Female driver in near vicinity of atm machine at local bank when another vehicle pulled out, requiring quick reaction and applying hard braking action. The brake pedal reacted with a sudden loss of pressure and a spongy feel. Driver attempted to drive 4 miles to home and resulted in a total loss of brake pressure with pedal traveling to floor. Visual observation by vehicle owner discovered chaffing contact and subsequent failure of brake line with windshield wiper drive bar located under hood. The brake line chaffed is one of four lines leaving the master brake cylinder and contact made with drive bar of wiper system in the area of brake line containing metal braid on a small flexible length. Hose diameter approximately.50. Vehicle owner is an aerospace design engineer and recognizes that failure is a vehicle design issue due to inadequate clearance between brake line and wiper drive bar. This is a safety related failure.

- West Chester, OH, USA