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

[Wee]

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

 

[2020Telly]

Am super disappointed and my dealer DOES NOT recommend any after market packages and have told me they cannot install anything that would not void warranty on a 2023 model.

It sounds like the dealer doesn’t want to warranty their labor in installing an aftermarket hitch. They are misleading you if they are saying that a properly installed aftermarket hitch or wiring will void the vehicle warranty.

 

[kijkej]

OK, so I've already waited a year for a telly. I am upgrading from my car because I need something that can tow a camper and has 3 rows. I am not willing to wait another year or so for the hitch situation to be resolved. So I guess I should start looking for a different model suv? or can I order one without an OEM tow hitch and get it put on later?

 

[2020Telly]

OK, so I've already waited a year for a telly. I am upgrading from my car because I need something that can tow a camper and has 3 rows. I am not willing to wait another year or so for the hitch situation to be resolved. So I guess I should start looking for a different model suv? or can I order one without an OEM tow hitch and get it put on later?

If you are willing to compromise then there is an option. You can get the aftermarket 2020-2022 hitch receiver and it will work but will not be embedded in the bumper like the one designed for the 2023. Then with wiring you can have someone hardwire a universal 7-pin adapter and you just don’t use the wiring from Kia. See post #7 in this thread. Down the road you can swap it all for the Kia parts if you want. But yes, it seems that Kia started selling the 2023s before the advertised 2023 tow option and parts were ready. You might have trouble finding another midsized SUV with the space of the 3rd row in the Telluride.

Has anyone who has taken a delivery of a 2023 received the real 2023 tow option or tow package?

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[corsair]

If you are willing to compromise then there is an option. You can get the aftermarket 2020-2022 hitch receiver and it will work but will not be embedded in the bumper like the one designed for the 2023. Then with wiring you can have someone hardwire a universal 7-pin adapter and you just don’t use the wiring from Kia. See post #7 in this thread. Down the road you can swap it all for the Kia parts if you want. But yes, it seems that Kia started selling the 2023s before the advertised 2023 tow option and parts were ready. You might have trouble finding another midsized SUV with the space of the 3rd row in the Telluride.

Has anyone who has taken a delivery of a 2023 received the real 2023 tow option or tow package?

I’m getting the oem hitch sans harness. If I need a harness and the official isn’t available then I’ll do the tap into the taillight thing.
Just a reminder that the hitch itself may be available, just the harness is not.

 

[2020Telly]

I’m getting the oem hitch sans harness. If I need a harness and the official isn’t available then I’ll do the tap into the taillight thing.
Just a reminder that the hitch itself may be available, just the harness is not.

OEM 2020-2022 or OEM 2023 hitch? Do you know if they are the same part number? What are you doing about the bumper cover on the 2023 for the insert with the hitch?

 

[tdecurtins]

OEM 2020-2022 or OEM 2023 hitch? Do you know if they are the same part number? What are you doing about the bumper cover on the 2023 for the insert with the hitch?

The 22 oem hitch fits the 23. The problem is the non existent cover or harness

 

[corsair]

OEM 2020-2022 or OEM 2023 hitch? Do you know if they are the same part number? What are you doing about the bumper cover on the 2023 for the insert with the hitch?

Dealer told me that they would be getting hitches next week but of course not harnesses. I guess I assumed that meant it would include all things hitch related eg bumper plate but your question has me thinking and now a bit nervous.

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[2020Telly]

Dealer told me that they would be getting hitches next week but of course not harnesses. I guess I assumed that meant it would include all things hitch related eg bumper plate but your question has me thinking and now a bit nervous.

The dealer might be expecting you to drive around like this for a while.

Installing 2022 hitch on 2023 Telluride

I'm in the process of installing a OEM 2022 hitch on a 2023 Telluride. Following the manufacturers instructions, I tightened the carriage bolts on the passenger side before tightening the 19mm bolts on the driver side. When I went to tighten the 19mm bolts, I noticed a gap between the hitch and...

tellurideforum.org

 

[corsair]

The dealer might be expecting you to drive around like this for a while.

Installing 2022 hitch on 2023 Telluride

I'm in the process of installing a OEM 2022 hitch on a 2023 Telluride. Following the manufacturers instructions, I tightened the carriage bolts on the passenger side before tightening the 19mm bolts on the driver side. When I went to tighten the 19mm bolts, I noticed a gap between the hitch and...

tellurideforum.org

Those pics are super helpful. I would hope the dealer would tell me that sort of thing. It’s not the absolute worst but it’s not great. I have a question out but it takes a couple of days to hear back and with Christmas and all… they could do it before I find out. Maybe this will be good news for us all. Or bad news for me. I’ll update here.


How confident are we that when a cover comes out it will fit over the ‘22 hitch?

 

[2020Telly]

How confident are we that when a cover comes out it will fit over the ‘22 hitch?

From what I see the existing cover could be trimmed to match what was visible on the 2023 in the car show picture here:

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

Hi all! Former 2022 and and now new 2023 SX-P owner here! I wanted to add some hard data to the 2023 Towing Hitch saga. I only know this because my 2022 was totaled by an F150 about 2 weeks ago, and I managed to jump on a 2023 SX-P X-Pro. Here's what I can add for you: 1. It appears by all...

tellurideforum.org

 

[G-705543]

It is unbelievable that they have not come up with a solution to factory tow yet! We have placed a $1000 non refundable deposit and are now stuck waiting indefinitely. I do not want to hassle with an aftermarket tow. Kia needs to get their act together. It has been 4 months now since the recall, they have two new trims touting the towing and off-road capabilities, they need to bring the tow hitch and wiring harness to market!!!

