2017 Subaru Outback — Brake Pad & Rotor Specs

As an ASE-certified master technician, I’ve serviced countless fifth-generation Subaru Outbacks. The 2017 Outback is a dependable, go-anywhere family hauler, but its adventurous lifestyle often translates to accelerated brake wear—especially if you’re frequently loading up for weekend camping trips or navigating steep mountain passes.

Whether you are a seasoned DIYer prepping for a weekend brake job or an owner who just wants to be educated before heading to the shop, having the correct torque specs, part numbers, and measurements is critical for a safe and effective repair. Note that specs can vary slightly between the 2.5L and 3.6R models, so always double-check with your dealer or a factory service manual before ordering parts.

Quick reference

Here is the essential brake specification data for the 2017 Subaru Outback (specs generally apply to the 2.5L model; 3.6R trims may vary slightly).

How to choose pads

Selecting the right brake pad material for your 2017 Outback depends heavily on how you use the vehicle.

• Ceramic Pads: This is the standard for most Outback owners and matches the OEM formulation. Ceramic pads offer incredibly quiet operation, low brake dust (keeping those alloy wheels clean), and long pad life. Brands like Akebono (the OEM supplier for many Japanese makes) are fantastic choices for daily driving and light trail use.
• Semi-Metallic Pads: If you do a lot of towing or live in a mountainous region where brake fade is a concern, semi-metallic pads are worth considering. They have a stronger initial bite and dissipate heat much better than ceramics. The trade-off is more brake dust, increased rotor wear, and the potential for a little more brake squeal.
• Heavy Duty / Towing Pads: Brands like Power Stop offer specific "Z36 Truck & Tow" or heavy-duty pad-and-rotor kits. If you are maxing out your Outback’s towing capacity or have added hundreds of pounds of overland gear and larger tires, upgrading to a heavy-duty friction material will dramatically improve your stopping power.

Typical service life

Under normal driving conditions, the 2017 Subaru Outback front brake pads typically last between 40,000 and 60,000 miles. Rear pads usually last a bit longer—around 50,000 to 70,000 miles—though Subaru’s electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) system utilizes the rear brakes actively to prevent nose-dive, meaning the rears can wear out faster than you might expect on an older vehicle.

As for the "pad-slap" interval (replacing only the brake pads while leaving the old rotors on the vehicle), I highly advise against it unless your rotors are completely smooth, lack a prominent rust lip, and are well above the minimum machine thickness. Subaru rotors of this generation are somewhat prone to thickness variation (often called "warping"). A pad-slap on an unmachined, used rotor usually guarantees squeaking brakes and a pulsating pedal within a few thousand miles. Always resurface or replace the rotors.

Common brake issues for this generation

The fifth-generation (2015-2019) Outback has a few unique quirks when it comes to the braking system:

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB): This is the biggest hurdle for DIY mechanics. The 2017 Outback features an Electronic Parking Brake integrated into the rear calipers. Do not force the rear caliper piston back with a C-clamp. You must put the EPB into "maintenance mode" using a bidirectional scan tool, or manually reverse the electric motor on the back of the caliper. Forcing the piston will destroy the expensive EPB actuator.

Rotor Pulsation: As mentioned above, these heavy wagons can be hard on front rotors, especially when coming down long mountain grades. If your steering wheel shakes when applying the brakes at highway speeds, you have runout or thickness variation in the front rotors. Replacing them with high-quality, coated aftermarket rotors is the best fix.

Seized Slide Pins: Subaru calipers are notorious for seizing slide pins if they aren't serviced regularly. During every brake job, pull the slide pins out of the brackets, clean off the old grease, and re-lubricate them with a high-quality silicone brake paste.

Brake job cost estimate

If you have the tools and the know-how (particularly regarding the EPB system), a complete DIY brake job (pads and rotors for all four wheels) using premium aftermarket parts like Bosch or Akebono will run you about $250 to $350 in parts. A bottle of high-quality DOT 3 brake fluid for a flush will add another $10 to $15.

If you take your Outback to an independent shop or the dealership, expect to pay significantly more due to labor rates and OEM part markups. A standard front-axle pad and rotor replacement typically costs between $350 and $550. Doing both axles (front and rear) at a professional shop will generally range from $700 to $1,000+, depending on your location and the local labor rate.

Not comfortable dealing with the Electronic Parking Brake yourself? Don't risk breaking a caliper. Find a trusted brake shop on Repairius.