Mercedes Mullins
Circle K is a fuel company that provides gasoline and diesel to its customers across the United States. In February 2025, a Circle K gas station in Phoenix, Arizona, mistakenly put diesel fuel into its regular gas pumps, leading to vehicle damage for dozens of drivers. The company attributed the issue to a third-party carrier and shut down fuel pumps at the location. Circle K vowed to cover the costs of repairs and rental cars for affected customers. This incident raises questions about the quality of Circle K's diesel fuel and whether it undergoes winterization to prevent similar issues in the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Circle K's response to the diesel fuel mix-up | The company acknowledged the issue, apologized, and committed to reimbursing affected customers for repairs and associated costs. |
| Cause of the issue | A third-party carrier accidentally put diesel fuel into the unleaded gasoline storage tank and vice versa. |
| Impact | About 25-50 drivers reported damage to their vehicles, with repair costs ranging from thousands of dollars to rental car expenses. |
| Customer experience | Customers experienced car trouble, such as engines not starting, stuttering, and jerking. Some had to deal with the stress and inconvenience of finding alternative transportation during the repair process. |
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What You'll Learn
- Circle K's insurance company agreed to cover the costs of repairs and rental cars for affected customers
- A third-party carrier was responsible for the diesel fuel mix-up
- Circle K vows to reimburse customers for repairs and associated costs
- About 25 drivers reported damage to their vehicles after filling up at Circle K
- Circle K's diesel fuel mix-up left dozens of vehicles damaged
Circle K's insurance company agreed to cover the costs of repairs and rental cars for affected customers
Circle K is a large company with over 3,600 locations nationwide. The company guarantees the quality of its fuels, but issues can sometimes arise. In February 2025, a Circle K gas station in Phoenix made the news when a third-party carrier accidentally put diesel fuel into the unleaded gasoline storage tank and vice versa. This mistake left dozens of vehicles damaged, with diesel fuel in their gas tanks.
The company acknowledged the issue and shut down the fuel pumps at the location. Circle K's insurance company agreed to cover the costs of repairs and rental cars for affected customers. In a statement, the company apologized for the incident and committed to helping customers with their claims. They also stated that they would reimburse customers for any repairs and associated costs related to the incident after reviewing and verifying their information.
One affected driver, Nicole Marino, reported more than $6,000 in repairs for her vehicle. She described how her car struggled to start and then stalled, filling her garage with smoke. Marino expressed relief upon receiving a call from Circle K's insurance company, which promised to cover the cost of repairs and the rental car she needed in the interim.
Another driver, Angelica Garcia, shared her experience of filing a claim with Circle K. She provided receipts and other relevant documentation to support her claim. Circle K's insurance company requested this information to process her reimbursement for repairs and associated costs. The company emphasized its commitment to assisting affected customers and encouraged anyone impacted to contact their customer service line.
Circle K's response to this incident demonstrates its commitment to standing by the quality of its fuels and ensuring customer satisfaction. The company worked closely with its insurance provider to address the claims and provide relief to affected customers. This incident highlights the importance of proper fuel handling and the potential consequences when mistakes occur.
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A third-party carrier was responsible for the diesel fuel mix-up
Nicole Marino, one of the affected drivers, reported more than $6,000 in repairs for her car. She described how her car "stuttered and went out, and there was just smoke all over my garage." Another driver, Angelica Garcia, shared her experience, saying, "I put $20 in, drove about five miles down the road, and my car started jerking like it was going to run out of gas."
Circle K promptly shut down the fuel pumps at the location and issued a statement expressing their commitment to helping affected customers with their claims. They apologized for the incident and assured customers that they would reimburse them for any repairs and associated costs. About 50 drivers reported damage to their vehicles and initiated the claims process.
While Circle K guarantees the quality of its fuels, they acknowledged that issues can sometimes occur. The company encouraged customers to report any problems as soon as possible so that their claims department could review and address them. Circle K also offered to cover the costs of rental cars for affected customers during the repair process.
This incident highlights the potential consequences of fuel mix-ups and the importance of proper fuel handling and distribution. It is crucial for fuel providers to have stringent measures in place to prevent such incidents from occurring and to promptly address and rectify any issues that may arise.
