What should have been a routine stop for gas turned into a costly headache for at least 14 drivers after filling up their tanks at a station in Avon, Ohio. On Jan. 19, a Circle K in Avon accidentally dispensed diesel fuel from pumps labeled for unleaded gasoline and vice versa, Cleveland station WOIO reported Friday. The mix-up, caused by an error during a fuel delivery, has left customers facing repair bills that reach into the thousands.
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How it happened
Circle K confirmed the incident in a statement, describing it as a “cross drop” error where diesel fuel was mistakenly deposited into an underground tank meant for unleaded gasoline, while unleaded gasoline ended up in the diesel tank. The misstep damaged consumer and commercial vehicles that filled up on the different fuel types.
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The pumps were shut down once the issue was discovered, but not before numerous drivers unknowingly filled their tanks with the wrong fuel. Circle K has since replaced the affected fuel and reopened the pumps, assuring customers that they are investigating claims for reimbursement.
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Expensive repairs and frustrated customers
The consequences of the mistake have been severe for many drivers. Scott Bauchmoyer, who filled up his 2022 Jeep Wagoneer at the station, noticed issues the next morning. “I jumped in the car to start it up, and it just started sputtering. Lights started flashing, and there was a giant puff of white smoke,” he told WOIO.
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After towing his vehicle to a dealership, mechanics found diesel in his gas tank and fuel lines. Bauchmoyer spent $1,100 on repairs that included flushing the tank, replacing spark plugs, and running cleaner through the system.
Another customer, a pickup driver who wished to remain anonymous, reported similar issues after inadvertently fueling his diesel-powered Ford F350 with unleaded gasoline. Mechanics warned that such errors could lead to long-term damage to catalytic converters and other components, with repair bills potentially exceeding $3,000.
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Circle K’s response
Circle K has pledged to reimburse affected drivers for repairs and related costs, provided claims are verified. “We apologize to any customers affected by this issue, and we are working to assist them with their claims,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
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Bauchmoyer said that Circle K asked for detailed information about his claim after he reached out to them about his Wagoneer, but he hasn’t heard back yet. Regulations regarding gas station inspections can vary from state to state. In Ohio, Weights and Measures departments are allowed to measure the amount of gas coming out of a pump to ensure its accuracy, but they cannot test the gas itself.
Final thoughts
While Circle K says the mix-up only lasted for a single day, questions remain about how frequently such errors occur. Data on this issue is hard to come by, but a quick Google search only turns up a handful of reported fuel mix-ups in a given year, so the risk to drivers is likely quite low. Still, that fact does little for the roughly 14 drivers affected by bad fuel in Ohio who face steep repair bills and drawn-out reimbursements.
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