The 2023 Towing Saga Part 2 - Finally good news!

[pouduh]

You were not asking me, I realize, but the tailgate latch only needs to be replaced on 2023 and early MY2024. Cars built after early October do not need a new latch.

Early in the process, dealers were asked to offer lower pricing but there was no guarantee of how long that would last and since it's been over 6 months, I don't know if it's something you can expect.

However, the original memo to dealers outlining the need for the latch does say the entire job takes just under two hours. So, you could use that to discuss your dealer's labor charge. I dont' know what the hourly charge for labor in your area usually is.

Thanks, Deb. I do have a 2024 and I have only seen the hitch be available for the 2024 model for a couple of months now. I got the car in December 2023 and started looking for the hitch right away but the website (kiastuff.com) stated that the available model only works up to MY 2022.
I am quite disappointed with having bought a new car with extra towing capacity (SX Prestige X-Line model) and now being charged $425 in parts plus additional labor to actually take advantage of the towing capacity. If this turns out to be the case this will definitely be my last Kia and I will be right back with Toyota. I don't want to judge Kia before getting all the information though.

 

[Deb in Bailey]

Thanks, Deb. I do have a 2024 and I have only seen the hitch be available for the 2024 model for a couple of months now. I got the car in December 2023 and started looking for the hitch right away but the website (kiastuff.com) stated that the available model only works up to MY 2022.
I am quite disappointed with having bought a new car with extra towing capacity (SX Prestige X-Line model) and now being charged $425 in parts plus additional labor to actually take advantage of the towing capacity. If this turns out to be the case this will definitely be my last Kia and I will be right back with Toyota. I don't want to judge Kia before getting all the information though.

The hitch/harness (including the latch and bumper cover) were available starting in August for 2023s and early MY2024. Have you seen the original memo from Kia to dealers about the issue? I attached it to this post if you haven't seen it way up further in this discussion.

In December, you could easily have had the dealer install a hitch/harness (and the latch if needed) if your car did not already have one installed from the factory.

You couldn't even order one with a hitch/harness until October.

And, you are right, the hitch is an add-on even on models with the tow package. Yes, it's strange, but true. Makes no sense to me.

 

[BigBoi]

@tyger23 , how have those 2 screws and PVC held up as a fastning hardware? I'm about to do the same job you did, and I am worried about the resileincy of that bracket with just two deck screws sunk into plastic. It take some force to plug and unplug 7-pin connectors in and I didn't know if this has held up well or not for you.

 

[corsair]

any luck finding a part number for bumper hitch cover only? I need one for a 2024. I already install the OEM hitch and wiring kit. I ordered bumper cover S9f61-au060 but appears fits the 2022 not 2023 on up

Unfortunately not. I don't understand why that isn't able to be purchased separately without the whole tow kit.

Unfortunately the dealer threw away the original bumper plate when they installed my hitch.

It looks like my cheapest option is to buy the S9F61-AU100 kit for ~$400

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[liberride]

OK. I've read a lot about this issue. I bought a '24 EX telly in Dec-2023. The manufacturing date of the telly is Nov 17, 2023, so I don't think I have the rear latch issue. I ordered the "tow hitch kit (to be installed)"; I think I had it installed in Feb-2024.

I am still somewhat confused. Did they give me the right wiring harness part? The picture below is of a 7-pin connector (this is on the vehicle). However, the harness given with the product is part number S9F67 AC060, which has 4 prongs and pigtails on the other end. Is that the correct wiring harness? Is there something else I need to be able to tow? Is there something else I need to not have the car blare at me when backing up with my 1up bike rack installed (yes, I know of the 3 second hold on the button up front)?

https://imgur.com/a/uO2M78r

 

[FrankRizzo]

...

 

[FrankRizzo]

OK. I've read a lot about this issue. I bought a '24 EX telly in Dec-2023. The manufacturing date of the telly is Nov 17, 2023, so I don't think I have the rear latch issue. I ordered the "tow hitch kit (to be installed)"; I think I had it installed in Feb-2024.

I am still somewhat confused. Did they give me the right wiring harness part? The picture below is of a 7-pin connector (this is on the vehicle). However, the harness given with the product is part number S9F67 AC060, which has 4 prongs and pigtails on the other end. Is that the correct wiring harness? Is there something else I need to be able to tow? Is there something else I need to not have the car blare at me when backing up with my 1up bike rack installed (yes, I know of the 3 second hold on the button up front)?

https://imgur.com/a/uO2M78r

View attachment 32742

The S9F67 AC060 part is to wire in a brake controller. If you have a Telly with towing, there's wiring from the back of the car (preinstalled) that runs up under the dash somewhere by the steering wheel. You used this harness to plug into that plug under the dash, then wire the stripped wires into an aftermarket brake controller. This will allow the use\communication of trailer brakes via the 7 pin plug (next to the hitch). If you don't tow a trailer with electric brakes, you don't need a brake controller, nor does this part (S9F67 AC060) need to be installed. I'd keep the part in the glovebox or maybe tuck it with the jack so you don't lose it down the road in case the need comes up where a brake controller warranted.

