Six customers have reported vehicle problems after buying potentially water-contaminated gasoline from a Sav-A-Stop petrol station in Chicago’s Morgan Park neighbourhood.
The station, near the junction of 111th Street and Racine Avenue on the city’s South Side, is understood to have had water enter its fuel system after a lid was cracked, according to owner Jeslin Jose.
One family said their daughter’s Mercedes-Benz began shaking and making loud noises about five miles after she left the station. The check-engine warning light came on before the car was towed to a dealership.
The family said testing found the fuel contained about 50 per cent water and estimated the resulting repairs at nearly $10,000. The claim has not been independently verified.
Mr Jose said the first complaint was made on 1 October and that the relevant authorities were notified. Fuel was subsequently removed from the affected lines as part of the clean-up operation.
“We are sorry. It was an accident,” Mr Jose said.
Ronnie Mosley, the alderman for Chicago’s 21st Ward, said the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection had been contacted. He said the plus and premium fuel lines appeared to be the only ones affected and would remain closed while repairs were completed and a further inspection carried out.
Regular unleaded fuel was still available, but drivers were advised not to buy premium or plus fuel from the station until the work had been resolved. Mr Mosley said business owners were responsible for checking fuel quality each night.
Mr Jose said insurance claims had been filed for all six customers who reported problems.
Customers who believe they bought contaminated fuel can report the matter to the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Motor Fuel Quality hotline on 1-800-582-0468. Complaints about suspected consumer fraud can also be made to the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud hotline on 1-800-386-5438.
