The 2023 Towing Saga Part 2 - Finally good news!

[Sqrob]

UPDATE: I have found a trailer with a 7 blade connector and tested my install. Everything is working fine!

Apparently the little hopkins adapter I bought does not have enough "load" for the Telluride to accept it and it thinks a bulb or wire is burnt out. Now I know! I was able to test it with a real trailer and each light works great.

Interesting information, thanks for sharing!

 

[sgrand_55]

There is info in this conversation (and maybe another or two) on this forum.

I quoted the above from earlier post with the new hitch/harness/latch kit that is now available for MY2023 and pre Oct MY2024. You can find the memo that went to dealers about the parts and pieces - posted in late August in this conversation.

I had the entire kit installed yesterday and my part numbers are the same as above:
S9F61 AU100CCC - Tow Hitch Kit (hitch, cover, bumper cover)
S9F67 AC701CCC - Tow Hitch Harness
I don't have the number for the power latch assembly, but it was part of the kit they installed per the Kia memo that went to dealers.

Is anyone having any luck getting their hands on these parts for a 2023? Or the Kia packaged kit part number: S9TOW-POWER/MANUA? I have called 2 different Kia dealers and neither can order for me. They claim to be out of stock and on a national backorder. FYI, my local dealer quoted $801 for the kit and installation (if they ever get parts). They could not give me a price for the kit alone and excluding install.

Do I just need to keep calling other dealers or are these truly out of stock nation wide? Is a person better off waiting for aftermarket copies of the OEM kits?

Thanks for any insight.

 

[16sail]

Is anyone having any luck getting their hands on these parts for a 2023? Or the Kia packaged kit part number: S9TOW-POWER/MANUA? I have called 2 different Kia dealers and neither can order for me. They claim to be out of stock and on a national backorder. FYI, my local dealer quoted $801 for the kit and installation (if they ever get parts). They could not give me a price for the kit alone and excluding install.

Do I just need to keep calling other dealers or are these truly out of stock nation wide? Is a person better off waiting for aftermarket copies of the OEM kits?

Thanks for any insight.

Most dealers and parts folks I spoke with couldn’t source the parts even with part numbers and my vin

I called KIA.PARTS (855-363-8801 | support@kia.parts) and they shipped it out in two days. They seemed very knowledgeable about the situation and the specific parts required. I don’t know the details, but it felt like they had an angle that other’s didn’t or hadn’t figured out.

 

[merlin309]

UPDATE: I have found a trailer with a 7 blade connector and tested my install. Everything is working fine!

Apparently the little hopkins adapter I bought does not have enough "load" for the Telluride to accept it and it thinks a bulb or wire is burnt out. Now I know! I was able to test it with a real trailer and each light works great.

After seeing your message, I realized that I forgot to mention that my 7 pin - 4 pin adapter has little LED's that light up when the circuit is active. That must be providing that extra little load that you are missing!

______________________________

 

[Jaesunel]

So.... I picked up a '24 SX X Pro on 11-2 and paid $895 to have the dealer install the tow hitch. I was told this would be done with OEM parts. I picked up the car and noticed that a Curt hitch was installed with a hand notched trim panel and a 4-pin connector. I was reassured this was the KIA OEM hitch, which it is clearly not. I want to go back to the dealership and demand the OEM parts be installed but want to make sure I have the part #'s correct. How do I know if my vehicle requires the new latch?

To follow up on this, I just got back from the Dealer and they have ordered the parts to install the factory hitch. They said 2-3 days, so we'll see. They also replaced the driver's side floor mat to fix a giant lump and ordered an X-pro badge as mine came with and X-Line badge for some reason. ...to be continued

 

[McMoo]

The kit with hitch, wiring, latch and trim piece is now S9F61-AU100CCC according to my dealer. It arrived today and getting installed soon. $880 installed.

 

[KGRILL]

Hello all,

I just received an email from Kia that tow hitch kits for 2023 and early 2024 Tellurides are now available.

Does anyone know what Kia is charging for parts and installation?

Thanks

 

[Sqrob]

Hello all,

I just received an email from Kia that tow hitch kits for 2023 and early 2024 Tellurides are now available.

Does anyone know what Kia is charging for parts and installation?

Thanks

Kia US or Canada?

