Did you ever get this resolved? I have the same issue on mine.

 

Does anyone know how to remove the center armrest to get to these? Seems like they snapped (?) out or something. Thoughts? thanks!

A forum member here ( @ktbos ) has a useful post on removing the center console (link here). I think you don't need to follow the entire instruction set all the way; just until the side panel closest to the 2nd row vent is open.

 

Thanks!

 

Wow, all that to fix two air vents in the back?

 

You definitely do NOT need to take the whole console apart to fix these vents.

I’d recommend at minimum removing the armrest–there’s little to impossible clearance without doing this. If you remove the plastic cover under the armrest itself there’s four Torx screws that will allow the armrest pad to separate from the hinge.
After that, the entire air vent panel is only held in with clips. The nozzle assembly is supposed to be clipped to this panel directly, but if it’s sunken it might come apart during removal.

Besides the piano black panel, there’s nothing else holding this whole assembly in place. The ducts themselves are only buffered by a foam pad

 

Just had the same issue - very easy to fix. You simply pull off the 12v socket panel below the vents (it just clips out) then you can return your vents to their upward position!

 

Just had the same issue - very easy to fix. You simply pull off the 12v socket panel below the vents (it just clips out) then you can return your vents to their upward position!
@architekt

@architekct ^^ yes, this was my experience too. The 12V panel literally clips off then you can re-adjust the vents and snap it back on. It took single digit minutes.

 

I wouldn't have thought to remove this panel. Fixed this in under a minute with this tip - thank you!! Also, did some laparoscopic surgery on the vent clip to reattach the piece you grab with the little fork that controls the lateral movement.

 

Does it snap off? I don't really want to use any tools if I don't need to.

 

I’m trying to figure this out as well - has anyone done this?

 

Mine is broken as well, taking it to the dealer to see if they can fix it under warranty, does anybody know if this is covered?

 

I doubt it. Maybe in the 1 year adjustment period. But also, the fix (barring physical damage to the vent clips) is just unclipping that panel and snapping the thing back into place - seriously almost no effort.

 

Going to add my contribution since I just did this repair. It's pretty easy, you'll just need a T25 bit, a trim tool, and a pick.
1) This step may not be entirely necessary, but it gives you much more room to remove the piano black trim from around the rear vents. Remove the trim directly underneath the arm rest. I found this to be the hardest part since I didn't want to risk breaking tabs. Just go easy with the trim tool and it'll eventually pop off. If you break it, it's part 31377911. After you pull this off, you'll remove the 4 T25 screws, and then the arm rest pops off.

2) Use the trim tool to pry the trim around the rear vents. It's easiest to start from the top and work your way down. The trim is attached to the vents, so it'll al come out together. If you want, you can also remove the 12V panel to give you extra room. I have a 16 T8 hybrid, so I also had to remove the panel below the 12 panel on the tunnel (where the high voltage disconnect (I believe) is). This lets you push from underneath or help line things up if needed. Now is also a great time to clean up the rear touch screen since mine was filthy around the edges.

3) To remove the trim from the vent assembly, carefully pry up on the tabs that go all the way around. There should be 8, 4 on top in a row, two in the middle together between the round vent adjusters and there are two tabs slightly hidden under the round vent opening adjusters at either corner. I used a pick to help with this

Installation is the reverse of install.
Going very carefully, this took all of maybe 15 minutes.