Hyundai Santa Fe License Plate Bulb Size

The Hyundai Santa Fe license plate light utilizes 12961 and 168 bulb sizes for the exterior illumination system. Available information covers the production span from 2001 through 2023 for the specified vehicle components.

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	12961
2001-2012	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 Hyundai Santa Fe uses two different license plate bulb types across its model years: the 12961 for 2013-2023 and the 168 for 2001-2012.
Both the 12961 and 168 share the same T10 miniature wedge form factor, meaning they occupy the same physical bulb category despite carrying different part designations.
The 12961 is a Philips part number rather than an ANSI industry standard designation, and it specifies a W2.1x9.5d base with a 12V, 5W rating.
The 168 follows the ANSI standard used in the United States and Canada, operating at 12V and 4.9W, a wattage rating marginally lower than that of the 12961.
Although both bulbs share the T10 wedge profile, the 12961 carries a manufacturer-specific base designation (W2.1x9.5d), which warrants attention when sourcing a replacement, as not all T10 wedges are confirmed interchangeable across these two part numbers.
The 0.1W difference between the 12961 (5W) and the 168 (4.9W) is negligible in practical terms, but the base specification of the 12961 is the more relevant factor in determining fitment compatibility.
The license plate bulb position is a low-current, always-on-when-headlights-are-active circuit, making the 5W and 4.9W ratings typical for this application across the automotive industry.
The Hyundai Santa Fe (2013) marks the transition point between the two bulb types, with the 12961 introduced that year and maintained without change through 2023.