Seven Circle K stations across Southwest Florida quietly shut down their pumps after drivers started complaining their cars were choking on bad fuel, with the chain confirming its Bradenton location was among those hit. Crews were sent out to drain, scrub and refill the affected underground tanks, and the company says the sites only reopened once testing showed the problem had been fixed. In the meantime, some unlucky motorists reported smoking engines, stalling and breakdowns that turned into pricey repair jobs.
In a statement to Gulf Coast News Now, Circle K blamed a fuel-quality issue on a third-party supplier, saying several of its retail locations were affected. According to the company, it halted fuel sales at those sites while the storage tanks were emptied, cleaned and refilled with fresh product, then resumed normal operations once testing confirmed the fix. Drivers who ran into car trouble after filling up were told to call Circle K's claims line at 1-855-276-1947.
As reported by Englewood Review, the problem stations stretch from Bradenton through Fort Myers down to Punta Gorda. The outlet urges anyone who thinks they pumped contaminated fuel to hang on to receipts and any diagnostic paperwork from repair shops. Local mechanics told reporters they are seeing misfiring, heavy exhaust smoke and cars that simply will not stay running, and that fuel-system flushes and tank cleanings can be slow, labor-intensive and expensive.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says it partnered with Circle K to swap out the bad fuel and clean the tanks, and the agency is asking drivers to file complaints by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA or using its website, as reported by WTSP. Those state testing reports can become key paperwork for drivers trying to back up repair or insurance claims.
This flare-up comes on the heels of a January mess on the Suncoast, when a Circle K in Nokomis acknowledged that diesel had been mistakenly delivered into a gasoline tank, leaving a line of drivers with malfunctioning vehicles and fresh repair bills. WWSB reported that an insurance expert said damage from fuel contamination is often covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto policy, although motorists still need to double-check their coverage and keep all documentation.
What Drivers Should Do
If you suspect your last fill-up was bad, experts say do not keep driving on it. Instead, avoid running the engine, save the original fuel receipt and have the vehicle towed to a mechanic who can document suspected contamination. Circle K is steering affected customers to its claims line at 1-855-276-1947 and, according to Gulf Coast News Now, state testing reports can bolster any reimbursement claim. Photos of dashboard warning lights and written repair estimates are also worth collecting to support your case.
Consumer Claims And Next Steps
As Englewood Review notes, drivers should keep every repair invoice and ask mechanics to explicitly mention fuel contamination on estimates and final bills, since those details are crucial when filing claims. Submitting a complaint to FDACS creates an official paper trail that can help when requesting state testing results or documentation from fuel vendors.
Circle K says it is still gathering information and reviewing reports from drivers, and encourages anyone who believes their vehicle was affected to call the company claims line or alert FDACS so the incident is formally logged. Motorists around Bradenton, Fort Myers and the rest of Southwest Florida are urged to check their receipts, watch for warning lights and report problems quickly so testing, documentation and any possible reimbursements do not get bogged down.
