A friction element includes a friction lining that is connected to a lining carrier, and includes a carrier element, wherein the lining carrier is connected to the carrier element, and a connecting element is also used to connect the lining carrier to the carrier element, the connecting element being guided through a recess in the lining carrier and a recess in the carrier element, and having a connecting element head that is supported on the lining carrier. The lining carrier has a shoulder in the region of the connecting element head, the internal dimension of which shoulder is greater than the external dimension of the connecting element head, such that at least part of the connecting element head is accommodated in the shoulder.