Bad gasoline causing problems for Shelby County drivers
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – A Shelby County alderwoman and business owner says she got bad gasoline at a Memphis gas station.
Now, Monique Williams says it’s costing her thousands of dollars in damages.
Last Tuesday, Monique Williams did what many of us have done—stopped for gas before heading home.
But she didn’t expect to run into this problem while pumping in the rain.
“I was just blown away,” said Monique Williams. “That $25.00 worth of gas is now costing me $1,200 to get my car back.”
A video Williams shared with Action News 5 shows gasoline and water emptied out from her fuel tank.
She says the gas was from this BP on Jackson Avenue in Memphis. The next day, she says her BMW began having problems.
“It started shaking and vibrating and I cut it off,” said Williams. “I’m like, ‘Oh my goodness’, I don’t know what happened. Maybe I got some bad gas because that’s the only difference. It was running fine prior to that.”
Her car is in a repair shop now.
Williams says she spoke with a manager and the owner of the gas station, who didn’t take responsibility for the bad gas, and instead put a piece of paper on the pump she used and then told her to call the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
The spokesperson with the Department of Agriculture confirmed to Action News 5 that they have a report on file, sent out an investigator, and pulled a sample.
The spokesperson also says the Marathon Gas station in Cordova on Dexter Road had to stop selling gas because of multiple complaints. The state says three “Stop Sales” were issued after the department received eight complaints between November 27, 2024, and January 27, 2025. They also say seven inspections were conducted, and seven samples were sent for testing – results are pending.
If you believe you paid for bad gasoline, the state cannot help you recover expenses, but you can take legal action to collect the money you’ve lost.
The state will provide drivers with site inspections and lab analysis reports to support the claim.
That’s exactly what Williams says she plans to do.
It’s probably happened to a lot of people,” said Williams. “I feel a responsibility for the citizens, even though I don’t live in Memphis, that justice should be served.”
If you suspect a problem with fuel you got from a gas station, alert the state Department of Agriculture immediately.
You can call their fuel quality hotline at 1-800-OCTANE1.
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