Which heat shield are you referring to. There is the one up front over the exhaust manifold. I would replace it if only for the looks ($39.00 US for V6, $95 US for I4) and there are a couple underneath; one above the muffler and one in front of the muffler over the tail pipe. These two protect the exhaust heat from reaching the floor. Those I would also replace for safety reasons.

-TM-

 

I believe the one that's rattling is just in front of the rear wheels.

 

If it's the one I am thinking of, that one in front of the rear wheels is just under the gas tank. I would fix that problem.
-TM-

 

Does anyone have the part number or a webpage reference for the heat shield infront of the rear wheels (not above the muffler...not behind the front wheels). Thanks Cory

 

After 110,000Km (60,000 miles) my gas tank heat shield fell off. Not due to road salt corossion - none there - due to Toyota deliberately using the wrong kind of alloy on it's 4 mounting bolt washers that have an electrolytic reaction to the shield metal and ate right thru the shield.
part and labour ( for 4 bolts) $288 + tax ????
Toyota say not covered in my 7 yr extended warranty ( not much really is). After a few phonecalls Toyota will pay $100 and dealership will install.
Sadly once again a bad case of deliberate "Marketing-Engineering"

 

My Venza also has 60,000 miles on it. I ordered the gas tank heat shield.... PROTECTOR SUB-ASSY, FUEL TANK, 776060T010 from http://toyotapartsoverstock.com/ for $95 plus shipping. It's on its way. Wonder if Toyota issued a service bulletin and changed out the original bolts you mentioned and I should have ordered replacements?

 

I don't think you can replace the "bolts". When I was rear ended, my muffler and heat shield were pulled down and one of the "bolts" was ripped from the sheet metal. They are actually threaded insert studs that are pressed through the sheet metal under the spare tire. Since they are pressed on they cannot be removed. Since one of mine was ripped through the sheet metal, the body shop had to use a screw with a large flat washer on it to remount the shield.

 

I think they are replaceable according to the parts diagram (4 fasteners/washers per)

 

I think those are different fasteners than I was referencing. I may have misunderstood which fasteners the other posts were about. I was speaking of the ones that hold on the large shield over the muffler. Sorry if I caused any confusion.

 

Faulty material

My 90,000km 2011 Venza started making a helacious noise when starting, turns out the gas tank heat shield disintigrated at the rear mounts.

I tried using fender washers to hold the shield in place and within a few weeks the heat shield material crumbled around those fender washers and the shield fell back onto my exhaust.

The front mounts on the heat shield are still holding it in place, but I need to find a fix/replacement before my shield completely disappears and my gas tank will be fully exposed to the exhaust.

As important as this heatshield is, I predict Toyota may have YET another massive recall (bad press, disatisfied customers...) on their hands.

Oh, the cost for a replacement heatshield here in Canada is $134, :frown:

 

I started my car -(2009 Toy Venza ) yesterday and there was a loud clonking noise. I immeditately took it into the dealership and was informed that the heat shield to the gas tank needed to be replaced. the charge $263.02. the part had to be ordered but the piece was taken off because it was dangerous to drive with it rattling. I was informed that it was safe for me to drive for a couple days while waiting on the part to come in. Does anyone know of a recall from toyota regarding this issue ? thanks

 

No need for a recall unless a substantial number of vehicle exhibit the problem early on during production cycle..... just a part failure on a 6-year old vehicle.

 

Ever since I got my exhaust done, I get a clinking noise which sounds almost like metal on metal or a rusty spring flexing up and down. I'm wondering if it could be this.

I'll check. Good to know.

 

This happened on my 2011 Venza with 112k. Dealer charged $192 CAD just for the flimsy heat shield.

I had to buy a large floor jack, and few other tools, so it came to ~$350 total. Was worth it, because it let me go underneath to rubberize the body and re-rubberize the gas tank.

That being said the dealer wanted to charge $28 for the 4 clips. Which was absurd, because I paid $1 for washers, lock nuts and bolts. Then rubberized the mounting hole and doubt I will have this problem again, since I purchased fairly large washers.

 

I had my heat shield fall off early this summer (2010 v6 120k). I had to go under and pull it off since it was making an awful noise. It's a bit messed up so hoping I can re-attach it without replacing it.

See how it goes.

 

My 2011 Venza is in today (Toronto) for exact same problem, they want $360.00 tax in labour and parts. Now that I know this is a design flaw and a safety issue not wear and tear, I am a little pissed off. What is this, just like the mat under the gas tank issue???

 

5 New England winters & that heat shield & the fasteners on our 09 still look like new. I take it that they use a LOT more salt up north of the border??

 

I just had the same issues with my 2011 - 61000km, awful racket. the dealer is charging me nearly C$400 all in- seems odd that something rust in 4 years in this day?

otherwise, no complaints on the car.

