The 2023 Towing Saga Part 2 - Finally good news!

[don tujaka]

Tailgate Latch Issue. Thanks to all of you for all this information. I picked up my 2024 Telluride SX Prestige X-Line on Thursday, 9/31and have been researching hitch solutions for 2 weeks. I am amazed at how convoluted this topic is. Like many of you I would prefer to have the OEM solution since the bumper cover, should it be available, makes the package neater....AND.... the OEM wiring harness seems to be a much better integrated solution than something like the Tekonsha. This is especially true since I already have a wireless brake controller on my trailer (also a Tekonsha). Now, back to the Tailgate Latch issue.... What does it do???? I can imagine if I had the tailgate on my SX set to auto open mode... AND had a bike rack in the receiver...AND walked too close to the tailgate it would open into the bikerack and/or bikes. So, does this device prevent the tailgate latch from opening automatically and if so, would it prevent the tailgate from opening automatically all the time? I'm not sure I need that much protection. Have I missed something? Any ideas?

 

[MNBackpacker]

Ordered my hitch kit from dealership on Wed, got notified yesterday that it arrived. YIPPEE!

The only downside is the soonest they can get me in is the second week of Oct.
Oh well. I've waited this long, I'll wait to let the dealer install it. I'd rather any issues be on them.

 

[EyemJimmy]

Step 9 is to remove the foam that holds the jack. You can do this while pulling up slightly on the foam while simultaneously prying the D-pillar trim piece back. Here you can also see where I've highlighted the trailer wiring connector.

View attachment 30652

Your posts have been very informative. Thank you.
I recently purchased a 2024 Telluride.
I have since bought & received the wiring harness from Canada.
However, the plug from the wiring harness is larger than the trailer connector you highlighted above.
Has this issue been mentioned before?
If so, I haven't seen it & I can't be the only one.

Thanks in advance.

 

[steve-o]

Tailgate Latch Issue. Thanks to all of you for all this information. I picked up my 2024 Telluride SX Prestige X-Line on Thursday, 9/31and have been researching hitch solutions for 2 weeks. I am amazed at how convoluted this topic is. Like many of you I would prefer to have the OEM solution since the bumper cover, should it be available, makes the package neater....AND.... the OEM wiring harness seems to be a much better integrated solution than something like the Tekonsha. This is especially true since I already have a wireless brake controller on my trailer (also a Tekonsha). Now, back to the Tailgate Latch issue.... What does it do???? I can imagine if I had the tailgate on my SX set to auto open mode... AND had a bike rack in the receiver...AND walked too close to the tailgate it would open into the bikerack and/or bikes. So, does this device prevent the tailgate latch from opening automatically and if so, would it prevent the tailgate from opening automatically all the time? I'm not sure I need that much protection. Have I missed something? Any ideas?

I am also interested in the reasoning for the latch replacement. According to the letter from Kia,

"Model Year 2023 and early MY 2024 (produced before October 2023) Tellurides will require Tailgate Latch replacement when installing a Tow Hitch Kit to comply with testing standards."

The only thing I can think of is possibly rear collision testing.

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[TellmeyourWHAT?]

I am also interested in the reasoning for the latch replacement. According to the letter from Kia,

"Model Year 2023 and early MY 2024 (produced before October 2023) Tellurides will require Tailgate Latch replacement when installing a Tow Hitch Kit to comply with testing standards."

The only thing I can think of is possibly rear collision testing.

I think it might have something to do with the sensing of objects close aboard - like a bicycle rack - to where it disables the alarms and possibly prevents the tailgate opening.

But what do I know??

 

[bennyhanna]

You are getting some of the labor waived (along with the hatch latch).

Model Year 2023 and early MY 2024 (produced before October 2023) Tellurides will require Tailgate Latch replacement when installing a Tow Hitch Kit to comply with testing standards. 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.

Plus there is this .....

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.

So what does that reduced price look like? My dealer quoted me just north of $1100 for parts and installation. If this isn’t the discounted price what document or memo can I reference to make sure the price is what Kia Corp is telling their dealers?
TIA

 

[TellmeyourWHAT?]

So what does that reduced price look like? My dealer quoted me just north of $1100 for parts and installation. If this isn’t the discounted price what document or memo can I reference to make sure the price is what Kia Corp is telling their dealers?
TIA

Wow - that is HIGH. Others that I have seen (2) have reported total price of like $673.
As far as I know, there has been no documented price from KIA to the dealers, but we also have seen just this one memo that was reported a couple of days ago.
My advice would be for you to call different dealers and line up a price that is reasonable.

 

[skeetermx1825]

The reduced pricing mentioned read that the parts and extra install time specifically for the latch fix wouldnt be charged to the customer, so it matches the previous model year hitch price (how I understood it). When I ordered my 2023+ hitch kit I was told it was over $600, but there’s then a labor fee to install it which is why you’re likely seeing the $600+ and $1,000+ prices being posted, some are adding the labor, others aren’t ) instructions says it takes 2 hours to install…

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[don tujaka]

steve-o ....... thanks for the pics...was there also a little "black box" that gets mounted in the jack compartment and interfaces to the cable harness you are showing and the 7-pin connector?

 

[steve-o]

steve-o ....... thanks for the pics...was there also a little "black box" that gets mounted in the jack compartment and interfaces to the cable harness you are showing and the 7-pin connector?

Yes. It has the same part number as the american harness.

 

[corsair]

so are folks with the 2022 hitch installed ordering this full kit and donating the 2023 hitch?

At this point since I'm most likely just to "tow" a bike trailer, I'll probably just order the bumper plate as soon as that is released separately, although if the incremental cost of 2023 wiring harness was low enough I may do that for resale, although I doubt I'd recoup the costs for that purpose.

 

[Jamchampnate]

Just got mine done with all OEM parts at a kia dealership in Utah. Just over $1k installed. Looks great.

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[Pigdog]

Looks like the same hitch as before. Very nice.

 

[dtburgh]

yep, looks just like the install i did myself, just with a different cover. dealer threw in the hitch, so the only cost to me was the wiring harness..

 

[Pigdog]

Looks like the same hitch as before.

yep, looks just like the install i did myself, just with a different cover. dealer through in the hitch, so the only cost to me was the wiring harness..

Do you think Kia will replace the latch for free. If it is a safety issue I think they have to.

 

[2020Telly]

If yo

Just got mine done with all OEM parts at a kia dealership in Utah. Just over $1k installed. Looks great. View attachment 31765

If you measure from the ground to the bottom of the square opening and let the forum know what trim and wheels you have, maybe someone with the older hitch receiver can do the same to see if the ground clearance is the same. This may also help those with the aftermarket hitch to see how much lowered theirs will be if they get the bumper insert.

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[skeetermx1825]

If yo


If you measure from the ground to the bottom of the square opening and let the forum know what trim and wheels you have, maybe someone with the older hitch receiver can do the same to see if the ground clearance is the same. This may also help those with the aftermarket hitch to see how much lowered theirs will be if they get the bumper insert.

i'd love to know this as well! Ordered my Hitch kit last week, anxiously awaiting the call when it arrives for install...

 

[Jamchampnate]

i'd love to know this as well! Ordered my Hitch kit last week, anxiously awaiting the call when it arrives for install...

I won’t be able to until later today but I will get a measurement.

 

[Pigdog]

I am installing my hitch and wiring now. I will get the measurement when I finish. Wiring done and went smoothly.

 

[don tujaka]

Is there any information on what the S9TOW-POWER, "Tailgate Latch Assembly", does on the EX & SX models?