Ford Explorer Back Up Light Bulb Size

The Ford Explorer back up light uses bulb sizes 7440, 5201, 921, 2456, 3156, and 2356 depending on the specific version. Available data covers the range from 1991 to 2023.

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
2013-2023	7440
2011-2012	5201
2006-2010	921
2005	2456
2004	3156
2000-2003	2456
1998-1999	3156
1997	2356
1995-1996	2456
1994	3156
1991-1993	2456

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament wedge bulb (T20). 12V, 21W.	7440
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament halogen bulb with PG20-1 base. 12V, 19W.	5201
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Wedge bulb (T15). 12V, 16W.	921
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, specialty application. 12V.	2456
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament wedge bulb (T25). 12V, 27W.	3156
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament bulb with BAY15d bayonet base. 12V.	2356

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Ford Explorer back up light specifications cover model years 1991 through 2023, with six distinct bulb sizes used across that span.
The 7440 is the most widely used bulb in these specifications, fitting the Ford Explorer from 2013 through 2023. It is a single-filament T20 wedge bulb rated at 12V and 21W, conforming to ANSI standards for the US and Canada.
The 2456 appears across multiple non-consecutive model years and is a 12V festoon bulb designated for specialty applications under the ANSI standard.
The 3156 is a single-filament T25 wedge bulb rated at 12V and 27W. It is the highest-wattage bulb among those listed in these specifications.
The 921 is a T15 wedge bulb rated at 12V and 16W, fitting the 2006-2009 Explorer. It operates at a lower wattage than both the 7440 and the 3156.
The 5201 uses a PG20-1 base rather than a wedge mount, which distinguishes it physically from the other bulbs in these specifications. It is rated at 12V and 19W and fits the 2011-2012 Explorer.
The 2356, used on the 1997 Ford Explorer, is the only dual-filament bulb in these specifications. It uses a BAY15d bayonet base, a mounting style not shared by any other bulb listed here.
Because the 7440 (T20 wedge), 921 (T15 wedge), and 3156 (T25 wedge) all use wedge-style bases, their physical base types are not interchangeable despite the shared mounting category, as each corresponds to a different bulb body size.
The PG20-1 base of the 5201 and the BAY15d bayonet base of the 2356 are each unique among the bulbs listed, meaning neither is a drop-in substitute for any other bulb in these specifications.
All six bulb sizes in these specifications conform to ANSI standards applicable in the US and Canada and operate on a 12V electrical system.