Installing 2022 hitch on 2023 Telluride

[2020Telly]

Woops, my bad didn't see you mention that earlier. It is just so strange that Kia has plastered all over their marketing materials that the X-Pro can tow an extra 500 lbs with a dedicated tow mode and yet no hitch and VERY poor communication regarding the ETA of said hitch.

The marketing is selling you specs. Real world application is the consumer’s problem after the sale.

 

[G-528388]

I got my 2023 X Line 4 weeks ago, and still have not received any explanation as to when I will get an answer on the hitch availability. Its pretty damn frustrating. I was also told it would come with a hitch installed from the factory.

 

[lonnydanler]

I recently bought a 2023 SX X-Pro AWD. Running into same issues and silliness. Was going to have a custom one welded on and have the place do my trailer breaks too like they did with my 2020 Telly but didn't like how it would sit below the bumper so much so going back to factory which I ordered early December. Apparently they have the cover plate in stock but wiring assembly still on backorder. I'm also not happy that they quoted 4 hours of labor (almost $1k) in addition to the parts. Pretty lame for an otherwise great car.

 

[corsair]

I checked with my local dealership service department and they have seen gaps between the hitch and frame before. Their installer said that sometimes he puts washers between the hitch and frame so that is what I did.

I removed the two through bolts on the driver side and added some washers between the hitch bracket and frame as seen in these photos. Photos of the overall hitch installation also attached.

They brought out a hitch cover for the previous year and we confirmed that it definitely does not fit this bumper.

If anyone is willing to do this, I'm curious to know what the distance is from the inside to the inside of your frame at the hitch. As shown in the photo, the distance on mine is about 39.5". This photo was taken from the front, or driver side, of the hitch bracket and measured from inside to inside on the frame.

I’ll be getting my vehicle early next week with the hitch and no bumper plate.

Were you able to make any sort of reasonable looking cover using the removed bumper piece?

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[hlipham]

I’ll be getting my vehicle early next week with the hitch and no bumper plate.

Were you able to make any sort of reasonable looking cover using the removed bumper piece?

I have not tried to make a cover yet, but I probably will at some point.

 

[2020Telly]

I’ll be getting my vehicle early next week with the hitch and no bumper plate.

Were you able to make any sort of reasonable looking cover using the removed bumper piece?

Check out this post:

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

All of this type of nonsense has me moving considering more and more each day walking away from my 2023 order and getting a new Pilot. Kia is ridiculous with their shenanigans

tellurideforum.org

 

[corsair]

Check out this post:

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

All of this type of nonsense has me moving considering more and more each day walking away from my 2023 order and getting a new Pilot. Kia is ridiculous with their shenanigans

tellurideforum.org

I saw that, but the wiring harness mount on the oem hitch seems like it would make a clean trim way trickier. I’ll know more when I get it I guess. But I also am not sure I’ll be able to get my original bumper piece back!

 

[John Jacobsen]

I’ll be getting my vehicle early next week with the hitch and no bumper plate.

Were you able to make any sort of reasonable looking cover using the removed bumper piece?

Thought I should chime in on this topic after following this forum closely for a few months regarding the hitch and wiring issues. I have a 23 SX Ltd (Canada) that replaces my 2016 Pilot. I have it to tow my boat. I use a 7-pin harness. The dealer sold me a hitch package in the deal. I mentioned I heard of issues with 2023 hitch package availability but they insisted the 2022 package would fit. Brought it to the dealer and they installed the factory hitch and gave it back to me with no cover on the back (looked like sh**) and no wiring installed. They said the cover and harness were "on order" and they would get me back in when they arrive. I asked for the original filler panel back so I could modify it to make clearance for the hitch which I did (see attached photo). It's a kinda rough job using a Dremel but it looks fine for now. If I end up having it on long term I'll remove it and tidy up the cuts. Looks better than a missing panel on the rear fascia!
Read on this forum there was a P/N for a trailer wiring harness for a 23 Palisade. I have an order with my Hyundai dealer. The P/N I ordered is S8F67-AC800 that came from another post on this forum (thanks for the info). Don't know if this will be a solution or not, but I thought I would let it play out to see what happens. I have until spring until I need to tow, but the way this is going makes me think we'll still be looking for a solution from Kia at that time.
Also, I have a case number with Kia Canada on this and I'm disappointed to say the follow-up has been non-existent. I have called then twice to follow up (30-60 minutes on hold each time) they have my info and keep saying they will call me back but they never do. I updated my case with the info on the harness part I ordered - crickets... I'm going to get back on them again this week to get a status report. Not optimistic. At this point I'm probably going to be stuck with an aftermarket harness installation, or maybe the Hyundai harness can be adapted. I'll post again if I have any other news! Good luck everyone with your trailer hitch / wiring / cover issues.