 

Just a though, have any of you consider using the permatex gasket ( high temp ). I have my shield felt of underneath the car and it rattles like crazy when I drive. The shields came out of the nuts and all I did was using permatex gasket and it has been over a year and still on and holding strong!

 

Another approach is to put in $20.00 truck mudflaps to keep the salty snow out.

It's a cheap and easy preventative improvement to the vehicle.

The 2013 I bought had a rusty trailer hitch that was less than 2 years old.

The open back explains why.

 

Leave it out. Had mine removed when it was making a noise. It's only really needed if you live somewhere where it's really hot like Arizona or in the desert.

 

Well after replacing the gas tank heat shield ( called FUEL TANK PROTECTOR) once - 7 months later the 2nd same shield fell off. I informed the dealership again its not the heat shield that's faulty its the type of metal used for the washer and bolts which is reacting with the aluminum shield - it corrodes right thru shield with stray electrolytic reactions of non compatible metals. hard to believe a licensed toyota engineer in the production line design would not know this. IMHO this is intentional in design. this time it only took 7 months because they used the same washers and bolts that corroded the first replacement. While I suggest they use aluminum or teflon coated washers they are telling me they're going to put electrolytic grease. That is temporary and will wear off with the street salt fast I'm affraid.
I'm calling Toyota head office tomorrow as this should be a recall.
Anybody have the name and number for the appointed govt official assigned at Toyota head office to monitor re-curring complaints from their last govt recall settlement with the govt a couple of yrs ago ?

 

...its the type of metal used for the washer and bolts which is reacting with the aluminum shield - it corrodes right thru shield with stray electrolytic reactions of non compatible metals...

AKA Galvanic Corrosion.

I don't know if it is an issue that they would recall for as I have not seen a lot of people experiencing it. I have had my Venza for almost 5 years now and have not had this issue. Good luck though!

 

If it was an issue with the fasteners wouldn't we all be experiencing the same issue?? Seems to be only Canadian Venzas?

 

Yes CT - quite possibly. what I suspect is the bolts/washers used varied in time on the production line - gotta keep the repair incomes coming but controlled as to not create a major recall. Some Venzas probably don't know their shields fell off and some with thye proper alloy bolts have no issues.
Gotta search details of bolts/washer part # 90185-06002 and # 90080-11169
Anybody got alloy and size specs of these ?

 

...Anybody got alloy and size specs of these ?

I can't seem to find that anywhere, but in my experience as a Mechanical Engineer for over 20 years, these types of nut clips are always steel, usually uncoated, but heat treated which makes them look black. Same with the screws, 95% of the time they are going to be steel for strength and cost. For example a 1/4-20 x 3/8 SHCS in steel will cost about $.20 US where the same size screw in aluminum is $1.53. So bottom line here is probably BOM cost.

 

Thanks for Trying lburton
just got off the phone w Toyota. They said they will talk to dealership as they couldn't do anything and I said dealership couldn't do anything to call Toyota. Endless useless loop on customer logistics here it seems.
New facts: more Canadian vehicles reporting here on same issue and to my surprise the washer number for that bolt listed above is not listed as a part in Canadian Toyota dealerships parts counter - just the bolt which says a lot. The USA has a washer listed most likely aluminum to protect the shield from the steel bolt that created the erosion electrolyticly.
Why do we have no washer part number listed in Canada is deliberate IMHO.
Going for my 3rd gas tank shield with no remedy it seems so far.

 

I would take one of your existing screws out and go to a hardware store to determine what thread size it is (looking at it on my car, I'm guessing M6 or M8). Then you can go online and order some screws and washers that are either aluminum, aluminized or rubber backed in the case of the washer.

 

Heat Shield issue discovery

Our Venza gas tank heat shields are falling off especially Canadian models. I am on my 3rd. Dealer quick to claim road salt erosion. There is no erosion on aluminum shields. The problem is the metal of the assembly bolts has a electrolytic reaction with the shield and melts right thru it.
HERE IS THE KICKER:
It seems the insulating washer part number on USA parts diagrams that insulates the bolt head from eroding thru the shield is taken off the parts list on Canadian vehicles. Although the USA bolt number is valid in Canada the insulating washer is not available.
It takes deliberate synergy to remove a part on the Canadian parts database list that is needed and detrimental on preserving the heat shield installation.

 

Couldn't you use a different washer or bolt? Granted exhaust pipes get hot, cold, wet, vibration, etc. but you could use a combination of different metals, fastener types, etc.

Besides, 75%+ of the times when I remove old, corroded, rusted, frozen heat shields the fasteners are going to break. After they break I'll try to remove them via drilling, heating, tapping, etc. Or I'll just use a threaded stud into the hole, heat and rust resistant washer and a nut. Most of the times any bolt that fits with some high heat loctite gets it done. I just don't over tighten and I know that it'll need to be broken to get to anyways.