Trailer Wiring

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Bruce H

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I have a 2024 Sportage HEV, trim level EX. That vehicle does not offer a factory trailer hitch, but the KIA hitch allegedly fits. I ordered a hitch (and presumably wire harness) when I ordered the car over a year ago. I recently had the dealer install the hitch, but they were unable to install the wire harness. Various sources list part number DWF67 AC000 for the wire harness. That harness has a 6 pin connector, which presumably mates to an open connector pre-installed in the vehicle. But my vehicle did not have that connector. One dealer opened a "case" with Kia America, and I also posted a question to Kia Parts.com. Both of those replied “The hitch and harness fit all trim except EX and LX. There are no applicable part numbers at this time for your EX.” Kia America also said that the EX and LX Hybrids "are not meant to tow trailers--the hitch is only a 'sport hitch' for bike racks and the like". WHAT? Both online specs and the Owners Manual list trailer towing capacity, with no exceptions for trim level.

There IS an open connector tied back behind the left rear panel, but it is a 36 pin connector. Can anyone solve this mystery?
 

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    32 pin connector with wires.webp
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I have a new 2024 Sportage HEV LX. I needed a hitch and the dealer agreed to have it installed. Along the way we learned that the LX did not have a trailer brake controller, and could only support a 4-pin trailer harness. Since my trailer only weighs 950 pounds, so I was not concerned. I read somewhere along the line that if your Sportage lacks the brake controller, your towing capacity drops to 1667 pounds.
 
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daveshel said:
I have a new 2024 Sportage HEV LX. I needed a hitch and the dealer agreed to have it installed. Along the way we learned that the LX did not have a trailer brake controller, and could only support a 4-pin trailer harness. Since my trailer only weighs 950 pounds, so I was not concerned. I read somewhere along the line that if your Sportage lacks the brake controller, your twoing capacity drops to 1667 pounds.
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So was the dealer able to install the Kia 4-pin harness? Perhaps my Sportage was just wired wrong...
 
daveshel said:
The dealer had it installed, but, yes the 4-pin harness is installed and working.
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So, for your wiring harness, did they go through the trouble of splicing in a harness or did they find an aftermarket harness with 'T' connectors. My '25 Hybrid EX does not have the 6-pin connector for the OEM harness. Dealer did not offer any other options.
 
I have a new 2026 Sportage EX Premium (Canada) with an 8 pin harness behind the left rear cargo panel. Dealer not sure of a plug and play harness for trailer? Too new of a vehicle???? Anyone know?
 
Try Googling for another Sportage forum where I believe this is covered. Thought it was only in the SX Prestige versions, but maybe now available in your '26?
 
James Hill said:
I have a new 2026 Sportage EX Premium (Canada) with an 8 pin harness behind the left rear cargo panel. Dealer not sure of a plug and play harness for trailer? Too new of a vehicle???? Anyone know?
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I have the 2026 X-line limited. (Canada).. How did you get to that harness?
 
mhertel said:
I have the 2026 X-line limited. (Canada).. How did you get to that harness?
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If you open the back hatch. Remove the tread panel. Then remove the three screws holding the driver’s side cargo panel and start popping back that panel a little. Do not need to remove the whole panel just a bit to pull back a bit. It was behind that panel. Pre-wired for a tow harness but apparently the new harness hasn’t been released to markets yet (according to KIA dealership). It’s an 8 pin male plug. IMG_2712.webp
 
James Hill said:
If you open the back hatch. Remove the tread panel. Then remove the three screws holding the driver’s side cargo panel and start popping back that panel a little. Do not need to remove the whole panel just a bit to pull back a bit. It was behind that panel. Pre-wired for a tow harness but apparently the new harness hasn’t been released to markets yet (according to KIA dealership). It’s an 8 pin male plug. View attachment 120
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Great, thanks for the info. A lot of stuff is not out yet for the 2026, but a lot of the 2025 accessories do fit.
Still trying to find a phone mount that clips to the screen..
 
James Hill said:
If you open the back hatch. Remove the tread panel. Then remove the three screws holding the driver’s side cargo panel and start popping back that panel a little. Do not need to remove the whole panel just a bit to pull back a bit. It was behind that panel. Pre-wired for a tow harness but apparently the new harness hasn’t been released to markets yet (according to KIA dealership). It’s an 8 pin male plug.
Click to expand...

Did you ever figure out the pin-out schematic for this plug?
 
mhertel said:
I looked on the site and they didnt list anything for 2026.. I ordered a similar one from amazon for a 2025 and it did not fit..
I managed to build one from various parts..
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Yes the '23 & '26 dashes look a bit different. The ProClip would mount in the blank space between the two screens, behind the upper right side of the steering wheel.

2023: MY2023SportageSXDash.webp


2026:MY2026SportageSXDash.webp


Of course you could just contact ProClip and ask. Squeeky wheel gets the grease!
 
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