______________________________

 

[dwb913]

Ho

i think thats a hitch cover for the 1st gen tellurides. 2020-22 heres a pic from earlier in this thread of a factory installed hitch cover and its the same shape as the 23s

View attachment 31819

How much was the cover and harness?

 

[2020Telly]

Ho

How much was the cover and harness?

If your 2023/2024 Telluride was produced after October 6, 2023, this may be what you are looking for: S9F61-AU100CCC (MSRP $478) + S9F67AC701CCC (MSRP $198)
appears to include:

• TOW HITCH S9F61AU100CCC (may include BUMPER COVER S9F61AU760)
• HARNESS (7PIN) S9F67AC700CCC or S9F67AC701CCC

If you have a 2023/2024 produced before October 6, 2023, then you also need a replacement latch and the part numbers may be as follows:

LX and S with manual tailgate: S9TOW-MANUA
appears to include:

• TOW HITCH S9F61AU100CCC (may include BUMPER COVER S9F61AU760)
• HARNESS (7PIN) S9F67AC700CCC or S9F67AC701CCC
• LATCH (MANUAL) 81800S9500CCC (free from dealer?)

EX and SX with power tailgate: S9TOW-POWER
appears to include:

• TOW HITCH S9F61AU100CCC (may include BUMPER COVER S9F61AU760)
• HARNESS (7PIN) S9F67AC700CCC or S9F67AC701CCC
• LATCH (POWER) 81800S9600CCC (free from dealer?)

I have not seen the cover S9F61AU760 advertised as a standalone part, but I'm sure it's coming once they clear the backlog of the people waiting for the full OEM option.

 

[OKHarley]

The kit with hitch, wiring, latch and trim piece is now S9F61-AU100CCC according to my dealer. It arrived today and getting installed soon. $880 installed.

Wow, I called my dealer and after talking to the parts and service departments to get quotes from both (parts and labor), I was quoted over $1,300. Have to admit, I'm very angry that I heard it's $575 to get one installed when you order it from the factory (which I tried to do last Dec. when I ordered my Telly) but since mine was ordered during the wiring harness recall, I get to pay hundreds of dollars more to have it done after the fact. I think Kia should be comping some of this expense to us and/or the installing dealer if we previously ordered a Telly with "tow mode". It's already been a very long wait to get it and paying significantly more is a big slap in the face.

 

[Cassdoe4]

Talked to Kia parts about tow parts for my 2024 Kia telluride, and they gave me these part numbers to order:

The hitch comes with a bumper cover and the hitch harness is what’s installed when ordered by the dealer. They said if my vin is one of the ones that requires latch replacement they will add it to the order free of charge. I’ll give an update after we get the parts delivered.

______________________________

 

[Deb in Bailey]

I think Kia should be comping some of this expense to us and/or the installing dealer if we previously ordered a Telly with "tow mode". It's already been a very long wait to get it and paying significantly more is a big slap in the face.

They did. Have you seen the memo sent to dealers in August with information about providing the hitches and harnesses to 2023 and early MY2024 owners who were not able to order a hitch to be port installed?

"To promote customer satisfaction, KUS will absorb the incremental cost of
the parts and labor for the Tailgate Latch Assembly (81800S9600CCC and
81800S9500CCC) from the 2022 MY DIO Tow Hitch for the affected vehicles for a limited
time."

"
2. Why is the Kit offered at a reduced price?
KUS has discounted the pricing to ensure customers get a similar pricing level to the 2022MY DIO
Tow Hitch installation despite the incremental Tailgate Latch labor and part cost. We ask all
dealers to pass on these discounts to customers and be conscientious that customer satisfaction
is key."

I don't know how long the reduced rates and such were to last.

The truth is, it has ALWAYS been more expensive to get things added at the dealer than to have them installed at the factory. The difference is that some of us didn't have the option to order them from the factory. It's still more expensive to have it done at the dealer, but Kia asked dealers to give reduced prices for a time.

Official from Kia to dealers. Sent out today

See this post #185 for the memo.

 

[OKHarley]

They did. Have you seen the memo sent to dealers in August with information about providing the hitches and harnesses to 2023 and early MY2024 owners who were not able to order a hitch to be port installed?

Thank you for that info, my dealer didn't mention this when I called.

