December 22, 2025 – A recent incident report highlights a serious safety concern involving TruFuel 4-cycle fuel in 110-ounce cans, with consumers reporting leaks that create a significant fire hazard in residential settings. The manufacturer, Calumet, Inc., is reportedly unresponsive to consumer complaints regarding this issue.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On November 19, 2025, an incident was reported concerning TruFuel 4-cycle fuel in 110-ounce cans. A consumer experienced two separate instances where fairly new 110-ounce cans leaked completely, emptying their contents. The cans were initially stored in the consumer’s garage. The presence of a strong fuel odor upon returning home prompted the consumer to discover the leaks. As a precautionary measure, the leaking cans were promptly moved outside.
The consumer initiated contact with TruFuel to report the problem on October 22, 2025, and followed up with multiple emails and photographic evidence on October 22, October 24, October 26, and November 6, 2025. The provided pictures clearly depicted the leaking can on a blue shop towel, demonstrating the extent of the issue. Despite these repeated attempts to report the potential hazard, the consumer stated that TruFuel has been “non-responsive.” Fortunately, no injuries occurred in this incident, but the consumer expressed grave concern over the fire hazard, particularly noting the proximity of the stored fuel to a gas water heater pilot flame. The consumer relies on TruFuel for outdoor power equipment to prevent fuel spoilage in carburetors.
Safety Concerns
The reported leakage of TruFuel 4-cycle fuel cans poses a severe and immediate fire hazard to consumers and their property.
- Immediate Dangers: Gasoline and its vapors are highly flammable. Leaking fuel, especially in an enclosed space like a garage or shed, can rapidly create an explosive atmosphere. Even a small spark from electrical equipment, a pilot light from an appliance (like a water heater, furnace, or dryer), or static electricity could ignite the vapors, leading to a flash fire or explosion. The consumer’s specific concern about a gas water heater pilot flame is particularly relevant, as fuel vapors are heavier than air and can travel along the floor to an ignition source.
- Long-Term Risks: Undetected leaks can lead to prolonged exposure to fuel fumes, which can be harmful if inhaled. Continued storage of defective cans increases the risk of a delayed ignition event, potentially occurring when no one is present to respond quickly.
- Who Might Be Affected: Homeowners, family members, children, and pets are all at risk of injury or exposure. First responders, if called to a fuel-related incident, also face elevated risks.
- Property Damage Potential: A fire originating from leaking fuel could cause extensive and irreparable damage to garages, homes, vehicles, and other valuable property, leading to significant financial losses and potential displacement.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own TruFuel 4-cycle fuel, particularly the 110-ounce cans, should take immediate precautions:
- Immediate Steps: If you detect a strong fuel odor or notice any signs of leakage from your TruFuel cans, do not attempt to move them indoors or clean up without proper ventilation. Immediately move the leaking can to a safe, well-ventilated outdoor area, far away from any ignition sources (e.g., open flames, pilot lights, electrical outlets, heaters, hot surfaces). Do not store leaking cans in your home, garage, or any enclosed structure.
- How to Check: Regularly inspect your TruFuel 4-cycle fuel cans for any visible signs of damage, wetness, discoloration, or a strong fuel smell. Pay close attention to seams and caps.
- Prevention Measures: Always store fuel in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, specifically designed for flammable liquids, and away from living spaces and all potential ignition sources. Consider using a secondary containment tray for fuel cans to catch any potential leaks.
- Reporting Procedures: If you experience a similar incident, report it immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. Also, attempt to report the issue directly to Calumet, Inc. (the manufacturer of TruFuel), documenting all communication attempts with dates, times, and details, including any photographs or videos.
Manufacturer’s Response
As of the date of this report, the manufacturer, Calumet, Inc., has not provided a response to the consumer’s reported issue or the wider potential safety concern. The consumer explicitly stated that TruFuel has been “non-responsive” to their repeated attempts to report the issue, which included multiple emails and photographic evidence.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.