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Circle K vows to reimburse customers for repairs and associated costs
Circle K has vowed to reimburse customers for repairs and associated costs after a diesel fuel mix-up at one of its stores in Phoenix left dozens of vehicles damaged. The incident occurred when a third-party carrier accidentally put diesel fuel into the unleaded gasoline storage tank and unleaded gasoline into the diesel tank. This resulted in about 25 drivers filling up with the wrong type of fuel and experiencing car trouble.
One affected driver, Nicole Marino, reported more than $6,000 in repairs after her car filled with smoke. "I turned the key, and it kind of started a little bit, and then just stuttered and went out, and there was just smoke all over my garage," she said. Marino was relieved when Circle K's insurance company called and vowed to cover the cost of repairs and a rental car.
Circle K released a statement apologizing for the incident and committing to helping affected customers with their claims. "We sincerely apologize to anyone affected by this accident, and we are committed to helping them with their claims," the company said. "After reviewing and verifying their information, we will reimburse affected customers for any repairs and associated costs related to this incident."
Customers who believe they have been affected by this issue are advised to contact Circle K's customer service line at 1-855-276-1947 within two days to initiate the claims process. Circle K will then provide information on the required support documentation, and once this has been satisfactorily provided, the company will work with customers on reimbursing necessary repairs and associated costs attributable to the incident.
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About 25 drivers reported damage to their vehicles after filling up at Circle K
In February 2025, about 25 drivers reported damage to their vehicles after filling up at a Circle K gas station in Phoenix, Arizona. The issue was caused by a mix-up in the fuel storage tanks, with diesel fuel mistakenly put into the unleaded gasoline tank and vice versa. This resulted in dozens of vehicles being filled with the wrong type of fuel, causing significant damage.
One of the affected drivers, Nicole Marino, reported that her car suffered more than $6,000 in repairs due to the mix-up. When she tried to start her car, it initially started but then stalled and produced smoke. The service department at Avondale Nissan informed her that her tank was full of diesel fuel. Marino received a call from Circle K's insurance company, who agreed to cover the cost of repairs and provide her with a rental car during the repairs.
Angelica Garcia, another affected driver, expressed frustration at the delay in resolving her claim. She had to miss work and rely on others for rides while her SUV was waiting for repairs. Clarissa Amoroso, who filled up her gas tank at the same Circle K location, experienced immediate problems with her 2010 Mitsubishi Galant, which held sentimental value for her.
Circle K released a statement apologizing for the incident and committing to helping affected customers with their claims. The company shut down the fuel pumps at the location as soon as they became aware of the situation. They also stated that they would reimburse customers for any repairs and associated costs related to the incident. However, some drivers reported delays in receiving reimbursement and resolving their claims.
The number of claims reported to Circle K over this fuel mix-up initially doubled to about 50 and eventually grew to 60. The incident caused significant inconvenience and financial burden to the affected drivers, highlighting the importance of proper fuel handling and quality control at gas stations.
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Circle K's diesel fuel mix-up left dozens of vehicles damaged
In February 2025, a Circle K gas station in Phoenix, Arizona, mistakenly put diesel fuel into its regular gas pumps, leading to dozens of vehicles being damaged. The issue occurred when a third-party carrier accidentally put diesel fuel into the unleaded gasoline storage tank and unleaded gasoline into the diesel tank.
This mix-up, referred to as a "cross drop", resulted in numerous claims from affected customers, with some requiring thousands of dollars' worth of repairs to their vehicles. Nicole Marino, one of the impacted drivers, faced more than $6,000 in repairs after her car started stuttering and filled her garage with smoke. She received a check for about $6,200 from Circle K to cover the cost of repairs and a rental car.
Angelica Garcia, another affected driver, described how her SUV broke down after driving a few miles: "I put $20 in, drove about five miles down the road and my car started jerking like it was going to run out of gas." She is still awaiting a resolution from Circle K's insurance company, which has requested receipts related to the incident.
Circle K has apologized for the incident and stated that they are committed to helping customers with their claims. They have advised impacted customers to contact their customer service line to initiate the claims process and receive reimbursement for repairs and associated costs.
This is not an isolated incident, as a similar mix-up occurred at a Circle K station in Avon, Ohio, in January 2025. Several customers unknowingly filled their vehicles with the wrong fuel type, leading to car trouble and costly repairs. Circle K has emphasized its commitment to fuel quality and working with customers to resolve issues related to their fuel.
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