PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) – A Circle K in Phoenix left dozens of vehicles damaged after diesel fuel was mistakenly put into the regular gas pumps.
Nicole Marino is one of the affected drivers, saying the mix-up left her car with more than $6,000 in repairs.
“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.
The service department at Avondale Nissan had bad news for Marino.
“They called me and they’re like, ‘Your tank is full of diesel,’” she said. “I was like, ‘No way. I’m not [having] that kind of girl moment. That didn’t happen.’ But then when he asked if I’ve been to a Circle K, that’s when my gears started turning. Like, how did he know?”
According to Kyle Kreuziger, a service advisor at the dealership, another vehicle was towed to the dealership with the same problem – diesel fuel in the gas tank.
“It can do some damage for sure. It’s obviously not meant to be in there,” Kreuziger said. “From the fuel tank to the fuel injector, anything that diesel fuel touches can go out.”
Marino received a $6,125.85 quote for repairs.
“I don’t have that money,” she said. “I don’t even have a credit card limit big enough for that.”
Circle K confirmed to KPHO there was a mix-up, referred to as a “cross drop,” at the gas station at 75th Avenue and Thomas Road in Phoenix on Feb. 9.
According to the company, a third-party carrier accidentally put diesel fuel into the unleaded gasoline storage tank underground, and they put unleaded gasoline into the diesel tank.
“At Circle K, we guarantee and stand by the quality of our fuels. However, issues sometimes arise, and customers should report them as soon as possible to us for review by our claims department,” the company wrote in a statement. “As soon as we became aware of the situation, we shut down our fuel pumps at this location.”
About 25 drivers reported damage to their vehicles after filling up at that location.
Marino was relieved to receive a call from Circle K’s insurance company, vowing to cover the cost of repairs and the cost of the rental car Marino is using in the interim.
“I just want some normalcy again. It’s a lot of stress,” Marino said.
Circle K vowed to cover the costs of damages for any vehicles that need to be repaired, as well as cover the costs of rental cars in the meantime.
“We sincerely apologize to anyone affected by this accident, and we are committed to helping them with their claims. After reviewing and verifying their information, we will reimburse affected customers for any repairs and associated costs related to this incident,” the company said.
Nicole Marino is one of the affected drivers, saying the mix-up left her car with more than $6,000 in repairs.
“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.
The service department at Avondale Nissan had bad news for Marino.
“They called me and they’re like, ‘Your tank is full of diesel,’” she said. “I was like, ‘No way. I’m not [having] that kind of girl moment. That didn’t happen.’ But then when he asked if I’ve been to a Circle K, that’s when my gears started turning. Like, how did he know?”
According to Kyle Kreuziger, a service advisor at the dealership, another vehicle was towed to the dealership with the same problem – diesel fuel in the gas tank.
“It can do some damage for sure. It’s obviously not meant to be in there,” Kreuziger said. “From the fuel tank to the fuel injector, anything that diesel fuel touches can go out.”
Marino received a $6,125.85 quote for repairs.
“I don’t have that money,” she said. “I don’t even have a credit card limit big enough for that.”
Circle K confirmed to KPHO there was a mix-up, referred to as a “cross drop,” at the gas station at 75th Avenue and Thomas Road in Phoenix on Feb. 9.
According to the company, a third-party carrier accidentally put diesel fuel into the unleaded gasoline storage tank underground, and they put unleaded gasoline into the diesel tank.
“At Circle K, we guarantee and stand by the quality of our fuels. However, issues sometimes arise, and customers should report them as soon as possible to us for review by our claims department,” the company wrote in a statement. “As soon as we became aware of the situation, we shut down our fuel pumps at this location.”
About 25 drivers reported damage to their vehicles after filling up at that location.
Marino was relieved to receive a call from Circle K’s insurance company, vowing to cover the cost of repairs and the cost of the rental car Marino is using in the interim.
“I just want some normalcy again. It’s a lot of stress,” Marino said.
Circle K vowed to cover the costs of damages for any vehicles that need to be repaired, as well as cover the costs of rental cars in the meantime.
“We sincerely apologize to anyone affected by this accident, and we are committed to helping them with their claims. After reviewing and verifying their information, we will reimburse affected customers for any repairs and associated costs related to this incident,” the company said.
