Drivers face claims delays after fuel mix-up at Circle K station in Phoenix
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The number of vehicles damaged in a fuel mix-up at a Phoenix gas station in February has grown to 60, and On Your Side has learned some drivers are still waiting for claims to be paid.
For Clarissa Amoroso, her 2010 Mitsubishi Galant is more than just a car.
“My dad and I rebuilt it, and I’ve done all the wrench time on it, so it’s sentimental,” she said.
When her father passed away, Amoroso inherited the car and relies on it. At least, she did.
On Feb. 9, Amoroso filled up her gas tank at the Circle K on 75th Avenue and Thomas Road. Almost immediately, there was a problem.
“I coasted in,” she said. “It started cutting in and out and acting like it wasn’t getting fuel.”
Amoroso had no idea what was wrong until she started scrolling through social media.
“My girlfriend posted an article from your guys’ news team about a cross-drop,” she said.
Suddenly, everything made sense.
As On Your Side reported, a third-party carrier put diesel fuel into the unleaded gasoline storage tank underground and unleaded gasoline into the diesel tank. Dozens of drivers filled up with the wrong fuel before the problem was discovered and pumps were shut down.
“Every time I call, they say it’s going to be two more weeks, oh it could take 30 days, and it’s like they’re reading from a script,” Amoroso said. “It is very stressful. It’s a lot on your shoulders when you’re the breadwinner in your family, and it’s very frustrating, just feeling like you’re not being heard and that’s what hurts the most. At least communicate.”
Matthew Silva’s car was also damaged.
“The spark plugs, the coils, the whole GDI system had to be replaced, fuel pumps, pretty much anything that had to do with the gas,” he said.
Silva couldn’t wait for the claims process and paid for about $4,300 worth of repairs out of his own pocket.
“We were initially told through an email that it could take up to 14 days for the claims department to reach out to us,” he said. “It’s been past that.”
On Your Side asked Circle K why some people have struggled to get through the claims process. In an email, a spokesperson for the company wrote “We know it’s frustrating to be without your vehicle for any length of time, which is why we take all claims seriously and evaluate each of them carefully, and we always work to reimburse customers as quickly as possible once we receive required documentation to validate their claim.”
After On Your Side reached out, Silva was reimbursed for repairs. Amoroso was, too.
“It feels miraculous,” Amoroso said. “After you guys reached out, it was very responsive.”
According to Amoroso, Circle K got her car towed, covered a rental car and repairs, and provided her with two weeks of lost wages.
“I just thank you guys so much, being able to get in touch with them and see things along a little bit faster for me,” she said. “I appreciate you guys so much.”
Circle K says of the claims that have yet to be reimbursed, the company is likely waiting on documentation to be able to finalize payments.
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