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[Breiner83]

I bought my 2023 Telluride SX X-Pro a few weeks ago with the assumption (based on Kia Brochures, Kia YouTube, and Kia ads) that the Telluride would tow. As it is equipped and sold by Kia it does not. The dealer did not know that Kia did not have an approved OEM tow bar/hitch receiver and they had to research what (IF any) could be installed on the Telluride.

That being said. I love the SUV. Its ride, technology, and features are impressive. And now that I have a tow hitch receiver on the SUV I can confirm it tows great. (I have a 21ft center console with total tow weight of ~ 4,200 lbs) Tow Bar: DrawTite 76420 I know the dealer had to get "creative" with the wiring harness. They did a very good job installing all wires properly (brake power pin was the only one not powered as the X-pro does not have an electric brake controller.)

My primary complaint is that the receiver sits below the bumper as I was assuming the receiver would sit within the bumper as it does with the 2022. To resolve the low receiver, I am using a 3 1/4" ball mount riser.

Due to Kia not being prepared to sell its own SUV. I would only have this installed at a dealer. I want to make sure that Kia is on the hook if there is ever an issue with this receiver and setup. I have installed every other tow bar on every prior car, truck, and van that I have owned. I would only have Kia install the Tow Bar on this SUV.

One Note: Every time you start the car, you have to deactivate all of the Parking Safety features to back up the trailer.

Good Luck

Hey there,
What is the dry weight of your trailer? is it the 4200 or less or more. Thank you

 

[tyger23]

I finished installing the etrailer branded hitch today. Mostly went smooth, except for one bolt hole that had a lot of slag in it. The bolts over the muffler are a pain to get to.

Here’s the cut out that netted me good results if you’re also going for the etrailer hitch (8.75” from each edge and 3” deep):

 

[tyger23]

To be clear - I’m still waiting on the wiring harness. No update there. But at least I can use my bike carrier again.

 

[Maureenk]

After waiting since February 2022 for an EX and not getting one by the end of the model year, we ordered a2023 X-Pro. We want this vehicle specifically for towing. Due to the lack of harness and tow hitch, I gave up my X-Pro that was delivered just before Christmas. Very frustrating. I cannot believe that Kia could think of selling this model without tow hitch and harness. Glad I had a refundable deposit. We are going to likely buy a used Pilot for the short term. Prices on used AWD vehicles has really plummeted since Jan 2022 when we started looking.

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[corsair]

Well, after much waiting and diving in on the dealer side to try to find out the hitch story the car was shipped before I could confirm the hitch / bumper plate via pictures so I guess I'll update when I get the car early next week on what I ended up with. It's possible (1) it has no hitch installed (2) it has the 2022 hitch installed with a custom cut bumper plate (3) there's a magical 2023 part.

It's also possible there's a non-OEM hitch or there's just no bumper plate, but I think those are exceedingly unlikely given my communication with them.

 

[2020Telly]

Well, after much waiting and diving in on the dealer side to try to find out the hitch story the car was shipped before I could confirm the hitch / bumper plate via pictures so I guess I'll update when I get the car early next week on what I ended up with. It's possible (1) it has no hitch installed (2) it has the 2022 hitch installed with a custom cut bumper plate (3) there's a magical 2023 part.

It's also possible there's a non-OEM hitch or there's just no bumper plate, but I think those are exceedingly unlikely given my communication with them.

If you didn’t specifically ask for a tow hitch and harness and it isn’t listed on your window sticker then you likely have #1. Looking at all the 2023 window stickers I can find, there are none listed. They all say tow mode. Not tow package and not tow option.

 

[corsair]

If you didn’t specifically ask for a tow hitch and harness if it isn’t listed on your window sticker then you have 1. Looking at all the 2023 window stickers I can find there are none listed. They all say tow mode. Not tow package and not tow option.

It's not on the window sticker, and I was told the hitch was installed. However, I haven't received confirmation after install so one possibility is they went to install it and realized they couldn't get it to work after all despite all the investigation. So I don't necessarily think it's option 1. This is, of course, after it got to the dealer, so not on the window sticker.

For more background, at one point I was told hitches weren't available yet, then I was told they were coming in, then I was told they didn't have any and need to investigate, which took some time. Then I was told it was getting installed at that moment and would get pictures after, then I found out via Montway my car was picked up. Thus, I'll find out when I get it?

 

[tdecurtins]

Well, after much waiting and diving in on the dealer side to try to find out the hitch story the car was shipped before I could confirm the hitch / bumper plate via pictures so I guess I'll update when I get the car early next week on what I ended up with. It's possible (1) it has no hitch installed (2) it has the 2022 hitch installed with a custom cut bumper plate (3) there's a magical 2023 part.

It's also possible there's a non-OEM hitch or there's just no bumper plate, but I think those are exceedingly unlikely given my communication with them.

If you didn't specifically pay for a hitch then you won't get one. It doesn't come with the tow package