BP Overloaded With Whiting Refinery Fuel Recall Questions

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 22, 2012 4:40PM

BP recalled 2.1 million gallons of regular unleaded gasoline from its Whiting, Ind. refinery Tuesday because of a "higher than normal level of polymeric residue."

This has led to a rash of questions (some sincere, others sarcastic) about how a company recalls gasoline hitting our inbox. Let's try to assist.

Motorists who believe they've been affected by the fuel, which was delivered between Aug. 13-17, have options to call BP's toll-free customer hotline at 800-333-3991. The Morris Daily Herald spoke with motorists who are reporting wait times of over 100 minutes before speaking to an customer service representative, however.

Affected Motorists can try email and can find out more information by visiting bpresponse.com. The number of complaints of hard starts or cars not starting at all is now in the hundreds and the tainted fuel is believed to have reached as far north as Milwaukee.

BP spokesman Scott Dean said customers must submit a sales receipt and repair bill in order to start the process. If a purchase receipt wasn't kept, he said usually bank statements will show where and when the purchase was made for the company to research. Motorists have been asked to check with their insurance companies to see if claims can be filed.

Even then, some customers aren't happy with the hoops they have to pass through. Crown Point resident Elizabeth Paul told the Times of Northwest Indiana she's shelled out nearly $400 for a vehicle inspection, repairs and a rental car yet BP told her to call them once she sends in her bills.