Do all cars have tow hooks?

No. Not all cars have visible, fixed tow hooks, and a minority don’t include a removable tow eye in the toolkit. Most modern passenger cars do have at least one designated towing or recovery point—often a threaded socket hidden behind a small bumper cover—but availability, location, and hardware vary widely by model, market, and vehicle type.

What “tow hook” really means

The term is used loosely. Some vehicles have exposed steel hooks or loops, others use a removable tow eye that screws into a hidden receiver, and many have underbody tie-down points intended only for shipping or flatbed winching. Only points identified in the owner’s manual as towing or recovery points are engineered for that task.

Key distinctions

The following categories help clarify what you might find on a vehicle and how each is intended to be used.

• Fixed hooks/loops: Common on trucks and off-road SUVs; welded or bolted to the frame, designed for recovery loads.
• Removable tow eye: A steel eyelet stored with the jack/tools; screws into a threaded receiver behind a bumper cover, used for controlled towing or flatbed winching.
• Shipping tie-downs: Thin loops or slots under the car used to secure it during transport; typically not rated for recovery and can tear off.
• Trailer hitch receiver: Rated for towing trailers; with the right accessory (receiver-mounted recovery point), it can serve as a safe recovery anchor on suitable vehicles.

Knowing which type your vehicle has—and its intended use—prevents damage and ensures safer recovery or transport.

How common are tow hooks across vehicle types?

Prevalence depends on the class of vehicle and the priorities of the manufacturer. Here’s what you can generally expect.

• Economy/compact cars: Often have at least one threaded tow-eye receiver (front or rear, sometimes both) but may not include the tow eye in all markets.
• Sedans and crossovers: Commonly use hidden receivers with a removable tow eye; visible hooks are rare to preserve styling and aerodynamics.
• Sports cars: Typically include a removable tow eye for track-day recovery; some offer front and rear points for motorsport rules.
• SUVs and pickups: More likely to have exposed, frame-mounted hooks or loops, especially on off-road trims; also may have a rear hitch.
• Electric vehicles (EVs): Usually provide tow-eye receivers for controlled winching onto a flatbed, but flat-towing (wheels on the ground) is often prohibited.
• Older vehicles: Many had simple loops or less standardized points; documentation quality and corrosion can affect usability today.

While trends exist, exceptions are common—even within the same brand—so the owner’s manual remains the authority.

Regional and model differences

Automakers configure equipment by market. European models frequently include a removable tow eye and clearly marked bumper covers; some North American variants omit the tow eye from the tool kit while retaining the threaded receiver. There is no universal legal requirement for visible tow hooks, and terminology in manuals differs (“towing eye,” “recovery point,” “transport hook”). Always verify what is supplied with your specific VIN and market.

How to check your car

Use this quick process to confirm whether your vehicle has a tow hook, where it is, and how to use it safely.

1. Consult the owner’s manual: Look for sections titled Towing, Recovery, or Transporting.
2. Inspect the bumpers: Find small square or round panels; they often pop out to reveal threaded receivers.
3. Check the tool kit: Look for a steel tow eye in the spare-tire well or side cubbies; if missing, dealers usually sell model-specific replacements.
4. Look underneath: Identify any labeled tow or recovery points; don’t assume shipping tie-downs are rated for recovery.
5. Confirm limitations: Many manuals restrict tow speeds, angles, or require “transport”/“tow” mode (especially on EVs).

Verifying these details before you need them can save time and prevent damage during a breakdown.

Important cautions

Before using any point to pull or recover a vehicle, consider the following safety and mechanical limits.

• Shipping tie-downs are not recovery points; using them can rip sheet metal or cause injuries.
• Snatch recoveries (jerk pulls) can exceed the rating of removable tow eyes or unibody points; use controlled, straight-line pulls.
• EVs and many AWD vehicles must be flatbed transported; wheels-on-the-ground towing can damage motors, gearboxes, or batteries.
• Follow rated hardware only: Use appropriately rated shackles, soft shackles, and straps; avoid tow balls for recovery.
• Aftermarket hooks require proper mounting to structural members with graded fasteners; cosmetic “track hooks” may not be load-rated.
• Angles matter: Keep the pull as straight as possible to avoid bending the receiver or bumper structure.

