handled quite well. Still not sure what auto-leveling does because it was squatted just a bit.

Can you share what panels you had to remove to install the latch? How difficult was it? The tow hitch weighs a ton and I have two sore arms from the installation.

 

[lcornice]

Can you share what panels you had to remove to install the latch? How difficult was it? The tow hitch weighs a ton and I have two sore arms from the installation.

Here's the video I used. Scroll to the 7:30 mark. It was crazy easy. Maybe 15 minutes?

 

[spartang]

Also, with respect to my last post, at this point I am not fussy that I get OEM parts. Can anyone identify aftermarket hitch and wiring harness manufacturer and parts numbers that would work for my X-Pro? My local hitch installer says the X-Pro has LED taillights and that hitches designed for other models of the Telluride that don’t have conventional lights will not work.

eTrailer looks to be the best bet for aftermarket; reviews speak to the issues w/ 2023 models and the videos look to cover additional info. It looks like we can get the kit here in the US installed for just over $1000. eTrailer is just over $500 self installed. No mention of the new latch assembly in any of the eTrailer reviews, so really not sure what the pro or con is.

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[Pigdog]

My OEM hitch/Wiring install has worked flawlessly. No brake controller yet but all other functions work correctly. I had issues with the emergency braking activating when I backed and turned at the same time (trailer approached the bumper on the turn) but found out I did not have the plug fully inserted. Once that was fixed no more problems! Those worried about the hatch latch functionality...no problem so far.

 

[G-235823]

My OEM hitch/Wiring install has worked flawlessly. No brake controller yet but all other functions work correctly. I had issues with the emergency braking activating when I backed and turned at the same time (trailer approached the bumper on the turn) but found out I did not have the plug fully inserted. Once that was fixed no more problems! Those worried about the hatch latch functionality...no problem so far.

latch problem is only a possibility when you are in a wreck from the rear .

 

[ddrotts]

Just got an email from KIA America saying that a tow hitch kit is available for 2023 and 2024 Tellurides (we have 2023). Two questions. One is that it says that the tailgate latch assembly will have to be replaced, and two is that there is no explicit mention of wiring. Anyone know if wiring is part of this package? Thanks

 

[Deb in Bailey]

Just got an email from KIA America saying that a tow hitch kit is available for 2023 and 2024 Tellurides (we have 2023). Two questions. One is that it says that the tailgate latch assembly will have to be replaced, and two is that there is no explicit mention of wiring. Anyone know if wiring is part of this package? Thanks

Yes, the wiring and 7 pin are available. They are part of the full hitch kit. And, yes, the tailgate latch assembly has to be replaced. It's also part of the kit.

See the memo from Kia to dealers from August (posted multiple times on this forum) for info.

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[slim]

It is official!

 

[merlin309]

Does anyone know if the latch is available separately? Or a part number for it that I can try?

Did the Curt hitch with the OE wiring harness, but wondering if I should also do the latch... Anyone know the consequences of not replacing the latch?

Mark

 

[suspirium_puellarum]

Seems to me XLINE & XPRO buyers should receive this for free . . The vehicle is equipped for it...

 

[slim]

It was only an option you could order and pay for. The cost was reduced appropriately when our vehicle arrived sans trailer hitch package.