Chevrolet Caprice Tail Light Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Caprice tail light utilizes specific bulb sizes 7443, 2057, and 1157 depending on the specific production era of the vehicle. Available data for the lighting components spans the period from 1966 through 2017.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
2011-2017	7443
1983-1992	2057
1966-1982	1157

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament wedge bulb (T20). 12V, 21W/5W.	7443
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament bulb with BAY15d bayonet base. Brighter variant of 1157. 12V, 26.9W/8W.	2057
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament bulb with BAY15d bayonet base. 12V, 21W/5W.	1157

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Chevrolet Caprice tail light specifications cover three distinct bulb types across the full model range: the 7443, 2057, and 1157.
The 7443 is a dual-filament wedge bulb in the T20 form factor, rated at 12V with filaments drawing 21W and 5W respectively, and it fits the Chevrolet Caprice (2011-2017).
The 1157 is a dual-filament bulb with a BAY15d bayonet base, also rated at 12V with a 21W/5W filament configuration, and it is specified for the Caprice across 1966-1982.
The 2057 shares the same BAY15d bayonet base as the 1157 but operates at higher wattage, with filaments rated at 26.9W and 8W, making it the brighter of the two bayonet-base types.
The 2057 is specified for the Caprice across 1983-1992, placing it between the 1157 era and the later 7443 era in the model's history.
Because the 7443 uses a wedge-style base and the 1157 and 2057 use a BAY15d bayonet base, these bulb types are not physically interchangeable with one another.
Although the 1157 and 2057 share the BAY15d bayonet base, their differing wattage ratings indicate they are not identical in output, and substituting one for the other may affect tail light brightness.
All three bulb types conform to ANSI standards applicable in both the United States and Canada, indicating standardized electrical and physical specifications across those markets.
The dual-filament design present in all three bulb types allows a single bulb to serve two functions, typically combining a lower-intensity running light filament with a higher-intensity brake or turn signal filament.
The shift from the BAY15d-based 1157 and 2057 to the wedge-based 7443 in the 2011-2017 Caprice reflects a change in base type that requires attention when sourcing replacement bulbs for the correct model year.