Bad fuel at the pump: State records reveal confirmed problems at 37 North Carolina stations

Drivers generally have no way to know whether gasoline or diesel is contaminated before they put it into their vehicles. In some cases, the first warning comes when the engine begins sputtering, warning lights appear, or the vehicle stops running.

In the past year and a half, 5 On Your Side has investigated multiple Triangle-area gas stations where contaminated or mixed-up fuel reportedly damaged drivers’ vehicles.

To understand the broader scope of the problem, 5 On Your Side reviewed North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services fuel-quality complaint records dating from January 2022 through June 2026.

The records list more than 100 consumer complaints involving stations across North Carolina. State inspectors confirmed a fuel-quality problem during 37 station investigations.

List of complaints involving gas stations in NC

The remaining complaints were listed as “not confirmed.” That does not necessarily establish that the fuel was safe when it was originally sold. In some cases, inspectors reported that the suspected fuel had already been removed or replaced before they arrived and could no longer be tested.

Inspectors found fuel mix-ups and contamination

The confirmed cases included water or sediment in fuel, gasoline that failed quality standards, and cross-deliveries in which gasoline and diesel were placed into the wrong tanks.

At Southern Woods and Waters, located at 3405 N.C. Highway 242 in Benson, the state received a November 2023 complaint about a possible delivery of diesel into the station’s premium gasoline tank.

When an inspector arrived, the station had covered its premium and midgrade buttons and was selling regular gasoline only.

Testing found phase separation in samples collected from the premium underground storage tank. Samples associated with the station’s premium and blended midgrade gasoline also failed state distillation standards.

The inspector additionally found that the station’s highway diesel had a flash point below the minimum allowed level. A low flash point can indicate that diesel has been contaminated with a more volatile fuel, such as gasoline.

The state issued notices of violation for the premium, blended midgrade and highway diesel products.

The state’s summary of complaint records describes the Benson incident as a confirmed case of “diesel in premium and gas in diesel.”

Diesel failed testing at Garner station

In March 2023, the state investigated a complaint involving diesel sold at Family Fare #298, located at 5460 N.C. Highway 42 in Garner.

The customer reported water in the diesel fuel.

Inspectors found about one-quarter inch of water in the station’s highway diesel storage tank. A sample collected from one diesel pump contained light sediment and tested below the required minimum flash point.

The station’s gasoline and kerosene samples passed the tests performed during the inspection.

The statewide complaint list identifies the diesel problem at the Garner station as confirmed.

Water and sediment found at Knightdale Refuel

A complaint filed in April 2024 led inspectors to Refuel #174 at 7202 Knightdale Boulevard in Knightdale.

The customer reported purchasing bad diesel from Pump 2.

State testing found sediment in diesel collected from Pumps 2 and 8. The Pump 2 sample also contained water and appeared cloudy. Both samples failed flash-point testing, even after inspectors repeated the tests.

Inspectors also found one-tenth of an inch of water in the diesel storage tank. The station’s gasoline samples passed the tests conducted during the inspection.

The state classified the diesel complaint as confirmed.

Other stations acknowledged delivery mistakes

Not every fuel mix-up could be confirmed through state testing.

In March 2025, the state received nine complaints involving Refuel #189 on Laura Duncan Road in Apex. Eight involved regular gasoline, and one involved midgrade.

The state reported that testing could not confirm the complaints because the product had already been removed. However, the station told inspectors there had been a cross-delivery of diesel into the regular gasoline tank and gasoline into the diesel tank.

A similar situation occurred at Speedway #6973 on Capital Boulevard in Wake Forest in June 2026. State records say testing did not confirm the complaint because the product had already been removed, but the station reported a misdelivery of diesel into its regular gasoline tank.

These cases demonstrate a limitation of the complaint data: If a station removes or remediates the fuel before inspectors can collect samples, the state may be unable to independently verify what drivers purchased.

How North Carolina investigates fuel complaints

The Department of Agriculture’s Fuel Quality Program says it investigates more than 200 consumer complaints in an average year.

After receiving a complaint, the state assigns an inspector to collect samples from the station’s pumps, examine its underground storage tanks, and review delivery and maintenance records.

If a product fails state standards, the inspector issues a notice of violation and closes that product for sale. The station must correct the problem, and the fuel must pass a reinspection before it can legally be sold again.

Fuel-quality inspector Valerie Thoms said problems like cross-deliveries do not happen every day, but they can cause significant and expensive damage.

“It doesn’t happen every day, but obviously it happens,” Thoms said. “That’s why we exist, to catch stuff like this, so that we can make sure everything looks good for the customer.”

What drivers should do after buying suspected bad fuel

Drivers cannot reliably identify contaminated fuel just by looking at a pump. Thoms recommends always getting a receipt because it documents where, when, and how much fuel was purchased.

Drivers who suspect a fuel problem should:

Stop driving the vehicle if it begins running poorly after refueling. Save the fuel receipt or electronic purchase record. Record the station’s name, address, pump number, fuel grade, and purchase time. Have a mechanic document the suspected contamination and preserve a fuel sample when possible. Save photographs, towing records, repair estimates, and invoices. Notify the station and request that it open a claim. File a fuel-quality complaint with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as soon as possible.

The state accepts fuel-quality complaints online⁠ or by calling its Fuel Quality Laboratory at 984-236-4770. (ncagr.gov⁠)

Reporting is important because fuel may be removed, replaced, or diluted before an inspector arrives. Without a timely complaint and a remaining sample to test, the state may be unable to confirm what was in the tank when a driver filled up.

“Just know that we’re out here,” Thoms said. “If you have issues with your vehicle, that’s what we’re here for to help you out.”