Hyundai Sonata License Plate Bulb Size

The Hyundai Sonata license plate light uses unique bulb sizes 12961, 168, and 97 depending on the specific version of the vehicle being serviced for maintenance. Available data for the lighting components spans a range from 1989 through 2024 to provide specific details for various production periods.

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
2019-2021	12961
2016-2018	168
1997-2010	168
1989-1996	97

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
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	97

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Hyundai Sonata license plate position uses three distinct bulb types across its production history: the 12961, the 168, and the 97.
The 12961 is a Philips part number for a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. It fits the Hyundai Sonata (2019-2024), with no entry present for 2022 in the specifications.
The 168 is an ANSI-standard T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 4.9W, recognized across the United States and Canada. It fits the Sonata across the 1997-2019 model years, excluding 2011-2015.
Although the 12961 and the 168 share the T10 form factor, they carry different wattage ratings (5W versus 4.9W) and different base designations, which affects direct interchangeability between the two.
The 97 bulb uses a BA15s bayonet base rather than a wedge base, making it physically incompatible with sockets designed for T10 wedge bulbs. It is an ANSI-standard single-filament bulb rated at 12V and 13W.
At 13W, the 97 bulb draws significantly more power than either the 168 or the 12961, reflecting a different electrical load on the vehicle's circuit for the 1989-1996 Sonata model years.
The 97 bulb is noted as a variant of the 1156, a widely used automotive bulb type, though the 1156 itself is not listed as a direct fitment for the Sonata in these specifications.
The BA15s bayonet base of the 97 bulb features a single contact pin, distinguishing it from dual-contact bayonet bases used in other automotive applications.