Ford Focus Mk3 Brake Pads: Specs, Fitment & Wear Symptoms
Confirmed genuine OEM part number references for the Mk3, cross-checked against disc and pad packages by engine.
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A Part Everyone Owns but Few Understand
Almost every Ford Focus Mk3 driver knows brake pads wear out eventually. Fewer know what the early warning signs actually sound and feel like, which is exactly why so many pads get replaced only after they've already started damaging the disc underneath.
A Genuine, Documented Ford Factory Fault Worth Ruling Out First — Ford Focus Mk3 Brake Pads
Before assuming any squeak means the pads need replacing, it's worth knowing about a genuine, documented Ford factory issue: pads fitted with insufficient grease on the caliper contact points during assembly can squeak persistently even when nowhere near worn out. Ford's own customer service has confirmed this specific cause on affected cars — the fix is removing the pads, cleaning the contact points, and applying correct silicone-based brake grease, which resolves it in the large majority of cases without needing new pads at all.
A Genuinely Important Detail on ST Models — Ford Focus Mk3 Brake Pads
Ford's OEM "sporty" performance brake pads — as fitted to the Focus ST — genuinely don't have the audible squeal wear indicator that standard pads use to warn you they need replacing. Owners need to check pad thickness visually through the wheel spokes, or watch the brake fluid reservoir level, rather than waiting for a warning noise that isn't coming on these specific pads.
Ford Focus Mk3 Brake Pads: What They Do
On the Ford Focus Mk3, brake pads clamp against the discs to convert the car's momentum into heat, slowing it down. They're a deliberately wearing part — designed to sacrifice themselves gradually rather than let the far more expensive disc take the damage.
OEM Part Number: 1223682
| 1.6 Ti-VCT petrol / 1.6 TDCi diesel (standard front pads) | Ford OEM: 1223682, 1321517, 1360305, 1508074, 1519528 |
|---|---|
| 1.0 EcoBoost / larger-disc front pads | Ford OEM: 1233679, 1324300, 1332209, 1360254, 1360306 |
| Focus ST (Brembo front caliper) | Different, high-performance compound — not interchangeable with standard pads; confirm via a Ford dealer or ST-specific parts supplier |
Multiple OEM numbers exist for the same position because Ford updated the specification several times across Mk3's production run — any of the listed numbers for your engine and brake package should fit, but a specialist parts lookup against your VIN is the only way to be certain which supersession applies to your specific car.
Common Sizes
| Standard trims (front) | Varies by engine — confirm via VIN |
|---|---|
| ST-Line / sportier trims | Larger front pad and disc package |
| ST performance trim | High-performance compound, larger discs |
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Ford Focus Mk3 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 Ford Brake Pads
The same part, covered across other Ford models.