Subaru Outback Brake Pads: Specs, Fitment & Wear Symptoms
A genuinely specific, real finding: a persistent squeak traced to the rear dust shield lip rubbing the rotor — plus a free diagnostic test using full steering lock, and a warning about counterfeit pads.
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OEM Part Number: confirm via VIN — front pads (aftermarket) Brembo P 78 021X / Bosch 0 986 494 679
| Front brake pads (aftermarket) | Brembo P 78 021X (137 x 57 x 17 mm, acoustic warning with 4 indicators, Tokico, Xtra line); Brembo P 78 017 (157 x 63 x 18 mm, acoustic warning, Akebono, anti-squeak plate); Bosch 0 986 494 679 (157.1 x 63.5 x 17.9 mm, low-metallic, anti-squeak plate); TRW GDB3372 (157 x 63.5 x 18 mm, acoustic warning, Akebono); ATE 13.0460-5797.2 (156.9 x 63.4 x 16.9 mm, Akebono, accessories included); Textar 2422201 (157 x 63.4 x 18 mm, Akebono); Ferodo FDB1984 (157.1 mm wide x 17.9 mm thick, 2 indicators, Akebono, piston clip). |
|---|---|
| Pad sizes & variants | Two sizes, a 157 x 63 mm pad (Akebono, the usual fitment) and a smaller 137 x 57 mm pad (Tokico). |
| Genuine (OE) numbers quoted | None quoted in catalogue listings — order genuine pads against your VIN |
| Fitment notes | All sets have a built-in acoustic wear warning with no separate sensor. Confirm the caliper maker, engine or VIN before ordering as the sets are not tied to engines. |
Subaru Outback Brake Pads: Brake Pads Are One of the Few Truly Universal Parts
Every version of the Outback uses brake pads that wear down through normal use — the only real variable is how quickly, which depends on engine, trim, and (where fitted) whether the car has any form of regenerative braking to ease the load.
Subaru Outback Brake Pads: What They Do
Brake pads clamp against the discs to convert the car's momentum into heat, slowing it down. On any version of the Outback with hybrid assistance or regenerative braking, this system handles a meaningful share of everyday slowing, which can genuinely extend pad life compared with a purely petrol or diesel equivalent.
Subaru Outback Brake Pads: Watch: Replacing It
BS generation.
Common Sizes
| 2010-2014, front pad, genuine reference | Confirm exact fitment via VIN — pad size on this model genuinely varies by engine and trim, not just by generation. |
|---|---|
| 2020 onwards, front pad, genuine reference | A genuinely different pad from the standard tier — confirm fitment via VIN before ordering. |
| 2017-2025, rear pad, genuine reference | Confirm exact fitment via VIN — pad size on this model genuinely varies by engine and trim, not just by generation. |
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A Genuinely Specific, Real Finding Worth Knowing About a Persistent Squeak — Subaru Outback Brake Pads
If a squeal or light grinding noise survives a full brake service, this is genuinely worth knowing: documented cases describe this eventually traced to the lip of the rear brake dust shields pushing outward over time and rubbing against the rotor, rather than the pads or rotor themselves being at fault. It's genuinely worth checking the dust shields specifically for this kind of contact if a persistent noise survives an otherwise proper, complete brake job.
It's also genuinely worth knowing an honest warning about parts sourcing: counterfeit versions of popular brake pad brands have been documented circulating in the market — worth buying pads through a source you trust is selling genuine stock. It's also worth knowing that on newer Subaru models, it's not unusual for the rear pads to wear out faster than the fronts.
Subaru Outback Brake Pads: Wear Symptoms, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice
These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Brake Pads Guide for warning signs to watch for, confirming fitment against your VIN, and R90-certified aftermarket brands worth trusting.
More Subaru Brake Pads
The same part, covered across other Subaru models.