ODI opened a preliminary evaluation (PE03-021) based on two reports of failed bolt studs that attach the passenger supplemental inflatable restraint (psir) door cover to the instrument panel (ip) on the Volkswagen (VW) Passat (model years 2000, 2002).VW has indicated to ODI that it has no additional reports.VW implemented a process change on March 1, 2002.this process change consisted of changing the bolt application that fastens the psir door to the ip from a weld on application to a press on application.VW also changed the material of the bolt.VW stated that the changes were made to ease production by eliminating a welding process.ODI has upgraded its investigation to engineering analysis (EA03-020).
