The Kia Optima side marker utilizes a 12961 bulb size for the lighting components located on the exterior of the vehicle. Data for the specific bulb requirements covers the period from 2001 through 2019.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Kia Optima uses the 168 bulb for both front and rear side marker positions across all listed model years.
The 168 bulb is an ANSI-standard miniature wedge type, classified under the T10 form factor, rated at 12 volts and 4.9 watts.
The T10 wedge base is a pin-free design that seats directly into a wedge-style socket, making installation tool-free in most housings.
Front side marker fitment on the Kia Optima is consistent across the 2001-2020 model years listed, with no sub-variant conditions noted for that position.
Rear side marker fitment for the 2017 and 2018 Optima is conditional, applying only to vehicles with single projector-type headlamps or without LED tail lights, indicating that trim level affects bulb socket presence.
The 2019 Optima rear side marker carries two separate fitment entries: one for vehicles with halogen capsule headlamps and one for units produced from May 4, 2018 onward, reflecting a mid-cycle production change.
The 2020 Optima rear side marker fitment is specified only for vehicles equipped with halogen capsule headlamps, suggesting that other headlamp configurations on that model year do not use a conventional bulb in that position.
The 2006 rear side marker entry carries a production date qualifier of December 1, 2005, and the 2001 entry carries one of October 1, 2000, indicating mid-year production starts for those respective model years.
At 4.9 watts, the 168 bulb draws minimal current, which is typical for side marker applications where continuous illumination is required without significant electrical load.
The ANSI designation of the 168 bulb confirms it meets standardized performance criteria recognized across the United States and Canada, meaning equivalent bulbs from different manufacturers share the same electrical and physical specifications.