Many motorists have suddenly broken down in recent days, after refueling at the service stations of a well-known distributor. The cause was faulty fuel which damaged their engines.
On December 9, 2024, dozens of motorists in Normandy found themselves stranded after refueling at several Total and Access stations of the oil group TotalEnergies. The cause: water had infiltrated the Sans-Plomb 95 distributed in a dozen of the oil group’s stations, causing a series of mechanical breakdowns. From the first kilometers after refueling, the affected vehicles began to show signs of malfunction, forcing their drivers to make an emergency stop.
This problem, linked to water infiltration into the fuel tanks, occurred at service stations located mainly in Seine-Maritime, Eure and Calvados. The Normandy refinery, where the fuel concerned comes from, pointed to the extreme weather conditions of the previous weekend, marked by violent winds and heavy rain. These bad weather conditions would have allowed water to seep into a fuel tank, thus contaminating the fuel dispensed.
The breakdowns created serious traffic jams, particularly around Le Havre, where many vehicles found themselves stopped in the middle of traffic. Philippe, a repairer in the region, said he had to intervene on more than thirty cars, all victims of the same problem after a full tank of Unleaded 95-E10. This type of incident can cause serious damage to engines, sometimes requiring costly repairs, such as completely draining the tank and replacing certain mechanical parts.
TotalEnergies took rapid measures to manage the crisis. The company not only stopped the distribution of Sans-Plomb 95 at the affected stations, but it also announced that it would reimburse defective fill-ups as well as the associated repairs of damaged vehicles.
However, affected motorists must follow a very specific procedure to obtain compensation. It is essential to contact TotalEnergies customer service on 09 70 80 86 51, available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. During this call, it is important to have proof of purchase available, such as receipts and any proof of use at the station. These documents will validate the coverage of costs.
This unfortunate incident, and fortunately very rare, reminds us that even large groups like TotalEnergies are not immune to problems linked to weather conditions. Fortunately, the company reacted quickly, and for drivers, the main thing now is to follow the procedure to be compensated and get back on the roads with peace of mind. To avoid similar failures in the future, drivers are advised to pay attention to any unusual signs after refueling, such as engine jerks or warning lights. If such symptoms appear, it is best to stop riding immediately and seek professional help.