My vehicle has a fuel filter problem This car has a total of 3 recalls and the fuel filter flange is one of the recalls I-??ve been told they fixed it before but I-??ve never gotten it fixed maybe the previous owner I took it Volkswagen they said I have to pay for the recall. But what happens when the repair fails?

- Chicago, IL, USA

Volkswagen sent me a recall notice on our 2007 Touareg. This involved the fuel filter flange on the car. It specifically said if you are smelling gasoline take it to the dealer right away. In August 2017 we took the car in to have it inspected. They said at the time nothing was wrong. We started smelling gas fumes coming from the car in Nov. 2017 and took it to village Volkswagen in chattanooga tn. They confirmed it was the fuel filter flange that was at fault and according to them, Volkswagen refused to replace the part or pay for any of the repairs. As this recall involves potentially having the vehicle that my wife uses to Transport our grandchildren around to catch on fire, I was then directly told do you want us to repair it or not and the total cost of repairs was $652. I had the vehicle checked by an independent mechanic and showed village Volkswagen the diagnosis and everyone agreed it was the part mentioned in the recall warranty. The service department person, ben, at village Volkswagen said that Volkswagen refusal to help with these repairs was based on the fact that they did not know what I could have done to the car. Like I was going to crawl under the car my wife drives with our grandchildren and fiddle with some flange? the insinuation was very aggravating to say the least and so I had to pay to have this repair accomplished or have a vehicle that puts my family in danger. I feel that Volkswagen should have covered these costs. I am attaching both the recall notice and the receipt from village Volkswagen showing the cost of the repair. I asked on Nov 17, 2017 to speak to the general manager at village Volkswagen and was told he was not in that day and was not offered anyone else to talk to.

- Hixson, TN, USA