Oh yeah - by the way, I do love my Telluride!

______________________________

 

[corsair]

Thought I should chime in on this topic after following this forum closely for a few months regarding the hitch and wiring issues. I have a 23 SX Ltd (Canada) that replaces my 2016 Pilot. I have it to tow my boat. I use a 7-pin harness. The dealer sold me a hitch package in the deal. I mentioned I heard of issues with 2023 hitch package availability but they insisted the 2022 package would fit. Brought it to the dealer and they installed the factory hitch and gave it back to me with no cover on the back (looked like sh**) and no wiring installed. They said the cover and harness were "on order" and they would get me back in when they arrive. I asked for the original filler panel back so I could modify it to make clearance for the hitch which I did (see attached photo). It's a kinda rough job using a Dremel but it looks fine for now. If I end up having it on long term I'll remove it and tidy up the cuts. Looks better than a missing panel on the rear fascia!
Read on this forum there was a P/N for a trailer wiring harness for a 23 Palisade. I have an order with my Hyundai dealer. The P/N I ordered is S8F67-AC800 that came from another post on this forum (thanks for the info). Don't know if this will be a solution or not, but I thought I would let it play out to see what happens. I have until spring until I need to tow, but the way this is going makes me think we'll still be looking for a solution from Kia at that time.
Also, I have a case number with Kia Canada on this and I'm disappointed to say the follow-up has been non-existent. I have called then twice to follow up (30-60 minutes on hold each time) they have my info and keep saying they will call me back but they never do. I updated my case with the info on the harness part I ordered - crickets... I'm going to get back on them again this week to get a status report. Not optimistic. At this point I'm probably going to be stuck with an aftermarket harness installation, or maybe the Hyundai harness can be adapted. I'll post again if I have any other news! Good luck everyone with your trailer hitch / wiring / cover issues.

Oh yeah - by the way, I do love my Telluride!

That looks better than no cover. Thank you so much for posting this. Would be nice to get some dimensions. Looks like it could be dialed in closer but this whole thing is ludicrous.

I wonder if my local body shop would do this? Not sure what type of person I could pay to do a clean job on this.

I really hope the dealer left the filler panel in the vehicle. If not, I wonder if I could expect them to pay for a replacement.

They are telling me they should have the 2023 plates in a couple weeks but I suspect they are purely guessing.

 

[John Jacobsen]

That looks better than no cover. Thank you so much for posting this. Would be nice to get some dimensions. Looks like it could be dialed in closer but this whole thing is ludicrous.

I wonder if my local body shop would do this? Not sure what type of person I could pay to do a clean job on this.

I really hope the dealer left the filler panel in the vehicle. If not, I wonder if I could expect them to pay for a replacement.

They are telling me they should have the 2023 plates in a couple weeks but I suspect they are purely guessing.

I had to trim additional plastic off the panel to provide clearance to slide it in to place over the hitch receiver and the plate for the safety chains below the receiver. Also, I'll have to remove it and trim some more to clear the harness plug - once I have it in place and I know how much to trim. If I end up having to keep the panel I will remove it, make the necessary mods and clean up the opening (radius the corners etc.) I'll post some more info then.

