Drivers Believed They Were Refueling, But Received a Different Substance Instead | Carscoops

      A typical refueling at a Sam's Club gas station left numerous drivers facing broken vehicles and increasing repair costs.

      On July 10, 2025, at 11:50, Brad Anderson reported that a Sam's Club location in Ohio mistakenly pumped diesel into tanks meant for regular gasoline.

      Unaware of the mistake, drivers filled their cars with diesel, resulting in malfunctions and damage.

      The company acknowledged that the incident happened during a tank refueling last Saturday.

      In St. Clairsville, Ohio, some customers received an unwelcome surprise during a routine gas stop: diesel fuel was dispensed into vehicles designed for regular unleaded fuel. This fuel mix-up occurred at a Sam’s Club station, where several patrons inadvertently filled up with diesel instead of 87 octane gasoline, causing vehicle damage and subsequent repair bills.

      The store, while recognizing the frustration caused, assured affected customers that it intends to "resolve everything" for those who file a claim.

      It has been reported that the problems began last Saturday, but they did not come to light until later in the day when several customers took to social media to express their grievances. One individual mentioned that her brother-in-law had filled his truck at the Sam’s Club only to discover that it wouldn’t start afterward.

      Reports began circulating that diesel fuel had mistakenly been mixed with the unleaded 87 supply. Sam’s Club confirmed on Saturday that this was indeed the case, explaining that the mix-up occurred during the refilling of the underground diesel and unleaded tanks. According to News Nation, the issue gained attention only after drivers began facing problems and shared their experiences online.

      Cat Litchko, the manager of the involved Sam’s Club, is urging customers to contact the store and submit claims. They will be required to provide their name, phone number, membership number, date and time of purchase, pump number, along with their vehicle's make, model, and year.

      Steven Zapata, the director of corporate communications for Sam's Club, stated that the company is "actively working to address this situation and is committed to making things right for our affected members."

      When diesel is accidentally placed in a gasoline-powered vehicle, it can lead to complications. Diesel fuel is more viscous than gasoline and does not ignite in the same manner within engines that are designed for regular gas. If diesel is introduced into a gasoline engine, the fuel tank must be emptied, and the system needs to be cleaned to avoid further damage. Diesel can block the fuel filter and may reach the injectors as well.

      Although this type of mistake is inconvenient, it typically causes less harm than the opposite scenario—introducing gasoline into a diesel engine, which can result in significant engine damage.