 

[dwb913]

They did. Have you seen the memo sent to dealers in August with information about providing the hitches and harnesses to 2023 and early MY2024 owners who were not able to order a hitch to be port installed?

"To promote customer satisfaction, KUS will absorb the incremental cost of
the parts and labor for the Tailgate Latch Assembly (81800S9600CCC and
81800S9500CCC) from the 2022 MY DIO Tow Hitch for the affected vehicles for a limited
time."

"
2. Why is the Kit offered at a reduced price?
KUS has discounted the pricing to ensure customers get a similar pricing level to the 2022MY DIO
Tow Hitch installation despite the incremental Tailgate Latch labor and part cost. We ask all
dealers to pass on these discounts to customers and be conscientious that customer satisfaction
is key."

I don't know how long the reduced rates and such were to last.

The truth is, it has ALWAYS been more expensive to get things added at the dealer than to have them installed at the factory. The difference is that some of us didn't have the option to order them from the factory. It's still more expensive to have it done at the dealer, but Kia asked dealers to give reduced prices for a time.

See this post #185 for the memo.

I posted a bad review on tge dealers website, the BBB, NY states consumer affairs and yelp. I got $3000 back because they promised I could tow with my 23 telluride but can't because of the wiring dilemma

 

[KGRILL]

Was the $3000 refund from the dealership or from Kia America?

With regard to the tow hitch, I went to the dealer yesterday (Located in South Florida) to discuss installing the S9TOW-POWER kit into our 23 X Pro and the total cost was $1126 ($676 for parts and $450 for labor) plus tax. I tried to negotiate with them but that price was firm.

I showed them the internal memo from Kia America that they estimate installation time to be 1.84 hours and the dealer said that the time they identified is an estimate and the actual installation time is 2 1/2 hours at a $180 an hour labor charge.

Our daughter and son-in-law have a 2022 SX all-wheel-drive and they paid $795 for the towing package.

In my opinion, if Kia America was truly interested in maintaining positive customer relations, the kit would be sold for $795 which is likely what we would have paid if we were able to order it as a factory option even though I was told at the dealership that the towing package is not actually installed at the factory but rather at the "port" prior to being shipped to the dealer (If that is actually accurate information) and Kia would pay the dealer the labor charge for installation.

So essentially, having the kit installed now will cost an additional $350-$400.

It's an unfortunate situation but there are no options unless you go aftermarket which I am not inclined to do.

______________________________

 

[dwb913]

Was the $3000 refund from the dealership or from Kia America?

With regard to the tow hitch, I went to the dealer yesterday (Located in South Florida) to discuss installing the S9TOW-POWER kit into our 23 X Pro and the total cost was $1126 ($676 for parts and $450 for labor) plus tax. I tried to negotiate with them but that price was firm.

I showed them the internal memo from Kia America that they estimate installation time to be 1.84 hours and the dealer said that the time they identified is an estimate and the actual installation time is 2 1/2 hours at a $180 an hour labor charge.

Our daughter and son-in-law have a 2022 SX all-wheel-drive and they paid $795 for the towing package.

In my opinion, if Kia America was truly interested in maintaining positive customer relations, the kit would be sold for $795 which is likely what we would have paid if we were able to order it as a factory option even though I was told at the dealership that the towing package is not actually installed at the factory but rather at the "port" prior to being shipped to the dealer (If that is actually accurate information) and Kia would pay the dealer the labor charge for installation.

So essentially, having the kit installed now will cost an additional $350-$400.

It's an unfortunate situation but there are no options unless you go aftermarket which I am not inclined to do.

In my situation, since they promised I could tow with it but couldn't, they didn't want the bad reputation so the dealer gave me the 3 grand back. From what I know, since they had a problem with 21 and 22 telluride, the didn't install the harness on the 23. That's the problem. Now they've got a fix but I haven't gotten it yet

 

[KGRILL]

Thank you very much for responding to my post.

I am getting vicarious satisfaction from your successful efforts to be compensated for the false advertising and aggravation for Kia dropping the ball on this situation and not doing what I believe is necessary in order to maintain positive customer relations.

I am a New Yorker who currently lives in South Florida and am well aware that New York provides resources to resolve these types of issues so congratulations to you.

Take care

 

[McMoo]

Finally installed! $880 installed by HW Kia in St. Louis so not bad!

 

[KGRILL]

Congrats,

Looks cool

Great price