My dealer gave me the car back without the trim piece. I had to call then go back and pick it up. Their comment was "what for? It doesn't fit anyways..." but I was not willing to drive around with a big chunk of the rear fascia missing on my brand new Telluride! I'm going to check with my dealer for an update on the panel this week.

 

[PittPa]

Thought I should chime in on this topic after following this forum closely for a few months regarding the hitch and wiring issues. I have a 23 SX Ltd (Canada) that replaces my 2016 Pilot. I have it to tow my boat. I use a 7-pin harness. The dealer sold me a hitch package in the deal. I mentioned I heard of issues with 2023 hitch package availability but they insisted the 2022 package would fit. Brought it to the dealer and they installed the factory hitch and gave it back to me with no cover on the back (looked like sh**) and no wiring installed. They said the cover and harness were "on order" and they would get me back in when they arrive. I asked for the original filler panel back so I could modify it to make clearance for the hitch which I did (see attached photo). It's a kinda rough job using a Dremel but it looks fine for now. If I end up having it on long term I'll remove it and tidy up the cuts. Looks better than a missing panel on the rear fascia!
Read on this forum there was a P/N for a trailer wiring harness for a 23 Palisade. I have an order with my Hyundai dealer. The P/N I ordered is S8F67-AC800 that came from another post on this forum (thanks for the info). Don't know if this will be a solution or not, but I thought I would let it play out to see what happens. I have until spring until I need to tow, but the way this is going makes me think we'll still be looking for a solution from Kia at that time.
Also, I have a case number with Kia Canada on this and I'm disappointed to say the follow-up has been non-existent. I have called then twice to follow up (30-60 minutes on hold each time) they have my info and keep saying they will call me back but they never do. I updated my case with the info on the harness part I ordered - crickets... I'm going to get back on them again this week to get a status report. Not optimistic. At this point I'm probably going to be stuck with an aftermarket harness installation, or maybe the Hyundai harness can be adapted. I'll post again if I have any other news! Good luck everyone with your trailer hitch / wiring / cover issues.

Oh yeah - by the way, I do love my Telluride!

It looks good. And it sits so low, no one will notice much unless they are kneeling with a light to inspect it. I have mentioned this before but if you carefully drill where the the 90 degree angles are and then make your cuts to this location, you can avoid the sharp angles which give it more of a DIY look. I did this and used sandpaper to finish it. It's impossible to improve the corners by making them a smooth radius without re-cutting everything and making the opening even bigger.

 

[tellyourride]

Someone should initiate a lawsuit for false advertising with vehicle towing capability which is non existent months after releasing the vehicle.

______________________________

 

[Nac]

I think they advertise Towing Capacity not Capability.....

 

[Slack Attack]

Thought I should chime in on this topic after following this forum closely for a few months regarding the hitch and wiring issues. I have a 23 SX Ltd (Canada) that replaces my 2016 Pilot. I have it to tow my boat. I use a 7-pin harness. The dealer sold me a hitch package in the deal. I mentioned I heard of issues with 2023 hitch package availability but they insisted the 2022 package would fit. Brought it to the dealer and they installed the factory hitch and gave it back to me with no cover on the back (looked like sh**) and no wiring installed. They said the cover and harness were "on order" and they would get me back in when they arrive. I asked for the original filler panel back so I could modify it to make clearance for the hitch which I did (see attached photo). It's a kinda rough job using a Dremel but it looks fine for now. If I end up having it on long term I'll remove it and tidy up the cuts. Looks better than a missing panel on the rear fascia!
Read on this forum there was a P/N for a trailer wiring harness for a 23 Palisade. I have an order with my Hyundai dealer. The P/N I ordered is S8F67-AC800 that came from another post on this forum (thanks for the info). Don't know if this will be a solution or not, but I thought I would let it play out to see what happens. I have until spring until I need to tow, but the way this is going makes me think we'll still be looking for a solution from Kia at that time.
Also, I have a case number with Kia Canada on this and I'm disappointed to say the follow-up has been non-existent. I have called then twice to follow up (30-60 minutes on hold each time) they have my info and keep saying they will call me back but they never do. I updated my case with the info on the harness part I ordered - crickets... I'm going to get back on them again this week to get a status report. Not optimistic. At this point I'm probably going to be stuck with an aftermarket harness installation, or maybe the Hyundai harness can be adapted. I'll post again if I have any other news! Good luck everyone with your trailer hitch / wiring / cover issues.

