Do all cars have a tow hook?

No. Not all cars have a visible tow hook, but most modern passenger vehicles include at least one dedicated recovery or towing eye—often hidden behind a small bumper cover. Availability, design, and location vary by make, model, and market, and some vehicles have only one accessible point or none that are driver-usable.

What manufacturers typically provide

On many late‑model cars, especially those sold in Europe and Asia, automakers supply a screw‑in towing eye (also called a recovery eye or towing loop). It’s usually stored with the spare tire tools and threads into a reinforced receiver behind a removable plastic cap in the front or rear bumper. Trucks and off‑road SUVs often have permanent, frame‑mounted recovery hooks or shackle mounts visible below the bumper. By contrast, some vehicles—particularly certain North American models, low‑slung sports cars, and a few EVs—may omit a screw‑in eye on one end, hide the point deeply behind trim, or provide only transport tie‑downs not rated for recovery by owners.

Even when a point exists, it may be intended primarily to winch the car straight onto a flatbed, not for dynamic snatch recoveries. Always confirm what’s rated for your vehicle in the owner’s manual.

Tow hook vs. hitch vs. tie‑down points

These terms get mixed up, but they are not interchangeable. A tow hook or towing eye is a designated recovery point for pulling a disabled vehicle at low speeds or winching it onto a truck. A trailer hitch (receiver) is a separate, frame‑mounted device designed to pull a trailer with a rated tongue and tow capacity. Transport tie‑down points—often small loops under the car—are used to secure the vehicle during shipping and are not always rated for roadside recovery loads. Using the wrong point can bend subframes, tear bumpers, or damage driveline components.

Where to find yours

If you’re unsure whether your car has a tow hook or recovery point, the steps below will help you identify what’s available and how it’s intended to be used.

1. Consult the owner’s manual: Look for sections titled “Towing,” “Emergency Towing,” or “Vehicle Recovery.” It will specify the number, location, and safe use of towing eyes or hooks.
2. Check the bumpers: Many cars have a square or round plastic cap on the front or rear bumper that pops out to reveal a threaded receiver for a screw‑in eye.
3. Inspect the tool kit: The screw‑in towing eye is commonly stored with the jack or tire tools in the trunk, underfloor bin, or frunk (on some EVs).
4. Look underneath: Trucks and some SUVs have permanent, frame‑mounted hooks or shackle tabs visible below the bumper; some cars have welded loops near the subframe.
5. Verify ratings: Markings in the manual or on the hardware indicate whether a point is for recovery, flatbed loading only, or transport tie‑down.
6. If nothing is provided or accessible: Arrange a flatbed. Attempting to pull from suspension arms, control‑arm holes, or cosmetic grilles risks serious damage.

Once you’ve located the correct point and confirmed its intended use, you can plan the safest method to recover or transport the vehicle without causing avoidable damage.

Important cautions before towing

Using a tow hook incorrectly can damage the vehicle or create safety hazards. Keep these considerations in mind before any recovery or towing attempt.

• Powertrains matter: Many EVs and some hybrids must not be towed with drive wheels on the ground; they require flatbed transport to avoid motor/inverter damage.
• AWD/4WD and automatics: Drivetrain lubrication may depend on the engine running; flatbed or dollies are often required. Check the manual for speed and distance limits if two‑wheel towing is allowed at all.
• Use rated recovery gear: Match the strap, rope, or shackle working load limit to the vehicle’s weight. Avoid metal hooks on straps for dynamic pulls.
• Minimize angle and shock loads: Pull as straight as possible and avoid sudden jerks unless using equipment designed for kinetic recovery with proper training.
• Attach only to rated points: Never pull from tie‑rods, control arms, axles, or cosmetic tow‑eye covers without the actual threaded eye installed.
• Install correctly: If using a screw‑in eye, thread it fully by hand and snug with the lug wrench bar if specified; partial engagement can rip out the receiver.
• Mind local laws and safety: Many regions restrict rope/bar towing on public roads; use hazard lights, flags, and a qualified operator where required.

Following these precautions reduces the risk of injury and mechanical damage, and it aligns your approach with what the manufacturer designed the vehicle to handle.

The bottom line

Not every car has a visible tow hook, but most modern vehicles provide at least one manufacturer‑approved recovery point—often a hidden, screw‑in towing eye or a frame‑mounted hook on trucks and off‑roaders. Check your owner’s manual to confirm what your specific model includes and how it may be used, and default to flatbed transport if no rated recovery point is available or if your powertrain prohibits wheel‑on‑ground towing.

Summary

Most cars have some form of towing or recovery provision, though it may be hidden and intended only for controlled loading onto a flatbed. The presence, number, and location of tow hooks or towing eyes vary widely. Verify what your car has, use only rated points with appropriate gear, and follow manufacturer guidance—especially for EVs, hybrids, and AWD models. When in doubt, call for a flatbed to prevent damage.