Treat recovery as a high-load operation; the right equipment and technique are as important as having a tow point.

If your car doesn’t have a usable tow hook

If you can’t find a rated tow point or the tow eye is missing, these are safer alternatives.

• Request a flatbed: Ask roadside assistance to winch the vehicle from a rated point or using wheel lifts onto a flatbed.
• Use a trailer hitch recovery shackle: On vehicles with a Class II/III/IV hitch, use a purpose-built receiver shackle block.
• Dealer-supplied tow eye: Many cars have the receiver but lack the eye; purchase the correct OEM part for your model.
• Professional assessment: Off-road or motorsport shops can install rated recovery points tied into the frame/subframe.
• Avoid suspension arms or control links: These are not designed for towing loads and can bend.

When in doubt, wait for professional assistance rather than risking structural damage or injury.

Bottom line

Not every car has a visible tow hook, and some don’t include the removable tow eye, but most modern vehicles provide at least one designated towing or recovery point—often hidden—specified in the manual. Identify yours in advance, use only rated hardware, and follow the manufacturer’s towing instructions, especially for EVs and AWD models.

Summary

While most cars have a manufacturer-designated point for towing or recovery, they won’t always have an exposed hook. Many rely on a removable tow eye that threads into a hidden receiver, and some models or markets omit the eye from the tool kit. Verify your vehicle’s equipment and instructions, avoid using shipping tie-downs, and prioritize flatbed transport or professional help when proper tow points are unavailable.

Why do some cars have tow hooks?

Tow hooks are robust loops or hooks, usually located on the front and rear of a vehicle, that serve as strong, designated attachment points for towing or recovery operations. They provide a safe and secure way to pull a vehicle that is stuck, disabled, or broken down, preventing damage to the vehicle’s frame or body. Tow hooks are also a common and sometimes mandatory feature for racing and track days, ensuring quick and easy recovery of a vehicle off the track.
 
Primary Functions

• Vehicle Recovery: Opens in new tabThis is the most common use of tow hooks. When a vehicle is stuck in mud, sand, snow, or a ditch, a tow strap or chain can be attached to the hook to pull it free. 
• Towing: Opens in new tabTow hooks provide a sturdy point for towing a vehicle for short distances, such as when moving a disabled car to a flatbed tow truck or out of a driveway. 
• Track and Race Use: Opens in new tabFor racing and track day enthusiasts, tow hooks are essential for quick, low-stress recovery of a vehicle that may go off-track or break down on the circuit. 

Key Characteristics

• Durability: Tow hooks are made from strong materials like steel or aluminum and are engineered to withstand significant pulling forces without breaking or damaging the vehicle’s frame. 
• Proper Installation: Unlike improvised attachment points on the bumper, a tow hook connects directly to the vehicle’s frame, distributing the recovery forces across the strongest parts of the vehicle. 
• Safety: Using designated tow hooks is a crucial safety measure to prevent accidents, costly damage to the vehicle, and frustration during a recovery situation. 

Where You’ll Find Them

• Trucks and SUVs: Opens in new tabMany vehicles designed for off-road use or towing, such as trucks and SUVs, come equipped with front and rear tow hooks. 
• Performance and Race Cars: Opens in new tabYou’ll often find them on race cars and performance vehicles, sometimes as a required safety feature for track events. 

Where is the tow hook on my car?

Hook. This is a pretty common location for the OEM tow hook so whether you have a WRX SEI Forester FRSB or Z this is pretty much where you’re going to find the tow. Hook.

Do cars come with a tow hook?

They are usually factory-mounted on the front or rear of most vehicles. Tow hooks are typically bolted to the vehicle’s frame or a heavy-duty mounting location.

Do all cars have tow points?

Most vehicles have a spot somewhere…just in case they need a tow or basic street recovery. For some street cars, however, there may be no recovery point at all, which is why you see tow trucks use large hooks to snag the axle or suspension of a car and drag it away.