Oh yeah - by the way, I do love my Telluride!

This looks so good, I'll probably just do this with mine if there are no hitches available by April. Well done!

 

[corsair]

I will try this as well if the dealer sends me the piece they threw out.

That said, it looks much less heinous in person due to the low height and somewhat obscured angle.

 

[corsair]

I will try this as well if the dealer sends me the piece they threw out.

That said, it looks much less heinous in person due to the low height and somewhat obscured angle.

Not super obvious, could be improved a bit short term by painting the clips black. But with a hacked up bumper plate then I would be happy enough even long-term.

______________________________

 

[AkayV]

Woops, my bad didn't see you mention that earlier. It is just so strange that Kia has plastered all over their marketing materials that the X-Pro can tow an extra 500 lbs with a dedicated tow mode and yet no hitch and VERY poor communication regarding the ETA of said hitch.

I got scammed when bought a 2023 Telluride for towing a Class III trailer. Anyone know a lawyer to contact? Sometimes suing is necessary for corporations to be ethical and law-abiding.

 

[AkayV]

The marketing is selling you specs. Real world application is the consumer’s problem after the sale.

Any lawyers reading?
I too got scammed when bought a 2023 Telluride for towing a Class III trailer. Anyone know a lawyer to contact? Sometimes suing is necessary for corporations to be ethical and law-abiding.

 

[2020Telly]

Any lawyers reading?
I too got scammed when bought a 2023 Telluride for towing a Class III trailer. Anyone know a lawyer to contact? Sometimes suing is necessary for corporations to be ethical and law-abiding.

To my knowledge Kia never had a tow hitch and harness on a 2023 window sticker. The tow option like previous years was never added to a 2023. It only says tow mode on the x-Line and x-Pro which it does deliver and that is what you paid for. There are other vehicles in this class that also advertise towing capability but rely on aftermarket options. If you look at the early 2019 ads they were towing something and in fine print it said “aftermarket parts required” before the hitch became available. They also give you roof rails that are capable of up to 220lbs but it’s up to you to get the crossbars either from Kia for over $200 or equivalent aftermarket for under $200 or really expensive low profile aftermarket.

I don’t know that Kia did anything unethical or against the law unless they lied on a window sticker. The awareness and training of the sales people at the dealership could have been better but that’s not illegal.

I wish you luck but I just don’t see it. I had to wait a couple months into 2019 before I could tow because there weren’t even suitable aftermarket bolt ons that would work. So technically you are better off than the very first Telluride owners because you have options.

 

[AkayV]

To my knowledge Kia never had a tow hitch and harness on a 2023 window sticker. The tow option like previous years was never added to a 2023. It only says tow mode on the x-Line and x-Pro which it does deliver and that is what you paid for. There are other vehicles in this class that also advertise towing capability but rely on aftermarket options. If you look at the early 2019 ads they were towing something and in fine print it said “aftermarket parts required” before the hitch became available. They also give you roof rails that are capable of up to 220lbs but it’s up to you to get the crossbars either from Kia for over $200 or equivalent aftermarket for under $200 or really expensive low profile aftermarket.

I don’t know that Kia did anything unethical or against the law unless they lied on a window sticker. The awareness and training of the sales people at the dealership could have been better but that’s not illegal.

I wish you luck but I just don’t see it. I had to wait a couple months into 2019 before I could tow because there weren’t even suitable aftermarket bolt ons that would work. So technically you are better off than the very first Telluride owners because you have options.

This was also the thought before any cigarette and lung cancer lawsuits came about, before any asbestos lawsuits came about, before cars that motor caught on fire. Granted this is not a health issue but definitely unethical and public needs to be aware of these unethical practices.