The Kia Carnival tail light requires a P21/5W bulb size for proper installation and function. Data for 2022 through 2023 provides the specific information for the tail light bulb.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Kia Carnival's inner tail light position uses the 12961 bulb across the 2023-2024 model years. This is a Philips part number designating a miniature wedge-type T10 bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W.
The T10 wedge base on the 12961 is a push-in connector type, meaning the bulb is retained by friction rather than a twist-lock or bayonet mechanism.
The outer tail light position on the 2023-2024 Kia Carnival is specified with the 1157 bulb, an ANSI-standard dual-filament type rated at 12V with a 21W main filament and a 5W secondary filament. Its BAY15d bayonet base features two offset pins to prevent incorrect insertion.
The P21/5W is an ECE-standard bulb used in the outer tail light for the 2022-2023 model years. It shares the BAY15d bayonet base and the same 12V, 21W/5W electrical ratings as the 1157.
Although the 1157 and P21/5W share the BAY15d base and identical voltage and wattage ratings, they originate from different standardization systems. The 1157 follows ANSI standards used in the United States and Canada, while the P21/5W follows ECE standards used in Europe and other markets.
The dual-filament design of both the 1157 and P21/5W allows a single bulb to serve two functions simultaneously, typically combining a brighter stop-light output with a dimmer running-light output within one housing.
The 2023 outer tail light position lists both the 1157 and the P21/5W, indicating that the applicable bulb standard for that year varies by the vehicle's regional market specification.