From what I’ve seen, manufacturers are moving away from that setup. My 73 Vega was that setup. And every vehicle I owned until my wifes 07 Lexus was that way. Since then, all the vehicles we bought were 4-wheel disc. However they do have drum brakes for the emergency/parking brake.
You might have missed my wit there: Mopar stated that a combination of front disc rear drum brakes “will start being used”, when my 2005 Corolla came that way.
2019 was the last year for brake drums on a Corolla. Old brake systems are being or have been phased out.
You might have missed my wit there: Mopar stated that a combination of front disc rear drum brakes “will start being used”, when my 2005 Corolla came that way.
See, this is how fake news gets started and what BBC is being sued over, taking quote(s) and chopping them up to make it sound a way it was clearly not used in context, or taken out of context, you forgot the part about regenerative braking…
So yes, Rear drum brakes (NOT front) when used in conjunction with regenerative braking, and at a max, are used for 30% of the total braking (probably less than 20% in real life) will start being used more often (probably lower priced vehicles) for cost since a separate parking brake system is not required…
Your wifes 2005 Corolla does not have regenerative braking!!!
Try doing a little bit of research on the subject, like using Mr Google and type in “are drum brakes making a come back”, all kinds of articles about drums coming back when used in vehicles equipped with regenerative braking e.g. EV’s and (maybe) some Hybrids, but in lower cost vehicles and for added lowering emissions standards…
https://carbuzz.com/drum-brakes-old-safety-feature-making-a-comeback/

Why Brake Drums Could Make a Surprising Comeback Under New Emissions Rules
Meta description: Learn about the new Euro 7 emissions regulations and the potential return of brake drums to reduce brake emissions and improve air quality in urban areas.
Drumming is in again thanks to e-cars: The comeback of the drum brake | HELLA
Drum brakes are making a comeback and it’s all because of e-mobility – HELLA is now offering proven technology and modern quality for the rear axle of electric vehicles.
You might have missed my wit there: Mopar stated that a combination of front disc rear drum brakes “will start being used”
Mopar has been using that setup for DECADES. Where have you been.
I said only that that generation Corolla had front disc and rear drum brake config.
Don’t put words in my mouth. I never even brought up the subject of regenerative anything.
(@Carolyn, other admins: This is the toxic environment that discourages new members and existing members from participating)
Interesting stories about rear drums. Sounds like a good idea for certain applications (small EVs and hybrids), regenerative braking changes the optimal system design. Rear drums also simplifies emergency brakes, often there were small rear drums for that. Does nothing to change the need for front discs.
(Carolyn, other admins: This is the toxic environment that discourages new members and existing members from participating)
YOU
@ChrisTheTireWhisperer are causing this toxic environment that discourages existing members from participating
YOU
@ChrisTheTireWhisperer are causing this toxic environment that discourages existing members from participating
+1
Yesterday, he wanted us to remember that “we’re all Americans”, despite the reality that he has frequently posted statements that are insulting/disparaging to Americans.
I said only that that generation Corolla had front disc and rear drum brake config
NO YOU DID NOT!!!
Try reading my post again, maybe a few times so you will understand it more clearly, yeah I said more clearly lol…
You split up my statement by clearly removing the words regenerative braking from my sentence, so that it sounds like I was saying rear brakes are making a come back in general, when my whole post was about bringing back rear drum brakes for vehicles equipped with regenerative braking, and guess what, regenerative braking is an EV and hybrid thing, not a normal ICE thing..
On most any modern day automotive car, the rear brakes do less braking than the front brakes, like a max of 30%, generally, but most disc drum setups are more like 20% or less depending on adjustment is correct or not, add in regenerative braking to the equation and that % of rear braking force being used will drop even more, if cut in 1/2 then down to about 10-15% of the total braking force is used out back, so with that being said, rear drum brakes are more than capable in a lighter weight (small) EV or Hybrid as heavier vehicles require more braking force and will probably stick to 4 wheel disc brakes…
BTW or FYI, if you want to alert a post/thread to a mod/admin or anyone basically, then you will have to put the @ in front of their name…
regenerative braking is an EV and hybrid thing, not a normal ICE thing..
+1
And, I will note that, at 28k miles, my front pads measure 9 mm and the rear pads measure 8 mm, thanks in large part to the regenerative braking.
Safety systems (auto braking) and automatic parking brake used on modern cars favor the use of rear disc brakes.
Corolla hybrid and Prius (2010 forward) have rear disc brakes.
On the subject of the new VW bus. It uses these beautiful large rear drum brakes. Superior in this application and many others. I don’t know what more to say about all this really. There are facts upon facts and practical applications of drum brakes almost 13 years after some declared the drum brake obsolete.
The drum brake hasn’t gone anywhere and its not going to go anywhere. This is fact.
Why Drum Brakes on the Rear?
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Regenerative Braking: EVs use electric motors to slow down and recharge the battery (regenerative braking), meaning traditional friction brakes (discs or drums) are used less often, especially at the rear.
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Corrosion Resistance: The enclosed design of drum brakes protects the friction surfaces from water, dirt, and road grime, making them more resistant to rust and seizing compared to exposed disc brake rotors, says this Reddit thread.
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Cost & Efficiency: Drum brakes can be cheaper to manufacture and help reduce rolling resistance, contributing to better battery range.
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Performance After Disuse: They maintain better performance after long periods of inactivity, which is common in EVs that rely on regen braking.
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Electronic Parking Brake (EPB): The ID. Buzz’s drum brakes incorporate an electric motor for the EPB function.
You split up my statement by clearly removing the words regenerative braking from my sentence, so that it sounds like I was saying rear brakes are making a come back in general,
All I was saying, by using the 2005 Corolla as example, was that the front disc rear drum brake config. was not a new thing.
And I never made any statement for or against the use of drum technology.
That’s all.
@Old-Days-Rick you’re posting this solely for the benefit of ONE regular ![]()
@Old-Days-Rick you’re posting this solely for the benefit of ONE regular
Absolutely not. I started this thread almost 13 years ago and I have been steadfast on my beliefs. I don’t even believe that member was on here back then.
I don’t understand why its so hard for some people to accept that the drum brake has many merits and isn’t going anywhere at all.
Since after 13 years, this will never be completely resolved. Now can we go back to the “what’s the best oil” discussion?
Now can we go back to the “what’s the best oil” discussion?
I can imagine @Old-Days-Rick will probably say something like 15w40 or 20w50 is the best for every single vehicle on the road ![]()


