When Did Carmakers Stop Using Drum Brakes?

There isn’t a single year when carmakers “stopped” putting drum brakes on cars. Front drum brakes were largely phased out in favor of front disc brakes by the late 1970s in the U.S. and most of Europe, but rear drum brakes remain common on budget models—and even some modern EVs—well into the 2020s. Below is how and why the transition unfolded, and where drum brakes still appear today.

Why There’s No Single Cutoff Year

The industry’s move from drum to disc brakes happened gradually, varying by region, vehicle class, and even trim level. Safety regulations and performance needs pushed the earliest adoption on the front axle—where most braking happens—while cost and packaging advantages kept drums on the rear axle of many mainstream cars for decades. Light trucks and some modern EVs have also extended the life of rear drums for practical reasons.

The Shift From Drums to Discs: A Timeline

The following milestones chart the broad transition from drum to disc brakes, showing how the change spread across segments and markets over time.

• 1950s–early 1960s: Disc brakes appear on high-performance and premium cars (notably in racing and on models like the Citroën DS), proving superior fade resistance.
• Mid-1960s–1970s: Front disc brakes spread rapidly across mass-market cars in the U.S. and Europe; by the late 1970s, front drums are rare on new passenger cars in these markets.
• 1980s: Four-wheel disc brakes become common on performance and luxury models; economy cars still typically use rear drums.
• 1990s–2000s: ABS and four-wheel discs proliferate, especially on higher trims; trucks/SUVs transition more slowly, and many retain rear drums for durability and cost.
• 2010s–2020s: Most new cars have front discs universally; four-wheel discs are widespread, but rear drums persist on entry-level models globally. Some EVs adopt rear drums to minimize corrosion and maintenance because regenerative braking reduces rear-brake usage.

Taken together, these milestones show a phased evolution: front drums mostly vanished by the late 1970s, while rear drums never fully disappeared and still serve specific roles today.

Why Rear Drum Brakes Persist

Despite discs’ performance advantages, rear drum brakes remain attractive in certain applications. Here are the main reasons manufacturers still use them.

• Cost and simplicity: Drums are cheaper to build and maintain, helping keep prices low on entry-level vehicles.
• Adequate performance on the rear axle: Because the front brakes do most of the work, rear drums generally meet braking requirements for everyday driving.
• Integrated parking brake: Drums incorporate a mechanical parking brake easily and inexpensively.
• Durability and low maintenance: In normal use—especially where regenerative braking reduces pad/shoe wear—rear drums can be long-lasting and less prone to rotor corrosion.
• Packaging: Drums can simplify rear-suspension packaging on some small cars and light trucks.

For these reasons, rear drums remain a rational engineering and cost choice in specific segments, even as four-wheel discs dominate performance and premium tiers.

Modern Vehicles That Still Use Rear Drum Brakes

To illustrate that drum brakes haven’t disappeared, here are representative examples from recent model years and markets where rear drums are used on at least some trims.

• Ford Maverick (U.S., recent model years): Uses rear drum brakes across the lineup.
• Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 (Europe and U.S., recent model years): Employ rear drum brakes designed to minimize corrosion in EV use.
• Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte (varies by trim, recent model years): Lower trims commonly feature rear drums in many markets.
• Nissan Versa (varies by trim, recent model years): Base trims often use rear drum brakes.
• Toyota Tacoma (U.S.): Used rear drums through the 2023 model year; the 2024 redesign switched to rear discs, underscoring how recently drums remained in mainstream use.
• Dacia Sandero/Logan (Europe, recent model years): Budget models widely retain rear drums.

These examples show that while four-wheel discs are prevalent, rear drums remain a current, real-world choice—especially on value-oriented models and select EVs.

Bottom Line

There was no single “stop year.” Front drum brakes effectively disappeared from new passenger cars by the late 1970s in major markets, but rear drums never fully left—and they are still fitted to a range of vehicles today for cost, durability, and engineering reasons.

Summary

Automakers did not cease using drum brakes in any one year. Front drums were largely phased out by the late 1970s, replaced by front discs across most new cars. Rear drums, however, continue in production—particularly on lower-cost models, some light trucks, and even certain EVs—thanks to their affordability, simplicity, and sufficient performance on the rear axle.

Which is safer, drum brake or disc brake?

Safety First: Regardless of cost considerations, safety should always be your priority. The superior stopping power of disc brakes can make a significant difference in emergency situations, potentially outweighing any cost savings from choosing drum brakes.

Why don’t they use drum brakes anymore?

Drum brakes are archaic – the concept has been around since Roman times. They have their advantages in some applications – slow heavy vehicles, chariot races – but disc brakes are hands down better for most automotive applications. Lower unsprung weight, better stopping power, and less heat fade.

When did cars stop using drum brakes?

Cars stopped using drum brakes as standard for front wheels in the 1970s, with a gradual transition through the 1980s and 1990s for rear wheels, but drum brakes are still used in some budget-friendly cars and as parking brakes. The shift was driven by the superior stopping power and heat dissipation of disc brakes, especially on the more heavily loaded front wheels.
 
Timeline of Drum Brake Decline

• 1950s: Disc brakes were introduced on high-end performance cars, like Jaguars that won races at Le Mans. 
• 1960s-1970s: Disc brakes became more common on front wheels as vehicles became heavier and faster, and performance demands increased. 
• 1980s: Drum brakes were phased out on the front wheels, becoming mainly a rear wheel or budget option. 
• 1990s-2000s: Disc brakes on the rear wheels became more common on many vehicles. 

Why Drum Brakes Are Still Used

• Cost: Drum brakes are cheaper to manufacture, making them a cost-effective option for budget vehicles. 
• Parking Brakes: The integrated parking brake system in a drum brake setup can be more efficient and cost-effective to produce than separate disc parking brake systems. 
• Rear-Wheel Application: Since most of a car’s braking is on the front wheels, less braking power is needed from the rear. 

Where Drum Brakes Are Found Today

• Budget Vehicles: You will still find drum brakes on the rear wheels of some entry-level cars. 
• Trucks and SUVs: Some trucks and SUVs continue to use rear drum brakes. 
• Parking Brakes: The “drum-in-hat” design, where drum brakes are housed within the center of a disc rotor, is still common for parking brakes. 

What year did they start putting disc brakes on cars?

Disc brakes emerged in the automotive world in the late 1940s and early 1950s, with Chrysler offering them as an option in 1949 and the Citroën DS being the first mass-produced car to have them as standard in 1955. They became popular due to their superior performance, especially in heat dissipation, and started replacing drum brakes as the top choice for new vehicles in the mid-1970s. 
Key Developments:

• Early Patents & Innovations: While patented by Frederick W. Lanchester in 1902 and developed for aircraft during World War II, the practical application of disc brakes in cars faced challenges with noise and friction materials. 
• Pioneering Adoption:
  • Chrysler was an early adopter in the American market, offering disc brakes on its luxury models starting in 1949. 
  • Jaguar introduced disc brakes on its racing cars in 1953. 
  • The 1955 Citroën DS marked the introduction of disc brakes to a widely produced, mass-market car. 
• Mainstream Transition:
  • Disc brakes offered better heat management and higher performance compared to older drum systems, making them ideal for faster, heavier cars. 
  • American manufacturers widely adopted front disc brakes in the mid-1970s, and the technology eventually became standard across most new vehicles.