Honda Pilot License Plate Bulb Size

The Honda Pilot license plate light uses 7443, 12961, and 168 bulb sizes depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Available data for the bulb sizes covers the range from 2003 to 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
2016-2017	7443
2009-2015	12961
2003-2007	168

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament wedge bulb (T20). 12V, 21W/5W.	7443
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 Honda Pilot uses three distinct license plate bulb types across its model years: the 7443, 12961, and 168.
The 12961 is designated by a Philips part number rather than an ANSI standard, making it a manufacturer-specific reference. It is a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W, and it fits the Honda Pilot for model years 2009-2015.
The 168 is an ANSI-standard T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 4.9W. It fits the Honda Pilot for model years 2003-2007.
Although both the 12961 and 168 share the T10 wedge form factor and operate at 12V, their wattage ratings differ slightly (5W versus 4.9W), and the 12961 carries a specific base designation (W2.1x9.5d) that the 168 listing does not reference. These are not confirmed as interchangeable.
The 7443 is an ANSI-standard T20 dual-filament wedge bulb rated at 12V and 21W/5W. It fits the Honda Pilot for model years 2016-2017.
The 7443 is a dual-filament bulb, meaning it contains two separate filaments within a single envelope, each operating at a different wattage (21W and 5W). This design is typically associated with bulbs that serve more than one lighting function, which is an atypical characteristic for a license plate application.
The 7443 operates at a significantly higher wattage than either the 12961 or the 168, and its T20 housing is physically larger than the T10 form factor used in earlier Pilot model years. These differences make the 7443 incompatible as a substitute for the 12961 or 168.