For the first time in years I noticed vents in the black plastic interior trim below the hatch. Are these active vents for heat & ac?

I had no idea they were there until I did a deep detailing on the vehicle early last year...

Does anyone have an idea what those vents are?

 

If I am looking at the same thing you are, my guess is that they are there to vent the spare tire compartment.

 

Got pics?

Probably air exit vents, all cars have them in the rear somewhere.

 

The don't vent out to the exterior.

 

Not directly, but it does indirectly.

The body vents (for air to exit the cabin) are in the rear corners of the car completely hidden by plastic interior panels.

The visible vent grilles you see in the rear center panel and probably in each rear side panel allow airflow to those body vents.



HTH

 

Ok, so these vents aren't throwing heat or ac rather just to vent air through the body panels?

 

No there is no ductwork from the HVAC unit in the dash to the rear of the car.

 

The relieve internal pressure in the cabin and allow air to flow through the car, every car I've owned had them somewhere.. Usually near the back.