How many brake pads does a Ford Fiesta have?
Most Ford Fiesta models have four brake pads in total: two pads on each front brake. The rear brakes are typically drum brakes that use shoes instead of pads, so they do not count toward the pad total.
This article explains the typical configurations and what to check for your specific model year and market, where braking setups can vary slightly.
Typical brake pad configurations for the Fiesta
Below are the common configurations you’re likely to encounter, depending on whether the rear brakes are drums or discs.
- Front brakes: each front wheel uses a pair of pads (one on each side of the disc), for a total of four pads on the front axle.
- Rear brakes: most Fiesta versions use drum brakes at the rear, which use brake shoes, not pads, so the pad count remains four unless your car has rear discs.
- Rear-disc variants: on a small minority of markets or newer generations, rear discs may be used, in which case there would be two pads per rear rotor, bringing the total to eight pads across all wheels.
Conclusion: eight pads are only expected if your Fiesta has rear disc brakes; most Fiests have four pads in total due to rear drum brakes.
Market and generation notes
In Europe and many other markets, many Ford Fiesta models from the late 2000s through the 2010s used front discs with rear drums. Some newer variants or specific trims may use rear discs. To be certain, check your owner’s manual, VIN-based specification, or inspect the rear brakes directly.
How to verify your car's braking setup
Look at the rear wheels to see whether the rotors are solid discs with a caliper (rear discs) or a drum housing; you can also check service records or the vehicle’s documentation. When in doubt, ask a qualified technician or use Ford's official specs for your VIN.
Summary
Most Ford Fiestas have four brake pads in total (two per front wheel), with rear brakes typically being drums using shoes. If your Fiesta has rear discs, the total pad count would be eight. Always confirm based on model year, market, and the exact braking system installed on your vehicle.
Are brake pads sold in sets of 2 or 4?
Brake pads for a car come in a set of four, which is the correct amount to replace both wheels on one axle (either the front or the rear). Each wheel requires two pads (an inner and outer pad), so a complete set for one axle includes four pads total.
This video explains how many brake pads are on each wheel of a car: 24sWhyingoYouTube · Jun 5, 2023
- Standard sets: A "set" of brake pads for a car contains four pads for one axle (two for the left wheel and two for the right wheel).
- Front vs. rear: You will need to purchase a separate set for the front axle and another set for the rear axle if you plan to replace all four wheels.
- Motorcycles: Brake pads for motorcycles may be sold in sets of two because some have only one caliper per axle.
Do cars have 4 or 2 brakes?
Most standard passenger cars have four brake rotors, one for each wheel. These include two front rotors and two rear rotors.
Do you need 2 or 4 brake pads?
Generally, your brake pads should all wear at the same time, which makes for an easy replacement. Typically, you should have both your front brake pads replaced at the same time, and your rear pads replaced at the same time, to ensure proper braking power.
Does the Ford Fiesta have rear brake pads?
Like most cars, your Ford Fiesta has 4 brake pads: two at the front and two at the back.