 

[Williamtell]

A Curt Echo is a Bluetooth device that serves as a brake controller without having to hard wire anything into the car. It plugs into the seven pin connector at the back of the car and works off of your cellphone.

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[mgoblue]

I’m belatedly catching up on all of this. I was just at the dealer the other day and asked about the hitch, and it seems that the “free” latch has gone away. Is that right? It also seems like maybe the price of the other hitch and bumper parts has gone up. Did I completely miss the boat on getting a reasonably priced hitch on my Telluride?

(I have a 2023 that was affected)

 

[Deb in Bailey]

I’m belatedly catching up on all of this. I was just at the dealer the other day and asked about the hitch, and it seems that the “free” latch has gone away. Is that right? It also seems like maybe the price of the other hitch and bumper parts has gone up. Did I completely miss the boat on getting a reasonably priced hitch on my Telluride?

(I have a 2023 that was affected)

Well, if you read the original letter from corporate to dealers from almost a year ago, the reduced pricing was not long term. And even from the beginning, different dealers were charging different things.

All you can do is check around and see what different dealers tell you. Take a copy of that letter and see if they can accomodate you.

I wouldn't call any of it very reasonably priced. I'm still frustrated that it's so much less expensive when port installed, but I didn't have that option.

 

[JimSLewis]

I did the 2022 hitch and the Canadian plug-and-play wiring early on. Has anyone ever found the part number for the central trim piece that has cut-outs for wiring and hitch? I checked with my local dealer and he said they only sell the trim with the full hitch kit.

 

[mgoblue]

Yeah I’m tempted to go the DIY route with a Curt hitch. The one question I have is what that latch part is supposed to do and how crucial it is

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[Deb in Bailey]

Yeah I’m tempted to go the DIY route with a Curt hitch. The one question I have is what that latch part is supposed to do and how crucial it is

I don't think anyone ever figured out (or posted about it, if they did) why the change in latch.

I must say, I LOVE my OEM hitch/harness/bumper cover. I love that it sits up higher than a 3rd party hitch. I love that if I have an issue, I can go back to the dealer since they installed it.

 

[Vincenzo]

Purchased my car in April. The hitch was a priority and worked it into the deal.

 

[Deb in Bailey]

Purchased my car in April. The hitch was a priority and worked it into the deal.

Right, and in April 2024, you could purchase aTelluride with a hitch.

But no one who purchased a 2023 or a 2024 (prior to October, 2023) could get hitch - either port installed or dealer installed. They didn't exist. It is only since last August that a solution became available for those of us with 2023 or early 2024s.

 

[tyger23]

@tyger23 , how have those 2 screws and PVC held up as a fastning hardware? I'm about to do the same job you did, and I am worried about the resileincy of that bracket with just two deck screws sunk into plastic. It take some force to plug and unplug 7-pin connectors in and I didn't know if this has held up well or not for you.

So far so good! I've not had any issues. I do take care not to stress it when inserting/removing a plug though.

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[dtburgh]

I installed my own oem hitch and wiring harness purchased from a Canadian Hyundai dealer and everything works as it should. I have no idea why the latch needs to be changed. I’ve had zero problems.

 

[OldPilot]

I don't think anyone ever figured out (or posted about it, if they did) why the change in latch.

I dimly recall someone saying or speculating that the latch issue arose in connection with crash testing cars with factory hitches.

I must say, I LOVE my OEM hitch/harness/bumper cover. I love that it sits up higher than a 3rd party hitch.

The center of the square receiver tube on my Curt hitch is 14" above the pavement on a 2024 EX with stock wheels and tires. Installing it required cutting a hole in the center trim panel. Eyeballing pictures of factory hitches my guess is that they are in that range as well. What does yours measure? I have seen pictures of hitches that come out under the factory trim piece. Guess these might be closer to 10".

I have set up my hitch ball with a 2" lift (Curt 45295 reversed), so the ball is a bit above the receiver opening. I think that is a good height for small trailers at least.

 

[dwb913]

I don’t know of one, but I would be surprised if there is one with the way they designed the harness. It’s incredibly easy to add a 7-pole to 4-pole adapter, though - just plug it in. That’s what I do when I need a 4 or 5 pole.

What is the cost and can this work on the 23 Telluride?

 

[dwb913]

Right, and in April 2024, you could purchase aTelluride with a hitch.

But no one who purchased a 2023 or a 2024 (prior to October, 2023) could get hitch - either port installed or dealer installed. They didn't exist. It is only since last August that a solution became available for those of us with 2023 or early 2024s.

I had two requests when I bought my 23, One was interactive cruise and the other the ability to tow. They lied about the towing ability and I gave them bad reviews on Google, Yelp, Consumer affairs n my state and the BBB. They called me and I worked out a $3000 refund.