GMC Acadia License Plate Bulb Size

The GMC Acadia license plate light utilizes 12961 and 168 bulb sizes for the exterior illumination components located at the rear of the vehicle. Available data for the specified lighting hardware covers the period from 2007 through 2019.

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
2017-2019	12961
2007-2016	168

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, 4.9W.	168

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The GMC Acadia uses two different license plate bulb sizes across its model years, with the 168 fitted from 2007-2016 and the 12961 fitted from 2017-2019.
Both the 168 and the 12961 are T10 miniature wedge bulbs, meaning they share the same physical envelope shape and size classification.
Despite sharing the T10 form factor, the two bulbs use different base designations. The 12961 uses a W2.1x9.5d base, which is the standard wedge base specification defined under international IEC/ISO nomenclature.
The 168 is an ANSI-standardized bulb recognized across the United States and Canada, making it widely available through general automotive retail channels.
The 12961 is a Philips part number rather than an ANSI or universal trade number, which means sourcing equivalent replacements may require cross-referencing to confirm base and electrical compatibility.
Both bulbs operate on a 12V circuit, consistent with standard automotive electrical systems.
The wattage between the two types is nearly identical. The 168 is rated at 4.9W and the 12961 at 5W, a difference of 0.1W.
The 2017 GMC Acadia marks the transition point from the 168 to the 12961, which corresponds to a generational redesign of the Acadia platform.
Although the T10 wedge form factor is shared, substituting a 168 for a 12961 or vice versa without confirming base compatibility risks an improper fit in the license plate lamp housing.