# 1994 MERCURY TOPAZ — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
> NHTSA complaint `480744` · 2004-06-21 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** MERCURY
- **Model:** TOPAZ
- **Year:** 1994
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
- **Miles at failure:** 83,800
- **Speed:** 65 mph
## Narrative
MY DAUGHTER IS CURRENTLY DRIVING A 1994 MERCURY TOPAZ GS THAT I HAVE REGISTERED WITH FORD MOTOR.  LAST WEEK SHE EXPERIENCED A FRONT WHEEL ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF AN OVERHEATING BRAKE.  THE BRAKE WAS REPAIRED AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SPLASH SHEILD THAT IS NEXT TO THE ROTOR WAS MADE OF A PLASTIC TYPE COMPOSITE THAT OVERHEATED AND BURST INTO FLAME. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A BURNED TIRE AND SUBSEQUENT BLOWOUT AND ACCIDENT.  I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT.*AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*