I purchased my 2023 Kia X-Line Telluride in the spring of 2022 and it was delivered in November. I made the purchase based on the great reviews and the impressive test drive at the dealer.
A tow package was important to us as we have a 17' boat and a horse trailer. The dealer told us that a tow package came with the vehicle and the hitch and electrical hookup would be done at the dealer when it arrived.
When the vehicle arrived in November, the dealer told us that the trailer hitch and electrical package was not available yet but expected soon.
In early spring of 2023, I started my quest to have the trailer hitch put on. I contacted the local dealer and they advised that they did not have the hitch but had the electrical hookup for the vehicle. The hitch was easy to find for the vehicle in the after market. So I purchased the Kia electrical hookup and ordered the hitch.
I took the 2023 Telluride to a trailer hitch dealer with the Kia electrical hookup. The hitch was installed and the plug-in Kia electrical connector was next. A problem occurred when no plug in receptor was found on the vehicle. The Installer's view was that a mistake must of be made at the factory and recommended to me to take the vehicle back to the dealer.
I contacted the dealer and the staff in the garage felt that the trailer installer must of missed seeing the plug-in. So I booked an appointment with the dealer who sold me the trailer electrical connector rather than debate between the two.
I took the Telluride to the dealer and they confirmed the plug-in was not installed at the factory. The dealer called Kia and confirmed the plug-in was not installed and they had no part to replace it. I asked if the the trailer electrical could be spliced into the vehicle and they did not have the the expertise to do this. When I asked if the warranty would be void if I had the trailer hitch installer splice in the electrical wiring and got a "depends" answer.
The trailer installer was contacted and he declined to splice in the electrical wiring for obvious reasons.
Since that time I have been in contact with the parts manager several times. He said he had raised the issue with Kia at two different regional meetings a received no answer as to if and when the part or fix will be available.
I contacted Kia customer service directly and left a message about the issue and did not receive a call back.
I have reviewed the internet forums and news articles. No answers on the forums and the media has been silent about the issue.
My 2023 Telluride runs great but my boat sits this summer because I have no electrical trailer hookup.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I purchased my 2023 Kia X-Line Telluride in the spring of 2022 and it was delivered in November. I made the purchase based on the great reviews and the impressive test drive at the dealer.
A tow package was important to us as we have a 17' boat and a horse trailer. The dealer told us that a tow package came with the vehicle and the hitch and electrical hookup would be done at the dealer when it arrived.
When the vehicle arrived in November, the dealer told us that the trailer hitch and electrical package was not available yet but expected soon.
In early spring of 2023, I started my quest to have the trailer hitch put on. I contacted the local dealer and they advised that they did not have the hitch but had the electrical hookup for the vehicle. The hitch was easy to find for the vehicle in the after market. So I purchased the Kia electrical hookup and ordered the hitch.
I took the 2023 Telluride to a trailer hitch dealer with the Kia electrical hookup. The hitch was installed and the plug-in Kia electrical connector was next. A problem occurred when no plug in receptor was found on the vehicle. The Installer's view was that a mistake must of be made at the factory and recommended to me to take the vehicle back to the dealer.
I contacted the dealer and the staff in the garage felt that the trailer installer must of missed seeing the plug-in. So I booked an appointment with the dealer who sold me the trailer electrical connector rather than debate between the two.
I took the Telluride to the dealer and they confirmed the plug-in was not installed at the factory. The dealer called Kia and confirmed the plug-in was not installed and they had no part to replace it. I asked if the the trailer electrical could be spliced into the vehicle and they did not have the the expertise to do this. When I asked if the warranty would be void if I had the trailer hitch installer splice in the electrical wiring and got a "depends" answer.
The trailer installer was contacted and he declined to splice in the electrical wiring for obvious reasons. Since that time I have been in contact with the parts manager several times. He said he had raised the issue with Kia at two different regional meetings a received no answer as to if and when the part or fix will be available.
I contacted Kia customer service directly and left a message about the issue and did not receive a call back.
I have reviewed the internet forums and news articles. No answers on the forums and the media has been silent about the issue.
My 2023 Telluride runs great but my boat sits this summer because I have no electrical trailer hookup.
- dallan1041, Beamsville, ON, Canada