Kia Sportage Back Up Light Bulb Size

The Kia Sportage back up light utilizes 921, P21W, and 1156 bulb sizes for the rear illumination system. Available data for the specified components covers the time range from 1995 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
2017-2020	1156
2007-2016	921
2005-2006	1156
1995-2002	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 Kia Sportage backup light specifications reference two bulb types across its model years: the 921 and the 1156, both of which conform to ANSI standards recognized in the United States and Canada.
The 921 is a T15 wedge-base bulb rated at 12 volts and 16 watts. Its wedge base means it is held in place by the socket itself rather than by a locking mechanism such as a bayonet fitting.
The 1156 is a single-filament bulb with a BA15s bayonet base, rated at 12 volts and 21 watts. The BA15s designation indicates a single-contact bayonet cap with a 15mm base width.
At 21 watts, the 1156 draws more power than the 921 at 16 watts. The two bulbs also use physically different base types, meaning they are not interchangeable with each other.
The Kia Sportage used the 921 bulb for the 2007-2016 model years, as well as for the 2023 model year.
The 1156 bulb is specified for the Kia Sportage across the 1995-2006 model years, covering the earliest entries in the specifications.
The 2017-2020 Kia Sportage returns to the 1156 bulb, the same type used in the earliest model years covered by these specifications.
Because the 921 and 1156 use different base configurations, a socket designed for one will not physically accept the other, making base type a critical factor when selecting a replacement bulb.