Jun 24, 2025
April 30 started like any other day for Jonathon Kirkwood.
The Oklahoma man was on his way to pick up his daughter from school when he stopped at the eExpress Thunder Plaza Travel Stop on South Choctaw Road to fill up his gas tank. Moments later, he was stranded on the side of the road — with about ten other drivers.
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“Immediately about a mile, two miles up the road, I broke down on the side of the road with about ten other people all stranded as well,” Kirkwood told KFOR.
The only thing they all had in common? They’d all filled up at the same gas station.
Bad gas caused thousands of dollars in damages
According to Kirkwood, a state fuel inspector who was at the gas station confirmed the issue: five inches of water had made its way into eExpress Thunder Plaza’s underground gas tank.
“I noticed that the state fuel inspector was there checking the gas and from there he told me that the gas station was at fault and he saw that they had five inches of water in their fuel tank,” Kirkwood shared with KFOR.
That contaminated fuel ended up costing Kirkwood more than $2,200 in vehicle repairs, not including the cost of the tow truck. He also missed several days of work while his truck was out of commission.
When Kirkwood contacted eExpress's customer service, the company offered just $1,000 — less than half of what he spent to repair his vehicle. Kirkwood declined the offer, asking for full reimbursement. The gas station said it would pass his information on to its insurance provider, but Kirkwood says he hasn’t heard a word since.
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While his vehicle is now fixed, he's still left paying the bills for damage he didn't cause.
“I would like them to reimburse me for everything that is coming out of pocket,” said Kirkwood. “There’s others out there that are having the same problem.”
KFOR reached out for comment, but eExpress corporate reportedly did not respond.
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What to do when you've filled up with bad gas
Putting water in a vehicle's gas tank can cause severe damage to the fuel system. In some cases, it can even cause complete engine failure.
If you suspect your car was damaged by contaminated fuel, here are a few steps you can take:
- Document everything: Keep your receipt from the gas station, get a written diagnosis from a mechanic stating bad gas caused the damage, and take photos of your vehicle's damage if possible.
- Talk to the gas station: The company may realize there is an issue and might be willing to cover the costs associated with the bad gas.
- Contact the gas station’s insurance provider: If the gas station won’t pay for damages or only offers partial reimbursement, ask for their liability insurance information and file a claim directly.
- File a complaint: In Oklahoma, you can report bad gas to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which oversees fuel quality. Most states have a similar agency. You can also file a complaint with your state attorney general’s office or the Better Business Bureau.
- Consider small claims court: If the gas station or insurer refuses to pay for damages, you may be able to take the business to small claims court. In Oklahoma, small claims court cases are capped at $10,000 and you typically don’t need a lawyer to file.
- Check your own insurance: If you carry comprehensive auto coverage, your insurer might cover repairs for contaminated fuel — though you’ll likely have to pay your deductible and may see higher premiums down the road.
Above all, stay persistent — when it comes to getting reimbursed, the squeaky wheel often gets the grease.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
