Kia Rio Back Up Light Bulb Size

The Kia Rio back up light utilizes 921, P21W, and 1156 bulb sizes for the rear illumination system. Available data for the specified components covers a span from 2001 through 2023.

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	921
2019-2020	921
2006-2011	921
2001-2002	1156

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Wedge bulb (T15). 12V, 16W.	921
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. 12V, 21W.	1156

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 921 is the most frequently specified back up light bulb across the Kia Rio model years listed, appearing in nine of the eleven entries.
The 921 bulb follows the ANSI standard recognized in both the US and Canada, uses a T15 wedge base, and operates at 12 volts with a 16-watt output.
A T15 wedge base is a plastic-tipped terminal that inserts directly into a socket without a separate metal base, making it a common format in modern automotive lighting.
The Kia Rio (2006-2011) and the 2019, 2020, and 2023 model years all share the 921 bulb specification for the back up light position.
The 2001-2002 Kia Rio uses the 1156 bulb rather than the 921, representing a different fitment requirement from the later model years.
The 1156 bulb also follows the ANSI standard for the US and Canada, operates at 12 volts, and draws 21 watts, making it a higher-wattage unit than the 921.
The 1156 uses a BA15s bayonet base, a single-contact mount that locks into its socket with a twist, and is not interchangeable with the T15 wedge base of the 921.
Because the 921 and 1156 use physically different base types, a bulb specified for the 2001-2002 Rio is not a direct fit for any of the other listed model years, and vice versa.