Chevrolet Malibu License Plate Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Malibu license plate light utilizes unique bulb sizes 12961, 194, 97, 1155, and 67 depending on the specific production period for the vehicle. Available data covers a range from 1964 through 2024 for the various components listed in the provided specifications.

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
2023-2024	12961
2016-2021	12961
1997-2007	194
1978-1983	194
1977	97
1974-1976	194
1973	97
1966-1967	1155
1964-1965	67

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	97
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 21W.	1155
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Lower wattage variant of 1156. 12V, 8W.	67

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Chevrolet Malibu license plate position uses three distinct bulb families across its production history: the T10 miniature wedge type, and the BA15s bayonet base type, reflecting changes in socket design between model generations.
The 194 bulb is an ANSI-standardized T10 miniature wedge operating at 12V and 3.78W. It is the most frequently specified bulb in the Chevrolet Malibu license plate position, covering model years 1974-1976, 1978-1983, 1997-2007.
The 12961 is a Philips-designated T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. It is specified for the Chevrolet Malibu across model years 2016-2024, excluding 2022.
Both the 194 and 12961 share the T10 wedge form factor, though their wattage ratings differ at 3.78W and 5W respectively. Despite this physical similarity, the 12961 carries a manufacturer-specific part number rather than an ANSI designation, which is relevant to fitment decisions.
The BA15s bayonet base is a single-contact base type used in three bulbs specified for earlier Malibu model years. The 67, 97, and 1155 bulbs all use this base, making them physically interchangeable at the socket level, though their wattage ratings differ significantly.
The 1155 bulb, specified for the 1966-1967 Malibu, operates at 12V and 21W, the highest wattage of any bulb in these specifications. It is an ANSI-standard variant of the 1156 bulb family with a BA15s base.
The 67 bulb, specified for the 1964-1965 Malibu, operates at 12V and 8W. It is also an ANSI-standard 1156-family variant with a BA15s base, rated at the lowest wattage among the three BA15s types listed.
The 97 bulb, specified for the 1973 and 1977 Malibu, operates at 12V and 13W. Its wattage places it between the 67 and 1155 within the BA15s bayonet group, and it is likewise an ANSI-standard 1156-family variant.
The 1973 and 1977 Malibu are the only two model years in these specifications assigned the 97 bulb, while surrounding years within the same era use the 194 wedge type, indicating a socket difference specific to those model years.
The W2.1x9.5d base designation on the 12961 refers to a wedge base with a 2.1mm wire width and 9.5mm pin spacing, which is the standard geometry for T10 wedge bulbs and is dimensionally consistent with the 194 socket type.