Rear Brakes? Really?
 

I have a 2016 Camry with 50k miles. I started noticing a suspicious brake noise, so I started by inspecting the fronts. Not bad, some even wear, rotors smooth & o.k. Then on to the rears, where the outside pad on each side was nearly down to metal, and the inside pads were pretty far down also. I figured the guide pins were the problem, so checked them out for good condition/grease. I also worked the pistons a few times, by alternately clamping them down, releasing, pumping the brake pedal, etc, to make sure they were moving all right. Replaced the scored rotor, all pads, clips, used anti-seize and grease where it belongs.
I know that if the equipment isn't right, a pad can wear out in no time, but what gets me is the sheer amount of wear on rear brakes at 50k!,and the way they went before the fronts! I have a light foot on the pedal, and I'm used to going many more miles on brakes. I also have always seen the fronts wear out at least twice before the rears. Is Toyota using some real cheapo original equipment in for the rear pads?

A car maker can adjust braking proportionality and size to have rear or front wear faster. Newer Camry models can have more wear on rear then front.

If both rear sides had the same wear then assume its "normal."

Toyota pads are normally top notch!

Very interesting, I didn't know they did that. I always assumed that more wear would occur on the front brakes because that's where the weight is.

In the past this was true but no longer with some cars. One can use smaller rear brakes and thus they would wear faster. Why who knows. Might be a weight/cost saving issue or trying to lower unsprung weight.

I have a 2003 suburban 4x4, original owner , where the rear wears faster from day 1.
Nothing wrong and brakes work great. Little trailer hauling.

I like it since the rears are cheaper in price and the fronts last longer.

Maybe its the brake proportionality. That makes sense.